Heritage advisorsWhat is the role o

Heritage advisors
What is the role of a heritage advisor?
The heritage advisor works with the council to develop and deliver a heritage policy and heritage strategy, and advises the council, the community and owners of heritage properties on good heritage and urban design management in a local government area Heritage advisors provide regular and ongoing expertise to councils, communities and owners of heritage properties and assist in promoting urban design and heritage in the area.
Many successful and ongoing partnerships between local and state governments and communities have been developed through the employment of heritage advisors. Most local councils across NSW have access to a part-time heritage advisor or employ a full-time heritage officer.

How does a heritage advisor operate?
Heritage advisors are appointed by, and report, to local councils. They are mostly appointed on a part-time basis. In rural areas, most advisors visit on a one-day-a-month basis; in urban areas more frequent visits are common. At the start of a heritage advisor program and during times of heavy workload, extra time may be needed to ensure the program operates smoothly.

Although accessible to all council staff, the advisor will normally report to one senior officer e.g. the Director of Environmental Services.
A heritage advisor will initially work with council staff and management to develop a heritage policy and heritage strategy to establish:
• the areas that the council and the heritage advisor will address
• who will be involved
• community interests and expectations regarding heritage outcomes
• resources needed to implement the strategy.

Depending on the council and its needs, the heritage strategy may be very simple or more developed.
With an agreed strategic and operational framework established, the advisor will normally spend the morning with council staff such as planners, health and building inspectors and engineers, looking at current building and development applications which include heritage items.
The afternoon will normally be devoted to inspecting sites and providing advice directly to owners, usually on an appointment basis. The advisor may also be required to attend committee meetings, especially when heritage committees have been established.
A very important part of the advisor’s role is to ensure that the council and the local community have adequate access to heritage-focused education, management and promotion. It is expected, for example, that the advisor will arrange for special training sessions for council staff and local professionals, local councillors and the community.

Advisors can be very helpful in assisting committees to set up community education programs. They can also liaise with the council and the Local Government & Shires Associations in setting up training programs for staff and councillors (see recommendation 7).

How does the heritage advisor make a difference?
The heritage advisor can educate councils, heritage owners and the community about heritage in a positive, thoughtful and knowledgeable way. They can offer solutions and positive leadership to help councils manage their heritage, by providing advice on and input into heritage strategies and policies and by providing site-specific detailed heritage advice
on heritage development applications.
The advisor can liaise with owners about heritage and urban design issues before development proposals are initiated, at pre-development stage and before the project is finalised. These consultations can save money and help avoid potential conflict with the council.
The advisor can also advise on colour schemes for, and minor repairs to, heritage items.
If the council runs a local heritage fund (see recommendation 5), the advisor can assess the applications to help the council decide on funding priorities. The advisor can also suggest or promote projects which might not otherwise occur, e.g. preparing an application for main street program funding, heritage awards schemes or heritage interpretive plaques
or brochures

How can the council apply for funding assistance for a heritage advisor?
Councils can apply for funding under the NSW Heritage Grants Program – see
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Heritage/funding/index.htm , email
heritage@heritage.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 9873 8577.

More information
Visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Heritage/funding/locgovheritagemgt.htm and look under
‘Heritage advisors’, email heritage@heritage.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 9873 8577.