The National Trust welcomes recent moves by local councils to recognise heritage places across NSW.
The first step in preserving heritage is identification, which is why formal recognition of the significance of heritage places is vital to their protection. With the rollout of the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program, the impact of new heritage listings and Heritage Conservation Areas (HCA) by local councils has become increasingly important in helping protect historic places throughout the state from planning changes.
In positive news for heritage, a number of local councils in NSW have recently proposed new heritage listings and HCAs on their Local Environmental Plans (LEP).
In Berry, 18 new heritage listings and one new HCA have been proposed by Shoalhaven Council, while Goulburn Mulwaree Council have proposed the listing of 37 new heritage items and one new HCA to its LEP. On this diverse list are modern houses, bus shelters and several barns.
In 2024, the National Trust responded to the NSW Government’s Housing Reforms policy, highlighting the impact of the proposed Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program on historic areas adjacent to the railway stations identified in the program. One of the case studies was Croydon Station, in particular, the impact the proposal could have on The Strand.
In our submission the National Trust noted:
The Strand – Sydney’s best preserved Federation shopping street, and the adjacent conservation area, will be completely destroyed by the TOD proposal, while Burwood (one station west) has been the focus of most recent development and community infrastructure and is not identified in the TOD program at all.
Earlier this year, Burwood Council resolved to take the next step to formally protect The Strand in Croydon by initiating its Group Heritage Listing. This distinctive street features rows of shops in the Federation style and a line of palm trees running down the centre strip. It was originally constructed in 1909 as the commercial area of the Malvern Hill Estate, which was designed as a ‘model suburb’ comprised of elegant tiled-roof houses and tree-lined streets.
While The Strand is currently located in a HCA, it is not formally listed as a heritage item. A formal heritage listing would afford The Strand enhanced heritage protection under planning legislation. This action by Burwood Council reflects the community’s support for heritage recognition and the area’s valued heritage character.
While the National Trust welcomes actions taken by Local Councils to formally recognise the heritage significance of local items, we remain concerned that HCAs are still excluded from protection from the TOD planning changes. The National Trust will continue to advocate for the conservation of these distinctive features of our urban landscape.
