On 7 August 2024 Council resolved to proceed with a Planning Proposal to implement the recommendations of the Wingecarribee Community Heritage Study 2021-23, as adopted. On 26 June 2025 the NSW Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure issued a Gateway Determination to progress the Planning Proposal to public exhibition.

The planning proposal was on public exhibition from 22 October to 7 December 2025. Council is currently reviewing the submissions received and will provide a report to the Local Planning Panel and then to Council in the first quarter of 2026. The public exhibition documents can be viewed on the NSW Planning Portal.

A Political Donations and Gifts Declaration Form is required to be included with every submission.

Council has not been given delegation to finalise the Planning Proposal. Therefore, following Council's decision it will be resubmitted to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation.

The tabs above provide a narrative of the background and milestones of the Community Heritage Study 2021-23. Click on a tab heading to learn more.

Background to the Wingecarribee Community Heritage Study 2021-23 Project

Wingecarribee Shire, known for its charming landscapes and heritage, partnered with local volunteers to identify potential heritage sites. The resulting draft Wingecarribee Community Heritage Study examined over 600 locations and proposed new conservation areas.

Following review by Council and Planning Panels, the draft study underwent public consultation with property owners and the community in September to November 2023. The draft study documents, as exhibited, are available for viewing and download in the Document Library at the bottom of this page. The documents include the Main Report that contains details of the study team and study methodology, and volumes contains the heritage assessments and evidence sheets for the 603 properties included in the study, as well as a volume containing information about the proposed conservation areas.

Consultation & Public Exhibition 2023

Consultations on the Community Heritage Study with affected owners and the wider community commenced in September 2023. The consultations aimed to:

• Share study findings and recommendations with property owners and the community.
• Answer owner questions about their properties and heritage implications.
• Address owner concerns and gather additional historical information.
• Receive written feedback on the study.

Owners of properties that were identified of potential heritage significance within the study received letters with details on consultation sessions. These consultations were held September - October 2023.

Owners and other members of the community were able to engage with the project team through drop-in information kiosks run in various locations across the Wingecarribee Shire.

Public submissions were encouraged regardless of support, opposition, or additional information to share. The deadline initially set for 6 November 2023, was extended to 20 November 2023, to accommodate those attending November drop-in information kiosks.

Peer Review Public Exhibition 2024

Public exhibition of the Peer Review Report prepared by independent heritage consultant, Robert Staas, was held from 1-30 June 2024. Submissions to the public exhibition were evaluated by Robert Staas in a report presented to the Local Planning Panel on 15-16 July 2024 and thereafter to Council on 7 August 2024.

Further information about the Peer Review process is available under the "Peer Review" tab.

Commencement of Peer Review

Following public exhibition of the Draft Community Heritage Study 2021-23 in 2023, Council committed to an independent review. In early 2024, Mr. Robert Staas, a qualified heritage expert with over 40 years of experience and a nationally recognised heritage expert, was appointed to conduct the review. Further information about the appointment of Mr Robert Staas can be found at Council’s media centre here.

All public submissions and draft study materials were considered in the peer review. To address complexity and ensure a thorough review, Council adjusted the initial timeline at the March 2024 Council Meeting.

Results of Peer Review considered by Local Planning Panel

The Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel considered the Independent Peer Review of the Draft Wingecarribee Community Heritage Study 2021-23 at an Extraordinary Meeting held on 29 and 30 May 2024. A number of affected owners addressed the Panel on 29 May and the Panel provided its advice on 30 May.

The Agenda and Minutes for this meeting are available from Council's website. The recording of the Local Planning Panel livestream (in 3 parts) can also be viewed on Council's YouTube channel.

Public Exhibition of Peer Review

Council's Community Heritage Study 2021-23—Independent Peer Review 2024 underwent public exhibition between 31 May and 30 June 2024. The Peer Review documents as exhibited are available in the Document Library at the bottom of this page.

Peer Review Update considered by Council

An update report on the Community Heritage Study and Peer Review was considered at the Council meeting of Wednesday 19 June 2024. This report provides background to the Study and provides a summary of the Local Planning Panel consideration of the Independent Peer Review that was held on 29 and 30 May 2024. The resolution includes the following reference to the proposed Northern and Southern Extensions to the Berrima Landscape Conservation Area and the Sutton Forest/Exeter Landscape Conservation Area:

THAT

...

3. It be noted that the staff advised that the recommendation to the Panel in relation to the Peer Review will be that the proposed Berrima Landscape Conservation Area North and South Extensions and proposed Exeter/Sutton Forest Landscape Conservation Area be deferred for further investigations and separate consultations by June 2025.

A copy of the 19 June Council Meeting Agenda, Attachments and Minutes is available on Council's website.

Results of Public Exhibition considered by Local Planning Panel

On 15 and 16 July 2024 the Local Planning Panel considered a report on the results of the public exhibition that was undertaken throughout June of the Independent Peer Review 2024 of the Draft Community Heritage Study 2021-23. The Panel considered submissions made to the public exhibition and a report on the submissions by the independent peer reviewer and the meeting included a public forum where a number of affected owners addressed the Panel on 15 July. The Agenda and Minutes to that Meeting are available under the 15 & 16 July 2024 heading on the Local Planning Panel page on Council's website.

The advice provided by the Local Planning Panel at this meeting were included and considered by Council at its meeting of 7 August 2024.

Community Heritage Study endorsed by Council

On 7 August 2024 Council considered a report on the results of the public exhibition of the independent Peer Review of the Community Heritage Study 2021-23 that included the Local Planning Panel's recommendations from the Extraordinary Local Planning Panel meeting of 15 and 16 July 2024.

Council's decision included:

• Support for the heritage listing of 408 new sites and the addition of new heritage elements to four existing heritage listed sites.
• Support for eight new heritage conservation areas in Bowral, Burradoo, Exeter, Kangaloon, Robertson and Wildes Meadow and proposed extensions to existing heritage conservation areas in Bowral, Bundanoon and Mittagong.
• Identification of a number of items in the Study for further investigation and consultation.
• Endorsement of a Planning Proposal to give statutory effect to Council's recommendations.

The full resolution is available to view here.

Extracts from the Agenda, Attachments and Minutes of the 7 August 2024 meeting relating to the Peer Review and the Community Heritage Study are available from the Document Library at the bottom of the page. Full versions of the Agenda, Attachments and Minutes from the meeting are available on Council's website.