Frequently Asked Questions

A State Heritage Area is a clearly defined region with outstanding natural or cultural features significant to South Australia's development and cultural identity. 

A State Heritage Area may include early or important settlements, significant towns or suburbs of heritage value, or natural landscapes. State Heritage Areas are notable for their distinct heritage character or 'sense of place', formed by:

•    buildings and structures

•    spaces and allotments

•    patterns of streets

•    natural features or the developed landscape.

State Heritage Areas are protected by the Heritage Places Act 1993 and through the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. 

Heritage Standards are published in accordance with the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016  and its Planning and Design Code (the Code). They are a supplementary assessment tool of the Code and are referenced in the State Heritage Area Overlay. The Code uses overlays, such as State Heritage Area overlays, to identify areas where specific planning policies apply or are subject to referral to allow for a specialised assessment. This addresses characteristics of a location, like heritage values, that are not fully covered by standard zoning laws.

Proposals to undertake development within a State Heritage Area may be referred by the relevant authority (such as the local council) to the Minister responsible for administering the Heritage Places Act 1993, for consideration of impact on the heritage values of the State Heritage Area.

Heritage South Australia in the Department for Environment and Water is the Minister’s delegate for advice on referred development applications. Generally, Heritage South Australia can support the proposal and direct conditions of approval, or direct refusal if heritage values are unacceptably compromised. The Heritage Standard forms a key part of Heritage South Australia’s assessment of the heritage impact of referred development proposals. 

The Heritage Standard is presented in three parts:

1. Background – the historical and geological (if applicable) development of the area and the principles that underpin the State Heritage Area listing.
2. Statement of Significance – the South Australian Heritage Register listing and the context and description of the heritage values.
3. Heritage Standards for Development – Principles and Acceptable Standards for development.

Heritage South Australia is in the process of developing Heritage Standards for all State Heritage Areas, replacing the current guidelines for development.

Heritage Standards do not replace other documents used by local councils.

The Beltana State Heritage Area includes the township and the nearby cemetery and railway structures. 

View a map of the Beltana State Heritage Area boundary.

Beltana was designated as a State Heritage Area under the South Australian Heritage Act 1978-1980 in 1987. It was declared in recognition of its significance as a link with many important episodes in South Australia's history. Beltana is an example of a rural settlement established as a communication and transport hub, and a regional centre for mining and pastoral endeavours in the region. The combination of buildings and street layout, which is characteristic of South Australian parkland towns, contributes to the character of Beltana. 

See Department for Environment and Water - Beltana state heritage area for more details.

Although State Heritage Areas are protected under legislation, places within the area can be developed if the work complements the heritage values of the area.

Development is defined by the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, and the Planning Development and Infrastructure (general) Regulations 2017 and includes:

• building work 
• the demolition, removal, conversion, alteration or painting of, or addition to a State Heritage Place*
• any work that could materially affect the heritage value of the place. 

If a property owner is undertaking works that are considered development, an application for development approval is lodged with the relevant planning authority, such as the local council or the State Planning Commission.

Applications for development approval in a State Heritage Area that impact on the heritage values of the State Heritage Place may be referred, by the relevant planning authority, to the Minister responsible for the Heritage Places Act 1993. The Minister delegates the provision of advice to Heritage South Australia in the Department for Environment and Water.

*Any property within a State Heritage Area is also considered a State Heritage Place. 

If an area is listed as a State Heritage Area under the Heritage Places Act 1993 this does not prevent change to the area. In fact, an objective of the Act is:

to encourage sustainable use and adaptation of heritage places in a manner consistent with high standards of conservation practice, the retention of their heritage significance, and relevant development policies. 

Compatible development is one of the best ways to keep properties within State Heritage Areas maintained, used and enjoyed into the future.

Property owners can refer to the Heritage Standard as a guide when they are planning to alter or repair their properties or undertake new construction.

The Heritage Standard will not freeze the State Heritage Areas in time. Rather, it will make sure proposed development reflects the heritage values of the areas.

Yes, it can be changed in the future.

Heritage South Australia can make minor administrative changes at its discretion, such as making a small correction or edit to the history in the background section of the Heritage Standard.

Significant changes, including updating the Statement of Significance or changing the acceptable standards of development, can only be made following public consultation with landowners and key stakeholders. Changes to the Statement of Significance also require approval from the South Australian Heritage Council.

The current Beltana State Heritage Area Guidelines for Development will be replaced with the new Heritage Standard once finalised. 

The Guidelines for Development for the Beltana State Heritage Area have been used to create the new Heritage Standard. The Heritage Standard has been updated to make sure the terminology is consistent with the Planning and Design Code and that the content of the Heritage Standard better reflects the Beltana State Heritage Area’s Statement of Heritage Significance.

The updates also highlight the purpose of the Heritage Standard as an assessment tool for Heritage South Australia’s heritage architects/officers, as delegates of the Minister, and include a more detailed description of the heritage features of the Beltana State Heritage Area, as a context for providing advice.