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 Infrastructure and Development Act 2016.

Heritage Standards are published in accordance with the Planning Infrastructure and Development 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.

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 development of Mount Torrens 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.

View a map of the Mount Torrens State Heritage Area Map

Mount Torrens was declared a State Heritage Area on 5 December 2002. It is significant as a relatively intact example of a 19th century settlement town in the Adelaide Hills. It also has associations with South Australia's transport history, particularly the River Murray steamer trade, and with the life and work of George Dunn.

visit the Mount Torrens State Heritage Area webpage 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 Infrastructure and Development Act 2016 and the Planning Development 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.

*Legally, 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 conversation 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 Mount Torrens State Heritage Area in time. Rather, it will make sure proposed development reflects its heritage values.

Yes, it can be changed in future.

Heritage South Australia can make minor administrative changes at its discretion, such as correcting a mistake or making small edits 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.