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Local Government

The Heritage Council and Heritage Tasmania work closely with local governments across Tasmania. We are all part of the Resource Management and Planning System (RMPS) and share the same RMPS objectives. The role of local and state government is integrated but each has its own role to play in protecting Tasmania's historic heritage.

State significance

Discretionary permit applications for works to places entered in the Tasmanian Heritage Register are lodged with the local council (planning authority). The local council refers the application to the Heritage Council (via Heritage Tasmania) for assessment of heritage impacts. The local council is responsible for the processing of the application, including advertising, and issues the planning determination at the conclusion of the process, which incorporates the Heritage Council's decision.

Applications for minor works approvals (previously called Certificates of Exemption prior to 2025) are lodged directly with Heritage Tasmania. Once determined, a copy of the decision is provided to the local council to keep them informed of approvals granted for any works and development. In some instances, depending on the use and works proposed, the applicant will also need to apply to the local council for planning, building or plumbing approvals. But with a minor works approval in place, these processes should not require further referral to the Heritage Council unless the scope of works changes.

Local significance

Local councils (planning authorities) have responsibility under the RMPS to identify places that are of local heritage significance and to use the provisions of the Local Historic Heritage Code to afford these places protection under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. Where a place is listed on both the Tasmanian Heritage Register and the Local Historic Heritage Code, the local code provisions do not apply; the place is only subject to the State level heritage provisions under the Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995.

Planners employed by local councils are encouraged to contact Heritage Tasmania if they have questions about regulatory processes relating to State listed heritage places