Heritage Council

The Heritage Council of Victoria provides the highest level of legal protection for cultural heritage places and objects in Victoria.

As an independent statutory authority, the Heritage Council of Victoria is the State's main decision-making body on cultural (non-Indigenous) heritage issues.

10 members are appointed by the Governor-in-Council upon the recommendation of the Minister for Planning.

The Heritage Council of Victoria receives professional advice and administrative support from Heritage Victoria.

Functions

• Acts as the primary source of advice to the Minister for Planning on heritage issues
• Decides which places and objects are added to the Victorian Heritage Register, and operates in accordance with the Victorian Heritage Act.
• Hears appeals on permit applications determined by Heritage Victoria
• Approve or reject recommendations for loans and grants from the Heritage Fund for registered heritage places
• Promotes public understanding of Victoria's cultural heritage and conducts community education and information programs.

Victorian Heritage Register (VHR)

To be included in the Victorian Heritage Register, places and objects must meet the assessment criteria of the Heritage Council. Places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register are generally considered to be of 'statewide' significance. In other words, of importance to understanding the history of Victoria.

Types of places and objects included on the Victorian Heritage Register

• Buildings and places
• Objects
• Gardens and trees
• Cemeteries
• Precincts
• Archaeological places and relics
• Shipwrecks, relics and protected zones

Heritage Council committees

Heritage Council protocols

Heritage Council Address 2009

For more information about the Heritage Council, download Registration by the Heritage Council (PDF 295Kb)