Statements of heritage impact

Preparing a Statement
of Heritage Impact

Bay Run - Sisters Bay, Sydney

Professional experience
In recent years Noel Ruting, Director of LandArc, has prepared a number of Statements of Heritage Impact (SOHI) and Heritage Reviews for local government.

Notably, many of these reports have described places defined by a broad spectrum of natural, cultural and Aboriginal archaeological heritage significance.

What is a Statement of Heritage Impact?
A Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) allows an examination of the impact or impacts of any given proposal on a heritage item or place. The SOHI provides a basis for informed decision-making, particularly addressing the question of whether the proposal should proceed.

Under environmental planning provisions, prior to granting consent to a development application, a council must give consideration to how the development may impact on the heritage significance of a heritage item or conservation area. A Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) provides information to assist assessment and determination of such applications.

The SOHI explains how the heritage value of an item is to be conserved, or preferably enhanced by the proposal. Alternatively, where proposed work is likely to be detrimental to heritage significance, the SOHI must clearly state why the action is the only viable solution (NSW Heritage Branch, 2012).

Statements of Heritage Impact are prepared in accordance with the Heritage Branch publication - Statements of Heritage Impact, and heritage best practice as per the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter. These reports also follow the guidelines of the Australian Natural Heritage Charter (1996) and Natural Heritage Places Handbook (1999) and other Heritage Council guidelines for assessing heritage significance.