Conservation Principles

It is important to respect the significant elements of a place when considering making changes or developing it to meet contemporary needs.

These elements help tell the story of a place’s history and its role in the development of this State. These elements may differ in significance and will differ from place to place. The significant elements of a place are identified in the assessment documentation.

So if you are considering making changes to place, here are some basic principles to consider:

• Is the new work easily distinguishable from the old? New work should complement a building's original scale, form and massing, and ensure that the original fabric is easily identifiable.  New work that mimics the original is not considered good practice.
• Are the alterations reversible? In some cases, it may be preferable to introduce changes that can be removed.
• Am I respecting all significant periods of construction of the place? Often places have been changed over time and certain sections of a place will vary in construction depending on when they were built. These changes are part of the historical development of the place and may contribute to its overall significance.