The Heritage Council of NSW has adopted 6 principles to guide heritage policy development, decision making, adaptation and rapid response to the impacts of climate change on heritage places into the future.

Over 100 stakeholders responded to our Preparing heritage places for climate change impacts survey. The survey sought feedback draft climate change principles and a draft action plan. Responses were received from a range of stakeholders including heritage professionals (from local or state government, as well as the private sector), heritage property owners, community members, heritage enthusiasts and representatives of professional/heritage groups. Most stakeholders surveyed supported the draft climate change principles and draft action plan.

Our stakeholder engagement told us that the majority of those surveyed considered preparing heritages places for the impacts of climate change as important. Most respondents reported that their heritage place had been impacted by climate change and is likely to be impacted in the future. The biggest impacts respondents were concerned about were fire, flooding, winds/storms, extreme heat and drought. Most respondents also agreed that it is important for Heritage NSW to assist owners and managers to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

As a result of the stakeholder engagement, the Heritage Council of NSW adopted 6 climate change principles in August 2023. Heritage NSW is implementing these principles through a climate change action plan. The actions in the plan are designed to:

• build the capacity of Heritage NSW and heritage place owners and managers to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change
• support and provide guidance on the sustainable ongoing use and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings.

To read the principles and for more information on climate change and heritage, see the Heritage NSW website.