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Practical guides, policy updates, and expert commentary on the changing world of heritage. Essential reading for property owners, architects, and planners.


The Early Years of the Victorian National Trust and the Securing of Tasma Terrace, 1956–73
Exploring how the Victorian National Trust reshaped heritage for postwar Melburnians and ultimately found its home at Tasma Terrace.
4 days ago4 min read


Working with Victorian State Heritage: A Strategic Guide
Successfully developing a state-listed heritage property requires more than just good design; it demands strategic navigation of Victoria's complex statutory frameworks. Discover how to unlock the value of heritage places by mastering the permit, exemption, and compliance pathways.
Jul 293 min read


Introducing the 2026 Victorian Local Heritage Guidelines
The newly released Victorian Local Heritage Guidelines have officially replaced PPN01. We break down what this means for strategic assessments, housing targets, and resolving planning conflicts.
Jul 154 min read


The Evolution of the Heritage Overlay in Parkville and Melbourne
Dr James Lesh examines the origins of Melbourne's first urban conservation area in South Parkville. This retrospective examines how early resident advocacy and evolving municipal policies shaped the precinct-based heritage protections we rely on today.
Jul 83 min read


Heritage Enforcement: The Legacy of the Corkman Pub Demolition and Rebuild
Following an interview with Nine News Melbourne, Dr James Lesh examines the Corkman rebuild, the resulting planning reforms, and the realities of facsimile heritage.
Jun 293 min read


The Definitive Guide to Hiring a Heritage Consultant in Victoria
Engaging a heritage consultant is a pivotal decision for any project in Victoria. Whether you are renovating a family home or masterplanning a commercial site, this guide outlines the expertise required to ensure statutory compliance and project success.
Jun 32 min read


The economics of heritage laws and housing supply
How much heritage is too much? For economists, the challenge lies in correctly conceptualising and measuring the impacts of heritage.
May 255 min read


Heritage-Led Placemaking in Victorian Growth Corridors: conserving Rockbank Inn at Woodlea
By integrating the 1850s Rockbank Inn ruins into a modern masterplan, the Woodlea estate demonstrates how historical assets provide new suburbs with genuine character. We explore the strategic advantage of using heritage as a cultural anchor across scales of development.
May 133 min read


Book Review: Old North Melbourne by Fiona Gatt
Dr James Lesh reviews Fiona Gatt’s "Old North Melbourne," exploring how deep archival research recovers the complex nineteenth-century history of this inner-Melbourne suburb.
Apr 134 min read


Repainting Your Heritage Home? Here is What You Need to Know
This is what you need to know before you pick up a brush to paint your heritage home. Restoring or modernising your property’s exterior is a standard part of homeownership, but when heritage controls apply, a simple weekend job can quickly become a complex planning issue. In Victoria, most heritage homes fall under a municipial Heritage Overlay (HO) , administered through your local council or shire's planning scheme. If your property is within a Heritage Overlay and the sche
Apr 13 min read


Shaping Heritage Futures: The Strategic Framework Behind the 2026 City of Melbourne Heritage Strategy
Over two years, Heritage Workshop contributed across the development of the newly adopted City of Melbourne Heritage Strategy 2026. Read how our Next-Generation Conservation approach established the core framework for managing the municipality's diverse heritage.
Mar 263 min read


Do You Need a Heritage Impact Statement? (A Guide to Avoiding Council RFIs)
Integrating expert heritage advice de-risks your project and streamlines your planning permit application.
Mar 183 min read


Still the Problem Child? Reflecting on Modern Heritage in Victoria
Following a recent talk, we examine the data, physical challenges, and shifting public perceptions of Victoria’s postwar architectural legacy.
Mar 113 min read


Community-Led Heritage Reviews: Why Local Government Studies Must Start with Engagement (Updated)
Heritage works best as a shared local project from day one. Community engagement needs to occur alongside technical heritage overlay reviews.
Mar 35 min read


EVENT: Convergent modern design and conservation in the Pacific Rim
Dr James Lesh explores the challenges of preserving modern heritage in Victoria.
Feb 182 min read


Why Your Urban Planner Needs a Specialist Heritage Consultant to Secure Approvals
Presenting a complex heritage case using only general planning principles is a risk. Learn how partnering with a specialist heritage consultant de-risks applications and secures permits.
Feb 173 min read


ABC News: Expert Commentary on the North Melbourne Public Housing Heritage Nomination
Dr Lesh provided expert commentary on the significance of Melbourne’s postwar high-rise towers, noting that the current "knock down and rebuild" approach risks erasing a defining layer of the city's social and architectural history.
Feb 61 min read


A 7-Degree Angle, Heritage Battles, and Housing in Melbourne
Discretion in local heritage planning must be based on comprehensive, robust and evidence-based heritage advice. In parallel, homeowners benefit from engaging their own heritage advisors, because this enables a fuller case to be put to council – and VCAT – when discretion is exercised.
Sep 22, 20253 min read


Heritage and Density Done Well
Across our projects, Heritage Workshop offers analytical and evidence-based perspectives towards a new consensus for housing and heritage.
Sep 12, 20252 min read


Density Done Well & Heritage: AIA Panel Conversation
Population projections call for over two million new homes across Victoria in the next 30 years. Denser housing models of all types, homes that are well designed and connected to daily needs are required to address this challenge – but how do these pressing needs intersect with the heritage values of our existing cities and suburbs? The Housing Committee of the Victorian Chapter of the AIA have collected diverse housing projects from across Victoria that demonstrate successf
Jul 24, 20252 min read


Submission to the Inquiry into Victoria Planning Provisions amendments VC257, VC267 and VC274
Heritage Workshop contributes to the Inquiry into Victoria Planning Provisions.
Jun 2, 20254 min read


Re-Thinking Heritage and Housing: Register Now for the Walking Tour
As part of the Australian Heritage Festival 2025, Heritage Workshop + Andever are hosting a free walking tour event in Melbourne.
Apr 4, 20251 min read


Housing, Heritage, Density: Panel Event
Join Heritage Workshop and an esteemed panel for this Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Australian Heritage Festival Event.
Mar 31, 20251 min read


A single sentence cannot get a house heritage protected, but that doesn’t mean Boroondara has done everything right by its local heritage
While it might make an irresistible newspaper headline, a single sentence cannot get a house heritage protected.
Aug 30, 20243 min read
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