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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.


PIA CPD Course: Strategic Heritage Planning: Values, Models and Challenges
Join Dr James Lesh on 29 October 2026 for PIA's online course examining values-based heritage policy, climate retrofitting, and municipal strategies.
Oct 192 min read


Mind the Gap: Built Form Separation and VCAT's Decision on 'Fairholme'
A recent VCAT decision at 'Fairholme' in Camberwell demonstrates how not only architectural but also historical values can be determinative of significant heritage fabric.
Oct 142 min read


How Regional Councils Can Use the New Legacy Heritage Study Toolkit
The Victorian Government has released the Legacy Heritage Study Toolkit. Here is how it streamlines procurement and project delivery for rural and regional councils updating their heritage frameworks.
Oct 73 min read


Beyond Compliance: Why Collaborative Heritage Advisory Delivers Better Project Outcomes
A modern heritage consultant does more than enforce statutory constraints; they partner with you to problem-solve. Learn how a collaborative advisory approach unlocks project value and secures planning approvals in Victoria.
Sep 302 min read


Analysing the Economic Assumptions in the Productivity Commission's Housing Report
An analysis of the Productivity Commission’s interim housing report, examining how its proposed heritage reforms rely on weak economic assumptions and limited data.
Sep 129 min read


Beyond the 84,000 Headline: The Missing Metrics in Sydney’s Heritage vs. Housing Report
A new report claims removing Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) could unlock over 84,000 new dwellings in Sydney. We break down the methodology, exploring the missing metrics around embodied carbon, demographic realities, and values-based planning.
Sep 95 min read


Strategic Risk Management: Navigating Interim Heritage Controls
A pragmatic, commercial guide for Victorian property developers, architects, and owners on formulating a strategic response to sudden interim heritage protections.
Aug 263 min read


Sponsoring VPELA 2026: Shaping Victoria's Built Environment Futures
Heritage Workshop is sponsoring the 2026 VPELA State Planning Conference at Lorne. Here is why we are supporting the event and how to connect.
Aug 172 min read


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.
Aug 54 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 183 min read
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