The Town of Gawler is seeking to engage qualified heritage advisory services to support Council in the management, protection and promotion of its rich historical and cultural assets, for a period of up to three (3) years.

Gawler is renowned for its significant heritage character, with a diverse range of built and natural heritage places that contribute to the town’s identity and sense of place.

Council is committed to ensuring that heritage values are appropriately considered in planning, development, and community engagement processes. To support this commitment, Council provides a free heritage advisory service that offers expert guidance on heritage related matters. This service provides a vital role in promoting informed decision making, encouraging early engagement and supporting the conservation and enhancement of Gawler’s unique heritage character.

The following tasks are envisaged to be the primary focus of the Heritage Advisory Service consultancy:

1. Development Application Advice

• Provide expert heritage and character advice on development applications involving heritage-listed properties or areas of identified character.

• Review plans and documentation to assess potential impacts on heritage values.

• It is recommended that the submission include evidence of previous work, including examples of written advice, reports, or project contributions that reflect the quality and clarity of recommendations provided.

• It is anticipated that the preparation of written advice and recommendations for planning staff and assessment reports will include:

     o recommendations for conditional or unconditional approval

     o requests for further information and letters concerning applications the Heritage Advisor deems inadequate and/or unacceptable in their heritage impact

     o Written correspondence will be provided in a prompt and timely manner and, in no case, later than five (5) days prior to the expiry of the response deadline.

• Completion of relevant site inspections.

2. General Enquiries and Advice to Owners of Local Heritage Places and Representative Buildings

• Provide direction and advice to owners regarding the conservation and management of heritage values.

• Encourage early engagement with Council prior to lodging development applications, particularly for proposed works on heritage-listed properties.

• Provide advice regarding relevant heritage legislation, regulations and approvals.

• Recommend suitable applications to apply for financial assistance through the Council’s Local Heritage Grants scheme. This includes using the grants program to positively influence perceptions around heritage listing and demystify heritage processes.

3. Pre-lodgement and Post-lodgement Meeting Advice

• Attend pre-lodgement or post-lodgement meetings with applicants, architects, and planners to guide heritage-sensitive design outcomes.

• Respond to enquiries from Council officers, applicants, and community members regarding heritage and character matters. All enquiries will be triaged by the Development Assessment team and referred to the appointed consultant as required.

• The service is delivered on-site at the Town of Gawler once per fortnight. The successful consultancy will have the opportunity to negotiate the preferred delivery day. Appointments are scheduled by Development Services staff, with calendar entries forwarded to the Heritage Advisor on the evening prior to each visit. Timing and frequency may be adjusted in consultation with the Team Leader Development Services, based on workload, calendar entries, or statutory timeframes.

• It is noted that outside of scheduled hours’ advice provided to non-Council Staff (i.e. applicants, local residents, elected members) including but not limited to phone calls and emails will not be paid as services unless approved by the Manager Development Services and Assessment.

• Assist, at Council’s request, in the preparation of Heritage Works Plans for specific places.

4. Reporting and Documentation

• Contribute to internal and public-facing reports, including planning assessments and Council reports.

• Maintain records of advice provided and outcomes achieved, including saving of relevant documentation in accordance with Council’s records management policies and procedures.

5. Collaboration and Coordination

• Liaise with Council staff across planning, infrastructure, and community development teams.

• Coordinate with external stakeholders including State Heritage agencies, local historical societies, and property owners.

• Maintain lists of suitably qualified and experienced local architects, engineers, other conservation specialists, tradespeople and material suppliers who can offer appropriate advice to owners of heritage properties.

• Advise the Town of Gawler on Local Heritage places under threat or needing urgent attention and appropriate conservation action.

6. Additional Advisory Tasks:

Whilst the core function of the role is to support the items 1-5 outlined above, Council may request additional input on heritage-related matters from time to time. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Review and input into heritage-related presentation materials, publications, or community engagement content.

• Peer review of heritage-related documents including heritage studies, design guidelines, character statements, and conservation management plans.

• Advisory support for internal heritage initiatives or grant applications.

• Contribution to heritage-related research or policy development.

Consultants are encouraged to indicate their capacity and willingness to support the Additional Advisory Tasks, should such opportunities arise. Any such tasks would be undertaken within the existing time commitment and subject to the consultant’s availability and agreement. These tasks will not require physical attendance or formal presentations, and input will be limited to the provision of advice, feedback, or written commentary as appropriate.

VALUE-ADD OPPORTUNITIES

Council encourages consultants to identify and propose value-add opportunities that may enhance heritage outcomes and community benefit. These may include (but are not limited to):

• Innovative approaches to heritage conservation or interpretation.

• Strategic partnerships with local historical societies, educational institutions, or community groups.

• Cost-effective methods for delivering heritage advice or documentation.

• Initiatives that promote heritage awareness, education, or engagement.

• Contributions to sustainability through adaptive reuse or conservation practices.

Proposals should align with the objectives of the heritage advisory service and demonstrate clear benefit to Council and the community.

Any proposed value-add opportunities should be costed separately to the Heritage Advisory Services scope.

The following supporting documents will be provided to the successful consultancy:

• List of Town of Gawler heritage properties

• Local Heritage Grant Guideline

• Historic Wall Grant

• Gawler Heritage Survey 1998 – Prepared by Danver Architects

• Church Hill Management Plan

• Gawler Conservation Strategy

All of the above information can be accessed via the Town of Gawler website, Heritage Properties | Town of Gawler Council.