Timber Slab Barns and Outbuildings Study

Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns and Outbuildings Study

Since the earliest years of colonisation, the Hawkesbury River (Dyarubbin), its tributaries, and their surrounding lands have played an important role in food supply for the developing Greater Sydney Region.

Commencing in 1794 with the granting of 18 land parcels, the Hawkesbury local government area (LGA) was one of the earliest agricultural localities in the new colony and the Hawkesbury River area eventually became known as the “food bowl” of Sydney. Agriculture continues to play an important role in the economic and social development of the area today.

With such a long and important history of European based farming practices in the area, surviving physical evidence (such as early barns) of the earliest phases of agricultural development in the area is highly prized by the local community (and others) for its historical significance, as well as its aesthetic significance as a contributor to the historical landscape character that defines much of the Hawkesbury region.

The Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns & Outbuildings Study was exhibited to the community from 28 January 2025 to 09 March 2025 and identified significant timber slab barns and outbuildings that are not currently listed on either the Hawkesbury Local Environmental Plan 2012 or State Heritage Register, dependent upon their level of significance, and provides updated inventory sheets for sites already heritage listed.

New South Wales has two main types of heritage listing known as ‘heritage items’ and ‘conservation areas’. Heritage listings flag that a place or object has heritage significance and gives owners improved access to heritage grants, free advice from Council’s Heritage Officer and often allows a wider range of uses than the current zoning would otherwise permit.

Further details are available from: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/heritageoffice/HeritageListingExplained.pdf

The Draft Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns & Outbuildings Study was adopted by Council on 08 April, 2025.

Following the adoption of the Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns & Outbuildings Study, Council prepared a Planning Proposal that follows the recommendations of the Study by seeking the local heritage listing of several slab barn sites across the Hawkesbury.