Timber Slab Barns and Outbuildings Study

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Image of historic timber slab barn

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.

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.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Draft Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns and Outbuildings Study

    The public exhibition of the draft Study provides an opportunity to make a submission on the proposals listed in the draft Study or recommend changes to be made to the document where you believe this is required.

    A copy of the Draft Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns & Outbuildings Update Study is available HERE or at Council’s Administration Office, 366 George Street Windsor between the hours of 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday (except for public holidays).

    It is also timely to advise that as part of Council’s Local Heritage Assistance Fund grant program for 2025, a significant amount of funding will be available to owners of timber slab barns and timber slab outbuildings to carry out restoration works to assist in the preservation of the heritage item.

    Applications and information regarding this grant funding will be available from Wednesday 29 January 2025.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Exhibition of Planning Proposal LEP001/25 - Hawkesbury Slab Barns and Outbuilding Planning Proposal

    Council is exhibiting a Planning Proposal seeking the Local Heritage Listing of 19 Slab Barn sites across the Hawkesbury Local Government Area.  

    The Planning Proposal follows the recommendations of the Hawkesbury Timber Slab Barns and Outbuildings Study 2025.

    The Planning Proposal and other supporting documentation is on public exhibition for the period 20 October to 14 November 2025. 

    The Planning Proposal and other supporting documentation can be viewed during the exhibition period on Council’s online community engagement site www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au, or between 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday at Council’s Administration Office, 366 George Street, Windsor. 

    Written submissions in relation to the planning proposal should be referenced “LEP001/25” and can be posted to Hawkesbury City Council, PO Box 146, WINDSOR NSW 2756 or emailed to council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au. 

    The last day for the receipt of submissions is 14 November 2025.


    Please note confidentiality is not available to respondents. The details of any submissions may be included in a Council report or forwarded to the proponent where it may help to resolve issues raised in the submission. Information (including copies of submissions) may also be released in

    accordance with Council’s Access to Information Policy. The inclusion of personal information with your submission is voluntary. However, if not provided Council will not be able to contact you about the proposal. The information will be stored in Council's electronic records system and paper files. For your protection, Council recommends that you do not include defamatory comments in your submission. Under Section 10.4(5) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, any person who makes a submission to Council is required to disclose any political donation or gift. Where relevant a Political Donation and Gift Disclosure Statement is to accompany any submission lodged with Council. This statement can be obtained from Council’s Customer Service Unit or on Council’s website. Any comments about this proposal may contain information that is personal information, such as information that identifies you, etc, for the purposes of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1988. Submissions are balanced with Council’s statutory obligations, the rights of the proponent and the public interest. Council must consider any submissions made before it decides whether to proceed with or abandon a proposal. Should you have any enquiries with respect to this matter, please contact Lachlan Mackenzie, Strategic Planner, on (02) 4560 4444. 

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Page last updated: 17 Nov 2025, 10:57 AM