Aboriginal-owned • New South Wales
Respect the past. Plan what comes next.
Independent heritage and town planning advice for property owners, architects and project teams across NSW. Clear reports. Considered advice. Direct access to Jacob.
- 01UNE-qualified town planner
- 02Council planning experience since 2017
- 03Independent, personal advice
Grounded in place
An Aboriginal-owned practice, grounded in place.
Jacob is an Aboriginal town planner with deep ties to the NSW South Coast. His work brings together planning experience, respect for place and a commitment to clear, practical advice.
About JacobServices
What Jacob can help with
- 01Heritage Impact StatementsResearch and assessment of proposed changes to heritage items and conservation-area properties.
- 02Town planning adviceUnderstand planning controls, identify issues early and map next steps.
- 03Statements of Environmental EffectsClear planning documentation to support development applications.
- 04Heritage research & adviceArchival research, historical context and practical guidance for existing places.
- 05Council & stakeholder liaisonClear communication through planning and consultation processes.
Project navigator
Where are you in your project?
A helpful starting point only — not statutory or legal advice. Your needs are confirmed when we talk.
Before you buy or commit to a design, it helps to know what controls and heritage listings apply.
Services that may help
Useful to bring
- Property address or lot/DP
- Listing or sales information
- What you hope to do with the site
Opens a pre-filled draft in your email app for you to review and send.
How it works
A clear, agreed process.
- 01
Start with the site
Share the address, your aims and any plans you already have.
- 02
Agree the scope
Deliverables, timing and fee are agreed in writing before work begins.
- 03
Develop clear advice
Research, planning review and report preparation, as scoped.
- 04
Move forward informed
Practical next steps, and liaison with council as agreed.
The exact project scope is agreed before work starts. Advice supports your application — approval decisions rest with the consent authority.
Coverage
Advising across New South Wales.
NSW-wide advisory, with particular familiarity across the South Coast and southern regions. Site visits and project availability by arrangement.
- South Coast
- Shoalhaven
- Illawarra
- Southern NSW
- Regional NSW
Questions
Frequently asked
What is a Heritage Impact Statement?+
A Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) is a report that explains the heritage significance of a place and assesses how a proposed change might affect it. Councils commonly ask for one when work is proposed to a listed heritage item or a property in a heritage conservation area.
When should I speak to a planner?+
Ideally early — before buying, or before plans are finalised. Understanding the controls and any heritage considerations at the start can save time and redesign later. It's also worth talking if council has asked for more information.
Which areas of NSW do you cover?+
Advice is available NSW-wide, with particular familiarity across the South Coast, Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Southern NSW and regional NSW. Site visits are by arrangement.
What should I send with my enquiry?+
The site address, a short description of what you're hoping to do, and your timing. If you have plans or council correspondence, mention them — Jacob will let you know what's needed once you've spoken.
How do fees work?+
Fees are quoted to the agreed scope of each project, so you know the deliverables, timing and fee before work begins. Every site is different, so there are no fixed published rates.
General information only; not legal advice for your specific site.