A DECISION on whether another six heritage precincts will be added to Ballarat's planning scheme will be made tonight.In June, a Panels Victoria hearing was held into the heritage status of the six areas, which were first recommended to the Ballarat City Council in a 2006 study.The areas are known as St Aidan's, Colpin Ave, Dowling St, Old Showgrounds, Creswick Rd and Macarthur St, and Barkly St and Humffray St heritage precincts.The panel found the areas, with some minor amendment, should be subject to heritage planning overlays.A report to be tabled at tonight's ordinary council meeting has recommended councillors approve the panel's findings.Among the changes to the areas recommend by the panel, and the report, was the retention of 701 to 705 Macarthur St in the Macarthur St and Creswick Rd precinct. The panel also backed the removal of properties at 20 Brawn Ave and 1111 Gregory St from the list of "not significant properties". If council approves, the changes to Ballarat's planning scheme will be submitted to State Planning Minister Justin Madden for final approval.Since 2006, the scheme has included 19 heritage precincts. Most houses in those areas have restrictions on how they can be renovated so they retain their heritage character.A study by heritage architect Dr David Rowe and Wendy Jacobs recommended council look at six extra heritage areas.After two reviews of that study, council voted in February this year to hand the issue of the six precincts over to Panels Victoria.An amendment approved by Mr Madden last November placed interim heritage controls over the affected areas until a final decision was made by council. Those controls were recently extended until the end of November.But, the minister had said in a letter to council that no further extensions would be granted, the report said.