Council moves to add 44 properties to Local Heritage Register

Redland City Council will add 44 primarily privately-owned properties to its Local Heritage Register after endorsing a major amendment to its City Plan.

Mayor Karen Williams said the decision endorsed at September’s General Meeting also included the adoption of a local heritage incentive package for impacted landholders.

“By endorsing this major amendment, Council has shown its commitment to provide an appropriate level of protection to local European heritage on Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said.

“The 44 properties which will be added to the local heritage register have all been independently assessed by a heritage consultant and selected to ensure all key local European themes are represented in the register.

“The survival of these properties in private ownership is a testament to generations of owners who have recognised their value and have continued to maintain them.

“The Queensland Heritage Act requires Council to maintain a local heritage register. Council maintains its register within Schedule 7 of the City Plan, with any changes requiring a planning scheme amendment – which we have endorsed.

“Until now, our local register has mainly listed Council-owned sites, so these additional privately-owned properties are an exciting addition.”

Cr Williams said Council recognised the need to work with individual property owners to support their property interests while ensuring continued preservation.

“Council has consistently maintained that the major amendment should not commence until there was a local heritage incentives package in place to provide financial and advisory support to impacted landowners,” she said.

“The package adopted by Council includes a Local Heritage Grants program, which has been funded through this year’s Budget, and the continuation of a heritage advisory service.

“The grants program will enable landholders to apply for individual grants of up to $5000 to help fund eligible projects that will protect and conserve the heritage values of their properties.

“The advisory service will ensure impacted landowners have access to a dedicated external heritage consultant who can provide free expert technical heritage and conservation advice.”

Council will commence the major amendment to City Plan on 5 October 2022.

On that date the Temporary Local Planning Instrument – Protection of Local Heritage Places, which has been in place since 17 March 2021, will be repealed.

Once the major amendment is complete, two of the properties will be removed through a minor amendment as they no longer classify as local heritage places.

Council will update its Local heritage places website as the changes are implemented.