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Heritage and character properties

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Learn the difference between heritage and character buildings. Understand what rules apply when considering a development.

Facade of the former Taylor-Heaslop building at Woolloongabba featuring 'Good Year' signage above the top row of windows with a palm tree in the foreground.

About local heritage and character buildings

’Heritage' and ’character’ are terms used to describe properties, buildings or places in Brisbane, but they don’t mean the same thing.

Local heritage places and character buildings are identified and protected differently.

Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan) identifies heritage and character buildings in different overlays. It also outlines requirements for appropriate development of these properties.

A local heritage place reflects aspects of Brisbane’s local history and culture.

Heritage places range from convict-era buildings in the Brisbane Central Business District to the shops, schools, churches, factories and houses in the suburbs. They also include gardens, landscapes and trees.

Local heritage places are:

Council regulates the development of local heritage places to ensure we preserve their cultural significance.

State heritage places

The Queensland Government is responsible for assessing changes and development of state heritage places. These are identified on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Character properties display key elements and features of different building styles from Brisbane’s history.

Character properties in Brisbane primarily include buildings built before the end of 1946, with special considerations for buildings built before 1911. 

While character buildings may have architectural value, they may not necessarily be identified as a heritage place.

Character is concerned primarily with how the building’s unique architectural style contributes to the identity of the local area or street. 

There are 3 different types of character properties identified under City Plan and each has its own development requirements:

  • Traditional building character (TBC)
  • Commerical character building
  • Pre-1911 building.
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Protecting Brisbane's unique identity

Heritage places are important expressions of our shared history and character buildings contribute to Brisbane’s unique streetscapes. Protecting heritage and character safeguards Brisbane’s identity for future generations.

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Residential projects

Local heritage places

Brisbane City Archives

Learn about your property

You can use City Plan online to learn whether your property is protected as a local heritage place or identified as a character building.

Knowing this information can help you plan for any renovations, development or changes you’re considering. 

1 Go to City Plan online

Open City Plan online.

2 Search for an address

Enter your address in the search bar of City Plan online.

3 Identify overlays

When your property is displayed, use the Map Layers menu to apply the relevant overlays:

  • Heritage
  • Traditional building character
  • Commercial character building
  • Pre-1911 building.
4 Apply overlays

Use the legend menu to identify the visuals that correspond to each overlay.

5 Download a report

View and download a Property Lot Report for information on the relevant overlays.

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Note

City Plan guides how land in Brisbane is used and developed. Learn more about using City Plan online.

Making changes to a local heritage place

Local heritage places don't need to remain frozen in time. The best way to conserve them is to keep them in active use and in good condition.

Council supports adaptive reuse and changes to local heritage places to meet modern living standards, but in way that supports heritage significance. 

Depending on the type and extent of proposed changes, the works may require a development application or be eligible for an exemption certificate.  

The Heritage overlay in City Plan identifies buildings and places of heritage significance that are protected.

Broadly, the Heritage overlay code seeks to ensure these places are retained and conserved to protect their heritage value.

Development on sites next to heritage places should not impact on the views of the heritage place.

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You can download the code requirements by selecting the 'download' menu option at the top of the Heritage overlay code.

Exemption certificates apply to works that will have no more than a minor impact on cultural heritage significance. Council has two types of exemption certificates available for local heritage places:

  • General Exemption Certificate (GEC)
  • Heritage Exemption Certificate (HEC).

General Exemption Certificate (GEC)

The GEC provides upfront permission to undertake certain works on a local heritage place. 

Strict conditions are applied to the type and scope of works, and how they are carried out. It doesn't require an application, fees or approval. 

Examples of works eligible for the GEC include:

  • general repairs and maintenance
  • repairs of structural elements
  • roof repairs and replacement
  • garden maintenance and landscaping.

Download the General Exemption Certificate to learn more about how the GEC applies and general conditions.

Heritage Exemption Certificate (HEC)

A HEC gives approval for simple, low-impact projects that don’t affect significance but are otherwise not permitted under the GEC. 

It requires an application, a fee and approval by Council before the works can begin. 

Examples of works eligible for a HEC include:

  • minor building works
  • landscape and garden works
  • conservation and restoration
  • repairs, maintenance and servicing.

Your application should describe your proposal in detail and clearly demonstrate the impact on the cultural heritage significance of the local heritage place.

Include drawings, technical and other specialist reports, and photos showing all areas that will be affected by the development.

How to apply 

Complete the Exemption Certificate for a Local Heritage Place application online and:

  • pay the fee for a heritage exemption certificate
  • include supporting information and documentation.

Need help determining if your works qualify for an exemption certificate? Phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak with a Planning Information Officer.

 

For developments such as extensions and major changes, you must lodge a development application.

Your application must address how your planned changes and documentation cover the development requirements of the Heritage overlay code. 

Proposed changes that include any new elements will need to demonstrate how they conserve what is significant about the place. 

Alterations shouldn’t change, remove or conceal any features and values in a way that would diminish what is significant about the place. 

Lodge an application

Council encourages and supports proactive conservation of local heritage places.

Conserving and maintaining a heritage place ensures that Brisbane's local history and culture can be enjoyed by future generations. 

Understanding cultural heritage significance and best practice conservation methods can be challenging.

If you are uncertain how to undertake the works or identify elements and features of your property that have cultural heritage significance, seek advice from:

  • heritage architects or consultants
  • specialised tradespersons with experience in heritage conservation and identification of significant features.

Making changes to a character building

Any changes to character buildings in Brisbane must be done in accordance with provisions in City Plan.

The character overlays in City Plan help you to identify the development requirements applicable to your property.

Traditional building character overlay

Traditional building character (TBC) applies to some areas and streets of older suburbs that have a distinct identity based on building character, materials, layouts and setbacks. 

It's intended to maintain the traditional, pre-1947 streetscape and is limited to the cohesive and visual qualities of the street.

New houses are to be designed to fit in with the character of the street.

Read more about the demolition and design requirements of the TBC overlay.

Commercial character building overlay

Commercial character buildings are to be retained. Any extensions or alterations must complement the traditional building style.

Read more about the activities and demolition requirements of the Commercial character building overlay.

Pre-1911 building overlay

Houses built before 1911 are to be retained. Extensions should not alter the original parts of the house.

Read more about the pre-1911 building requirements.

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You can download the overlay code requirements by selecting the 'download' menu option at the top of the Pre-1911 building overlay code.

The construction date of a building helps to clarify the City Plan provisions that apply to development on character buildings. 

Council has developed a practice note to help property owners determine the construction date of a building. It provides general advice and guidance only.

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A completed practice note can be submitted with a development application to inform and support your proposal. 

Researching a building’s construction date can be challenging. You may wish to seek specialist knowledge and skills to interpret your findings.

Don’t forget to keep a copy of any research. 

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You can submit your research with a development application to inform and support your proposal.

Council has developed a design guide to help owners of Traditional building character properties plan for alterations and extensions. 

It provides guidance on understanding the architectural style of your home and outlines design approaches that respect the streetscape, the building and your neighbours. 

You will need to lodge a development application if your proposed changes don't comply with the relevant overlay code and are not identified as accepted development in City Plan.

The development application for your character building must address how your designed changes and documentation cover the requirements of the overlay code. 

Lodge an application

If you’re unsure whether you need planning approval to alter or extend your character property, you can:

  • contact Council on 07 3403 8888
  • contact a design, planning or building professional about your plans.
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You may also need planning and building approval for other proposed changes to your character building, such as adding a carport or pool.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if your development approval is still current, you can continue with your works.

Once your property is added to the Heritage overlay, you will need approval for any future development, unless the changes are exempt by an exemption certificate. 

Learn more about making changes to your heritage property.

Visit the Queensland Government website for the rules for developing state heritage properties.

Any proposed changes to a local heritage place must comply with the provisions of the Heritage overlay code in Brisbane City Plan 2014. The broad rules are:

  • changes to a local heritage place require a development application, unless exempt under a Heritage Exemption Certificate or a General Exemption Certificate
  • if not exempt, changes must satisfy the provisions of the Heritage overlay code.

Learn more about the rules for making changes to a local heritage property.

Visit the Queensland Government for the rules for changing state heritage properties.

Painting a local heritage place can improve its appearance and help to prevent deterioration of material and elements. 

If you are thinking of re-painting an existing painted finish or reapplying a clear finish, the works may be permissible under a General Examption Certificate (GEC).

Learn more about exemption certificates for minor works.

Insurance cover will reflect a variety of factors, including a building’s age, construction, condition and location. You should discuss the availability of insurance and premiums with your current insurer, other insurers in the Queensland market, or an insurance broker.