Council moves to recognise and protect local heritage

Redland City Council will consult individual property owners and the broader community on a proposal to add a number of properties to the city’s Local Heritage Register following the identification of European heritage significance.

Mayor Karen Williams said the consultation with property owners until 4 December 2020 was an essential step towards including the properties in the local register.

“Council has looked at hundreds of properties and we are now seeking community feedback on 47 of these properties that include many wonderful examples of our built settlement history dating back over 140 years,” Cr Williams said.

“This is all about identifying and protecting our local heritage and Council wants to hear from property owners and the general public about this proposal.

“These properties have all been independently assessed as important physical reminders of our European settlement history and essential parts of the story of Redlands Coast.

“In many cases, their built history is just part of the longer European settlement stories going back even decades earlier.

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

“The Queensland Heritage Act requires Council to maintain a local heritage register under Schedule 7 of our City Plan, with any changes also requiring planning scheme amendment.

“Until now our local register has mainly listed Council and State-owned sites.

“Council’s proposal to now add these privately owned properties to the local heritage register will require a major amendment to the Redland City Plan.

“The decision to move forward with the recommended listing and amendment recognises the need to work with individual property owners to support their property interests while ensuring continued preservation.

“This includes options for future support through the provision of expert heritage and planning advice and property maintenance support.

“Any future recommendations for support for heritage property owners are expected to follow from the public consultation with individual owners and the community.

“These are likely to be carried forward for consideration and funding in Council’s 2021-2022 budget deliberations.”

To make a formal submission and for background on the properties and the proposals, visit Council’s Your Say Redlands Coast website from 12 October, 2020.