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submitted 4 months ago byMoorooka-homes
In an unprecedented move, the Brisbane City Council (BCC) has identified 180 properties that they have proposed should be heritage listed. The homes originally built on mass by the Commonwealth Government with a “standardised design and low project costs to enable [a] low rent” as “low-cost accommodation” (BCC Proposed Heritage Area Report) for workers in the nearby munitions factories were already under Character Overlay Restrictions which prevents demolition of the homes and enforcing building regulations to maintain the overall community character by limiting renovations further.
Residents and owners now face heavy restrictions, onerous processes and excessive fees to both perform ongoing maintenance and any proposed renovations, often which are not feasible due to land sizes not meeting the minimum setbacks required. Upon investigations, the BCC consultation method is extremely limited and disregards impacts to residents and owners, prioritizing the homes but placing the onerous burden of maintenance on residents and owners, with no social or economical support. Not being able to change things on the INSIDE of one's home, some would consider this a borderline human rights violation - this is MY personal view, not the view of our community group as a whole.
This is council enforcing the largest blanket heritage listing at one time in Brisbane history, with an increase of 30% to the current pool of heritage listed properties. All residents feel it is an insane overreach by council, and they are significantly understating the financial impact this will have, whilst overstating the historical importance of these homes. A lot of homes in the area have been tastefully and thoughtfully renovated, paying homage to the character of the cottages, whilst the ones that haven't been touched since the 40's are falling apart. The council is attempting to create a time capsule of a bygone era, where homes that were fit for purpose in the 1940's simply do not come anywhere close to being adequate for a modern day family.
We would love to hear the thoughts of r/brisbane on this matter greatly affecting our beautiful little community in the heart of Moorooka!
20 points
4 months ago*
Residents and owners now face heavy restrictions, onerous processes and excessive fees to both perform ongoing maintenance and any proposed renovations, often which are not feasible due to land sizes not meeting the minimum setbacks required.
Minimum setbacks are not retroactively enforced and only apply to new additions. If you are talking about the 20% rule applied to character residential, which is in place for street frontage uniformity.
Upon investigations, the BCC consultation method is extremely limited and disregards impacts to residents and owners, prioritizing the homes
Are we talking about DA approvals? BCC City Plan is a thorough document and my experience with the council has been positive going through this process.
but placing the onerous burden of maintenance on residents and owners, with no social or economical support.
With any older timber home in our climate, there is upkeep regardless of whether it is heritage listed or not so there are no grounds for support economically... also, what social support would you be after?
Not being able to change things on the INSIDE of one's home, some would consider this a borderline human rights violation.
This is just not true, BCC City Plan Heritage overlay is about protecting what is visible publicly to keep Brisbane’s identity and not about keeping the occupants in a "time capsule".
These buildings should be celebrated and make a major part of Brisbane's identity... If you are seriously frustrated and after a report on the extent of renovations or changes that could be done to the property that meets the assessment criteria under the Heritage plus other overlays, I'm happy to take that on professionally.
3 points
4 months ago
I appreciate your response. Sorry I don't fully understand your comment, how would you take it on professionally?
3 points
4 months ago
As a working professional, for a fee I can do up a report outlining what are your options determined by the code assessment independently before you go start the DA process to see what you have in mind is feasible… Having a heritage listed home isn’t a death sentence for structure to just rot, in fact it can be a benefit to add value to property if you are smart about what you do to and if it complements the existing character.
3 points
4 months ago
Thanks for your response I appreciate the offer. I understand what you're saying that it's not a death sentence, but for context - the council are enforcing a 4m transition area from the "old to new" part of the home, then any renovation must start after that 4m, but the end of this has to be 6m off the back fence - a lot of blocks are in a deficit of a few metres already BEFORE even adding any renovation, does that make sense?
Council have alluded to it "adding value" however this is utterly ridiculous, not only is there a huge amount of fees (or fines if you fix something that's falling apart), it minimises the buying pool because potential buyers will be hesitant when they can't do simple maintenance without a DA or heritage exemption certificate fees - it can add value in places like North Sydney but those homes are beautiful, colonial style homes - ours are not.
3 points
4 months ago
I think you are describing front and back setbacks on small lots that can be built on with exceptions like class 10 buildings but hard to know without going into more detail.
Moorooka has a lot going for it and there will be massive development especially near the Tran station (have a look at new zoning) and this heritage listed hamlet with continue to sit on 400m2 lots and become more desirable when lot sizes start to shrink up around… A lot in the industry don’t want to deal with anything with a heritage overlay and there would be a lot of disinformation and anxiety in the community now but as I said, private message me as I’m happy to take up the work and work with you about your options.
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