Yes. Blog’s over. Glad I could help.
Okay, maybe there’s more to it than that. While you can renovate a heritage home, what you can do is where things get interesting - and that’s exactly what this blog will unpack.
What Are Heritage Overlays?
Heritage overlays, are controls set by local councils, designed to preserve houses of cultural or historical significance. Councils understand the need to update and enhance these homes for modern living, but with conditions.
The primary difference between properties with and without heritage controls is simple: you can’t demolish the site entirely. The extent of what you must retain depends on the specific controls for your area.
Any renovation or addition to a heritage property will require a planning permit, unlike most non-heritage sites. This means extra time and steps in the approval process.
Each council develops its own heritage controls, which means the specifics can vary. However, most councils follow a general framework that we’ll outline here. (Pro tip: always check your council’s website for the precise rules for your area!)
Levels of Heritage Significance:
Heritage overlays are categorised into levels of significance, which determine the extent of permissible alterations and additions. Let’s break them down:
1. All Heritage Overlays
The key consideration is streetscape - ensuring that any changes are respectful of how the home looks from the street. This applies to the facade, often much of the house behind it, and the visibility of new additions.
For example, a towering three-story extension visible over the original roofline is a no-go. Think news anchor wearing a suit on top, and gym shorts under the bench; not a good look.
I like these controls, they are about respecting our elders, by protecting the character of the old home, so it remains the "star of the show”. Councils use tools like "sight lines" to enforce this, requiring new additions to recede from the street and remain largely out of sight.
This may limit how much you can expand, but it often works fine for properties with ample space or modest renovation goals.
2. Significant Overlay
Homes deemed "Significant" require careful, case-by-case council assessment. These homes are integral to the area's cultural heritage, so controls are stricter.
The majority of the house must be preserved.
Exterior updates (due to wear and tear) must be "like for like."
Colours are often restricted to historically appropriate palettes.
Interiors? Typically, you have free rein.
It’s worth noting that people often confuse this with "Heritage Listed" properties, which are of state importance, and are protected by the National Trust. Those homes, marked by iconic plaques, can’t be altered at all. However, these houses are extremely rare, sometimes functioning as museums, such as Como house in Melbourne.
3. Contributory Overlay
Contributory properties are less significant individually but still contribute to the overall heritage character of the area. Here, restrictions are more flexible:
The facade or a portion of it (e.g., front rooms) might need preservation.
Additions must still adhere to visibility rules from the street.
Councils are often more lenient with updates like replacing window frames or using modern colours, provided they don’t drastically alter the character.
Conclusion:
Heritage overlays are about protection, not prohibition. They’re designed to balance modern living with the preservation of our architectural history. With thoughtful planning and respect for heritage guidelines, these homes can be beautifully modernised to remain fit for living for another century.
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