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Heritage overlay in Queensland — what it means if you want to build

An overlay is an extra layer of planning rules that sits on top of a property's zone.

What it is

Land or buildings protected for their history or cultural value: places on the state heritage register, places the council has listed locally, and sometimes the land next to them. A listing can cover the whole building, only its facade, or just a tree or garden.

What it means for you

Demolishing, altering or extending a listed place, and sometimes building next to one, usually needs a development application, and some state-listed places need a separate state approval. Plan for heritage advice, careful materials and a longer timeframe.

A council overlay. Local heritage is a council scheme overlay; state-listed places are on the Queensland Heritage Register, which is a separate check.

How councils treat it

From the planning scheme tables of assessment of 18 councils: what the overlay changes and which projects it touches. Each tag links to that council's page for the project.

  • Banana

    Banana Shire Planning Scheme 2021

    • Local heritage place (Tables 4.1.1, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.3.1, 4.5.1)

      Building work for alteration, extension, partial demolition or a new building on a local heritage place is code assessable (Local Heritage Place Code – Table 6.3.10). Minor building work on a heritage place is accepted subject to requirements, or code assessable where not accepted. Building work (other than minor) adjoining a heritage place is code assessable. Any permanent alteration to the appearance of a heritage place is code assessable, and operational work (including clearing) and reconfiguring a lot on a heritage place site is code assessable.

  • Brisbane

    Brisbane City Plan 2014

    • Heritage overlay (Table 5.10.12)

      Demolition/removal of part of a local heritage place, building work to a heritage place, and ROL/MCU in or adjoining a local heritage place become code or impact assessable (varies by precinct) unless an exemption certificate is issued under the Queensland Heritage Act.

    • Pre-1911 building overlay (Table 5.10.16)

      Demolition, partial demolition or removal of a pre-1911 building becomes code assessable (or impact assessable if not complying with AO4/AO5 in other zones).

  • Bundaberg

    Bundaberg Regional Council Planning Scheme 2015

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay (local heritage place) (Table 5.9.1 Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay – heritage place)

      Building work that alters, demolishes, relocates or removes a local heritage place is code assessable, and so is a change of use (otherwise accepted or accepted subject to requirements) that results in such building work. Development next door to a heritage place keeps its category.

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay (neighbourhood character area) (Table 5.9.1 Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay – neighbourhood character area)

      Demolishing, relocating or removing a Victorian, Federation or Interwar building, or extending it in front of or visibly from the street, enclosing a front verandah, changing front/side cladding or raising it, is code assessable; a change of use involving building work (other than an internal fit-out) that would otherwise be accepted or accepted subject to requirements is code assessable.

  • Cairns

    CairnsPlan 2016

  • Central Highlands

    Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7)

    • Heritage overlay (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Heritage overlay)

      Building work not associated with a material change of use that involves alteration, demolition, relocation or removal of a local heritage place becomes code assessable (against Heritage overlay code) where it would otherwise be accepted subject to requirements. A material change of use involving a local heritage place resulting in such building work also becomes code assessable. Applies to premises that are, or adjoin, a local heritage place.

  • Gold Coast

    Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29)

    • Heritage overlay (Table 5.10.12 Heritage overlay)

      In a 'Local heritage place', building work that does not demolish/relocate/remove becomes code assessable; building work that partly or fully demolishes/relocates/removes becomes impact assessable (a development application that may be publicly notified). Essential repair/maintenance under the Queensland Heritage Act is unchanged. Operational work becomes code assessable. In a 'Place in proximity to a local heritage place', new buildings/extensions can become code assessable.

  • Fraser Coast

    Fraser Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (Version 11)

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — local heritage place (Table 5.10.1 Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — heritage place)

      Building work on a local heritage place becomes code assessable, or impact assessable if it involves demolition, relocation or removal; an accepted change of use becomes code assessable (impact if it involves demolishing the heritage place).

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — adjoining a State or local heritage place (Table 5.10.1 Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — heritage place)

      Building work (other than minor building work) on a lot adjoining a heritage place becomes code assessable; an accepted change of use becomes code assessable.

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — neighbourhood character area (Table 5.10.1 Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — neighbourhood character area)

      Building work becomes code assessable if it involves an extension forward of the front building line, an extension over 10 m² visible from the street, enclosing a front verandah, changing front or side cladding, going above two storeys or 8.5 m, or building a garage, carport or outbuilding; a change of use involving demolition of a visible pre-1946 building becomes impact assessable.

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — demolition control area (Table 5.10.1 Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay — demolition control area)

      Demolishing, relocating or removing a Victorian, Federation or interwar dwelling house becomes code assessable.

  • Gladstone

    Gladstone Regional Council Planning Scheme (Version 2.1)

    • Heritage overlay (local heritage place) (Table 5.10.1 Heritage overlay code)

      On a local heritage place: a change of use that would be accepted subject to requirements and involves building work becomes code assessable; any building work not associated with a change of use (including minor work) is code assessable; demolition, partial demolition or removal is impact assessable; operational work changing landscaping, fencing or natural features named in the citation is code assessable. Work under a Queensland Heritage Act exemption certificate is accepted.

  • Livingstone

    Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018

  • Logan

    Logan Planning Scheme 2015 (version 9.2, with TLPI No. 1/2024)

    • Heritage overlay (Table 5.10.7.1 Heritage overlay map OM-07.00)

      Any building work (including demolition) completely or partly in a heritage area is code assessable against the Heritage overlay code unless carried out by, or on land owned by, the council.

  • Mackay

    Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay (Table 5.10.9)

      On or adjoining a local heritage place, a material change of use (other than a home-based business and a few listed uses) and any reconfiguring a lot become code assessable against the Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay code (unless a Queensland Heritage Act exemption certificate applies).

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay (Table 5.10.9)

      Adjoining a local heritage place, building work involving external extensions visible from a public road or public open space becomes code assessable.

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay (Table 5.10.9)

      On a local heritage place, any building work (including minor building work) is code assessable, and total demolition of a building or demolition of any part visible from a public road or public open space is impact assessable (unless a Queensland Heritage Act exemption certificate applies).

    • Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay (Table 5.10.9)

      Within a neighbourhood character area, an extension to a dwelling house is accepted subject to requirements and other material changes of use (except a home-based business and a few listed uses) are code assessable against the Heritage and neighbourhood character overlay code.

  • Noosa

    Noosa Plan 2020

    • Heritage Overlay (Table 5.9.7 Heritage Overlay)

      For a local heritage place, new buildings or external building work become code assessable; in a character area, extensions or new buildings forward of the front building line or over 10 m², enclosing a front verandah, or changing front/side materials or front windows become code assessable against the Heritage Overlay Code.

    • Heritage Overlay (Table 5.9.7 Heritage Overlay)

      Demolition, relocation or removal of a building, and reconfiguring a lot, are code assessable against the Heritage Overlay Code.

  • Redland

    Redland City Plan 2018

    • Heritage overlay (5.9.1 Heritage overlay)

      Building work involving partial or total demolition or relocation of a local heritage place becomes impact assessable (a development application with public notification) against the Heritage overlay code.

    • Heritage overlay (5.9.1 Heritage overlay)

      Building work involving interior/exterior alterations, extensions, or erecting a new or separate building on a local heritage place becomes code assessable against the Heritage overlay code.

    • Heritage overlay (5.9.1 Heritage overlay)

      Operational work involving a change to landscaping, fencing or natural features of land referred to in the citation for a local heritage place becomes code assessable against the Heritage overlay code.

  • Rockhampton

    Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28)

    • Heritage place overlay — local heritage place (Table 5.9.9)

      Extensions, a new/separate building on the site, or partial demolition of a local heritage place become code assessable; total demolition or relocation becomes impact assessable.

  • Scenic Rim

    Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020

  • Sunshine Coast

    Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (Amendment 27)

  • Toowoomba

    Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012 (Version 29)

    • Heritage Overlay (Table 5.10:1)

      A dual occupancy or multiple dwelling becomes impact assessable, as does reconfiguring a lot that creates a hatchet lot or a lot under 450m².

    • Heritage Overlay (Table 5.7:1; Table 5.10:1)

      On a local heritage place, additions increasing floor area by more than 25m² or 5% (whichever is less) are code assessable, a Class 10a building is accepted subject to the Heritage Overlay Code, new buildings on a site adjoining a heritage place (outside the Rural Zone) are code assessable, and demolishing more than 25m² of a non-outbuilding is impact assessable.

  • Townsville

    Townsville City Plan

    • Cultural heritage overlay — on a heritage place (Table 5.9.1 Cultural heritage overlay — On a heritage place)

      Building work (including minor building work) for alterations or extensions to a heritage place, or a new or separate building on the heritage place site, becomes code assessable against the Cultural heritage overlay code (accepted if a Queensland Heritage Act exemption certificate has been issued).

    • Cultural heritage overlay — on a heritage place (Table 5.9.1 Cultural heritage overlay — On a heritage place)

      Total demolition or relocation of a heritage place becomes impact assessable; partial demolition becomes code assessable.

    • Cultural heritage overlay — on a heritage place (Table 5.9.1 Cultural heritage overlay — On a heritage place)

      Operational work changing fencing, landscaping or natural features named in the heritage place citation (SC6.3) becomes code assessable.

Is my property in it?

Search your address in Landbrief's free check: it shows the zone and which planning layers apply to the lot.

Common questions

What is the heritage overlay?

Land or buildings protected for their history or cultural value: places on the state heritage register, places the council has listed locally, and sometimes the land next to them. A listing can cover the whole building, only its facade, or just a tree or garden.

What does the heritage overlay mean if I want to build?

Demolishing, altering or extending a listed place, and sometimes building next to one, usually needs a development application, and some state-listed places need a separate state approval. Plan for heritage advice, careful materials and a longer timeframe. Of the councils whose tables of assessment we have read, 18 mention it, and each treats it differently — see the table on this page.

How do I find out if my property is in the heritage overlay?

Search your address in Landbrief's free check, which shows the state layers that apply to the lot and, for councils whose overlays we read directly, the council layers too. For the council's own mapping, the planning scheme maps and the council's online property report are the official source. Confirm with the council or a town planner before you buy or build.

Other overlays

Bushfire hazardLandslide hazard and steep landAcid sulfate soilsFlood hazardCoastal hazard (storm tide and erosion)Vegetation managementBiodiversity, waterways and wetlandsNeighbourhood characterAirport environsExtractive resources and miningRegional infrastructure and corridorsWater resource catchmentsAgricultural landScenic amenity and landscape characterTransport noise and corridors

Read from each council's planning scheme tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.