Heritage advice

A large part of the municipality is covered by heritage overlays to protect what the community thinks is important and to discourage inappropriate design.

This means you are required to lodge an application for planning approval for most buildings and works.

Prefabricated (Singapore) Cottage, South Melbourne Winner Victorian Architecture Awards 2009

The Port Phillip Planning Scheme makes it clear that development must seek to conserve or enhance heritage and be sympathetic and respectful to heritage places.

Heritage in Port Phillip

Council adopted the Port Phillip Heritage Review in August 2000 as part of Amendment C5. The review is extensive and builds on a number of previous studies undertaken by the former St Kilda, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne councils.
Attached to the review are the Port Phillip Heritage Policy Map and the Port Phillip Neighbourhood Character Policy Map.
The Heritage Policy Map identifies all heritage overlays within the municipality, and whether properties within an overlay are heritage graded as a significant heritage place, contributory heritage place or a non-contributory property, or unmapped.
The Character Policy Map identifies contributory heritage places not covered by the heritage overlay.
The Review and Maps have been incorporated in the Port Phillip Planning Scheme.
View the Port Phillip Heritage Review Volumes 1-6 including Maps
These documents can also be viewed at Council's Planning and Building counter located at St Kilda Town Hall, or by contacting ASSIST.
To determine if you are within a heritage overlay, go to the Planning Scheme maps on the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) website and follow the instructions.
You can request an extract of the maps showing the relevant grading and citation by phoning (03) 9209 6424 or emailing planhelp@portphillip.vic.gov.au. The maps will indicate whether there are any proposed changes to the gradings as part of programmed future planning scheme amendments.
Planning Permits are required for the demolition or part demolition of heritage listed properties. The demolition of buildings graded significant or contributory are not supported.
An example within Port Phillip:
A dwelling in Page Street, Middle Park had been identified as a significant heritage place under the Port Phillip Heritage Review. Under delegation, Council refused to grant a permit for retrospective approval for demolition of the chimney at the front of the site. The application was refused because the proposal failed to comply with the Port Phillip Heritage Policy. The chimney was seen as an important part of the heritage fabric of the building, which contributes to the uniformity of a row of six dwellings.
The applicant appealed Council's refusal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The tribunal affirmed Council's refusal and directed that the applicant be ordered to reconstruct the chimney.
Significant heritage places
Includes buildings and surrounds that are individually important places of either State, regional or local heritage significance, or are places that, together within an identified area, are part of the significance of a Heritage Overlay. These places are included in a Heritage Overlay either as an area or as an individually listed heritage place.
Contributory heritage places
Includes buildings and surrounds that are representative heritage places of local significance which contribute to the significance of the Heritage Overlay area. They may have been considerably altered but have the potential to be conserved. They are included in a Heritage Overlay.
Non-contributory properties
These are buildings that are neither significant nor contributory. They are included in a Heritage Overlay,, however any new development on these sites may impact on the significance of the Heritage Overlay, and should therefore consider the heritage characteristics of any adjoining heritage place and the streetscape as covered in this policy.

Get help

The City of Port Phillip is keen to help you maintain and enhance the historic built environment which defines much of the character of this area. To assist residents in heritage areas, the Council employs an Urban Design and Heritage Advisor.
The assistance is free for residents, developers and businesses who own residential and commercial historic buildings in the municipality.
This assistance with heritage matters includes:
- colour schemes
- fences
- restoration of altered facades and verandas
- gardens additions and alterations
- significant interiors
- repairs and structural problems
- applying for relevant permits
- sourcing materials or trades-persons.
The assistance focuses on the exteriors of buildings but consultation on significant interiors is also available.
To arrange an appointment for advice, contact the Planning department:
Email: planhelp@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9209 6424
In person: visit the Planning and Building Counter at St Kilda Town Hall between 8.30 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday
The following guides have been prepared to assist you in meeting heritage requirements:
- Heritage Victoria
- National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
- Australian Heritage Council
- Australian Heritage Council Database
- World of Old Houses - a guide to caring for and restoring/renovating old houses.
- Catalogues and Databases at the State Library Victoria

Heritage advice

Heritage in Port Phillip

Port Phillip Heritage Review

Does my property fall within a Heritage Overlay

Demolition and heritage properties

Gradings within the Heritage Overlay

Get help

Heritage Advisory Service

Heritage grants

Guidelines

Port Phillip Heritage Centre

Related websites

Related Content