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Local Heritage Study

Project Overview

online community engagement

Lockyer Valley Regional Council engaged cultural heritage experts to prepare an updated Local Heritage Study (LHS). The LHS covered the whole of the Lockyer Valley and included recommendations to enter places on, remove places from, and amend the citation of places on the Local Heritage Register (the Register).

The proposed Register is now on public consultation until 8 August 2025 as required by the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 and Council encourages feedback on the proposed Register. Submissions can be made to Council during the consultation period regarding the proposed changes to the Register.

Consultation Information

Any submission to Council should include the following:
  • your full name and contact details;
  • the address of the place your submission relates to, and any other identifying information;
  • a clear statement of:
    • why the place does or does not meet the criteria for heritage significance, utilising the Queensland Government’s Guideline: Identifying and Assessing Places of Local Cultural Heritage Significance in Queensland (2020);
    • any errors or inaccuracies in the heritage citation or information provided;
    • alternative interpretations or information regarding the place’s history and significance;
    • any other relevant information.
  • supporting evidence such as referenced history with empirical evidence, photographs or expert reports.

Submissions can be made by:

  • the Submission Tool on this project page;
  • via email to heritage@lvrc.qld.gov.au;
  • by post to PO Box 82, Gatton Qld 4343;
  • in person at the Gatton or Laidley Customer Service Centres

You can have your say on the proposed changes to the Local Heritage Register by making a submission to Council by Friday,8 August 2025.

If your submission is in relation to any of the following properties, Council will accept submissions up to Friday, 15 August 2025.

Address Lot and Plan Number
Road reserve adjoining 21 Riddell Street, Gatton Road Reserve
36 Larnook Street, Upper Lockyer Lot 27 RP143017
1 Jones Street, Withcott (known as 652 Toowoomba Connection Road) Lot 2 RP903407

One-on-one meetings with Council’s planning officers and heritage expert are available during the consultation period to discuss changes to the Local Heritage Register.

Bookings are available in person at Council’s Customer Service Centres:

  • 26 Railway Street, Gatton (Tuesday, Thursday)
  • 9 Spicer Street, Laidley (Wednesday)

To make a booking, simply:

  • Phone Council’s Call Centre on 1300 005 872;
  • Email heritage@lvrc.qld.gov.au with preferred times and dates;
  • Attend a Customer Service Centre.

Bookings must be made three business days in advance to enable our staff to prepare for the meeting.

If you have any questions regarding our one-on-one bookings, please contact Council on 1300 005 872 or by email to heritage@lvrc.qld.gov.au.

  • May 2024 – Heritage consultant commissioned
  • December 2024 – Long list received
  • April 2025 – Short list provided to Councillors
  • June 2025 – Council endorsed advertising of short list
  • July 2025 – Public consultation commences
  • August 2025 – Public consultation concludes
  • Council to review submissions
  • Council to make decision on submissions
  • Notification sent to affected landholders and submitters of Council decision
  • October 2025 - end of project

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Frequently Asked Questions

Under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, all local governments in Queensland are required to identify places of cultural heritage significance for their area in either a Local Heritage Register or their planning scheme.

Properties on the Local Heritage Register are important to Lockyer Valley's history and culture. Listing them helps protect these places for future generations by regulating development so heritage values are not lost. The list was created after assessing each place and identifying those of cultural heritage significance. 

If your property is on the Local Heritage Register it means it has been identified as being of heritage significance and is subject to protection for its local heritage value.

Heritage means recognising things from the past that are important today and should be protected for future generations. This includes buildings, landscapes, objects and cultural traditions. Some places are significant because they are old, while others are important due to their connection with historical events, important people or cultural practices. 

If your property is heritage-listed you may need approval from Council before undertaking development, such as building work. Council will assess the proposed development against the Heritage overlay code to ensure the development respects the heritage value of the property. The aim is to protect the Lockyer Valley's heritage for future generations. 

No, being on the heritage register does not give the public the right to enter private property. 

You can check the Lockyer Valley Local Heritage Register on Council’s website to see which properties are listed. The Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme also maps heritage places in the Cultural heritage overlay. See Map - Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme.

Yes, other heritage registers include: 

  • Queensland Heritage Register – managed by the Queensland Government. 
  • Register of the National Trust – a non-statutory register managed by the National Trust of Australia. 
  • Commonwealth Heritage List – covers heritage places under Federal (Australian) Government control. 
  • World Heritage Areas – nominations and protection is undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).  

If you plan to make changes to places listed on these registers, you may need approval from other agencies. For properties on the Lockyer Valley Local Heritage Register, Council is the responsible authority. 

Yes, but you may need approval from Council depending on the type and scale of work. The goal is to protect what makes the place significant. However, Council understands some changes are necessary to keep a property usable and well-maintained. Heritage listing does not mean a place cannot be altered. For example, renovations and new additions must follow specific guidelines that protect the heritage value of the building. For more information, check the Heritage Overlay Code of the Planning Scheme and Cultural Heritage Policy No. 3.

If your property is heritage-listed you may need approval from Council before undertaking development, such as building work. Some exemptions apply. Council will assess the proposed development against the Heritage overlay code to ensure the development respects the historical value of the property. 

No. Only work classified as development under the Planning Act 2016 requires approval. Routine activities like painting and general maintenance do not need approval.

Demolition or removal is generally not supported, but in special cases where there is ‘no practical alternative’, Council may approve it. 

If an Exemption Certificate is issued, it means you do not need to get development approval from Council.  Owners can apply for an Exemption Certificate if they want to undertake development that will not harm the heritage value of the place. 

No, you are not required to restore your property and there are no special maintenance requirements. However, if a property is at risk of damage from weather, fire, vandalism or pests, a repair notice can be issued under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. 

No, there are no extra requirements for hiring tradespeople beyond standard building laws. 

This depends on the insurance company. Generally, being on the heritage register should not affect insurance premiums. Insurance costs are usually based on factors like building age, construction materials and condition. Owners should check with different insurance providers. 

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