Restoring or altering a heritage site

Heritage sites enrich the character of neighbourhoods. They're a link to our past. 

Respecting and maintaining significant features of our local area are managed using the Brimbank Planning Scheme, which outlines policies and provisions that control land use and development. Overlays highlight where there are key factors, such as heritage, that need to be taken into consideration in the planning process. These are generally referred to as HO with a number.

Check for heritage overlays

Find out if your property is located within a heritage overlay under the Brimbank Planning Scheme by:

The Brimbank Heritage Database provides supporting information on heritage sites but this information should not be used to determine what planning controls affect a property. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the database information is accurate, no warranty is given that the it's free from error or omission. Please read the VHD terms and conditions of use before searching.

Contact our Heritage Advisor

If you’re planning works or development to a property within a Heritage Overlay, please contact our Heritage Advisor for advice:

  • Phone: 9249 4606
  • On: Tuesdays between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Heritage Design Guidelines

Before applying for a planning permit for works for a heritage property we recommend reviewing our Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Guidelines and Heritage Design Guidelines

Our guidelines provide guidance on how heritage places can be restored and altered sympathetically for modern-day use. They don’t contain solutions for every individual design issue – but are guiding principles, to be considered as a starting point.

Heritage Design Guidelines have been developed for the following heritage overlay precincts:

Additional information

For more history of the municipality, citations on individual heritage places and precincts and background and the reasons why we consider some places as having heritage importance see our Heritage Studies

Planning permits and certificates

Before any works begin on a heritage site, a planning permit is required. Visit how to apply for a planning permit to get started.

A planning certificate provides the legal documentation relevant to zoning and overlays that affect individual properties (including the heritage overlay).

Last updated: 23 November 2023 - 4:37pm