Our planning controls, detailed in the Melbourne Planning Scheme, protect individual buildings and precincts of heritage significance.
We conduct heritage assessments and reviews to ensure that buildings, precincts and streetscapes of heritage significance are protected as the city grows and changes. Based on these studies we have proposed changes to the planning scheme that create new heritage precincts, recommend some properties for protection and revise some existing categories.
Our heritage reviews include assessing an area’s built heritage, considering everything from Victorian to post-war architecture. We consider the social and historical values of the area, and develop a detailed Thematic Environmental History as part of the review. We also engage with the relevant Registered Aboriginal Party and develop a report into the area’s Aboriginal cultural values.
Current heritage reviews and amendments
The Parkville Heritage Review was completed in late 2023. Public consultation on the proposed changes to implement the Parkville Heritage Review will occur following approval from the Minister for Planning. For more information, visit Parkville Heritage ReviewOpens in new tab.
We have reviewed the heritage of South Yarra to better understand its physical and cultural heritage and find out what makes it unique. The South Yarra Heritage Review has recommended some changes to our heritage controls, which are proposed to be applied through Amendment C426. For more information, visit South Yarra Heritage ReviewOpens in new tab.
The North Melbourne Heritage Review is implemented by Amendment C403, which is undergoing a planning scheme amendment. You can read more about the North Melbourne Heritage Review by visiting North Melbourne Heritage ReviewOpens in new tab.
The Carlton Heritage Review researched the history of the buildings, streets and parks of Carlton. It recommended some changes to our heritage controls, which are proposed to be applied through Amendment C405. The Amendment also proposes to correct the protection for Punt Road Oval as recommended by a separate Heritage Review. To read more about the Carlton Heritage Review & Punt Road Oval Review please visit Amendment overviewOpens in new tab.
Hoddle Grid Heritage Review – Amendment C387
The City of Melbourne recently completed the Hoddle Grid Heritage Review the most comprehensive review of heritage buildings within the Hoddle Grid since the 1990s. The Hoddle Grid was laid out by surveyor Robert Hoddle in 1837 and remains the heart of Melbourne.
The independent review of more than 1000 buildings took a holistic view of heritage by considering Aboriginal, colonial, contemporary, community, tangible and intangible values.
The innovation of the Review was recognised by the Planning Institute of Australia when it awarded the best Strategic Planning Project at the Victorian awards in 2022.
The Review was implemented by Amendment C387 which was gazetted on 9 September 2022.
More information on the Review is available at Amendment C387: Hoddle Grid Heritage ReviewOpens in new tab. The final gazetted amendment is available at Melbourne Planning Scheme - Amendment C387Opens in new tab.
Fishermans Bend in depth heritage review – Amendment C394
The Fishermans Bend in-depth Heritage Review, completed in 2021, is the most comprehensive review of heritage buildings and structures within Fisherman's bend to date.
The independent review looked holistically at twelve sites and recommended that three sites of local significance are protected by a Heritage Overlay in the Melbourne Planning Scheme, and two sites of state significance are nominated to the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR).
The final gazetted amendment is available at Melbourne Planning Scheme – Amendment C394Opens in new tab.
Southbank Heritage Review – Amendment C305
The Southbank Heritage Review looked to the important industrial and manufacturing history of Southbank and South Wharf which dates back to the mid-1800s. Amendment C305 amended the Melbourne Planning Scheme to introduce 15 additional heritage places, delete the heritage overlay from 12 places and amend the heritage overlay for 16 existing places
The final gazetted amendment is available at Melbourne Planning Scheme – Amendment C305Opens in new tab.
