Heritage changes to be finalised

New heritage guidelines are set to be finalised in an upcoming Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting, putting an end to the old grading system which saw many heritage buildings demolished.

Last year, Planning Minister Richard Wynne approved the new system which updated heritage guidelines for the first time in 20 years. They are replacing a system that led to “massively inappropriate developments” on heritage sites, often allowing developers to demolish whole buildings due to poor wording and an out-dated grading system, according to Tristan Davies from Melbourne Heritage Action.

Under the old system, all heritage buildings were graded with an A, B, C, or D level of significance, with buildings categorised as D often demolished. 

The amendment reclassified around 7000 buildings across Melbourne in the B, C or D categories as “contributory”, helping preserve Melbourne’s heritage structures. 

Now, the FMC will vote on a new amendment – Amendment C396 – at a meeting on March 16 to convert the gradings for the remaining 400 heritage properties across a number of suburbs - including Kensington and North Melbourne - most of which fell into the lower level of significance in the old system.

A number of residential properties in Kensington, including on Barnett Street, Bayswater Rd, Kensington Rd and Epsom Rd, will now be labelled as contributory, requiring prospective developers to retain heritage elements.

Kensington’s heritage Holy Rosary Catholic Primary will be relabelled as contributory, with the grading applying to the fence which is a 19th century remnant of an earlier property.

In North Melbourne, residential properties will earn their new spot on the heritage list in areas including Peel St, Errol St, Arden St, Capel St and Molesworth St.

Royal Park Towers on Flemington Rd will also be heritage listed. 

Amendment C396 seeks to convert the gradings of the remaining heritage properties across Carlton, Carlton North, East Melbourne, Kensington, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Parkville, South Yarra and Southbank.