The Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Chapter has lodged a detailed submission to the Queensland Government on the development of a new Queensland Heritage Strategy, calling for stronger heritage protections, better stewardship, expert-led decision-making and reform that supports adaptive reuse without compromising significance.
The submission makes clear that the Institute supports reform, but not reform that weakens heritage protection in the name of streamlining. Instead, the Chapter has argued for a more effective and contemporary framework that strengthens significance-led decision-making, improves long-term stewardship, and keeps specialist heritage expertise central to assessment and governance.
Key priorities in the submission include stronger maintenance and compliance tools, earlier intervention where heritage places are at risk, improved temporary protections, better support for local heritage identification, clearer and more useful register processes, and stronger integration between heritage, planning and adaptive reuse. The Chapter also emphasises that heritage and development should not be treated as competing objectives, and that well-managed change can support housing, tourism, civic life and economic resilience while still protecting cultural heritage significance.
Alongside the main submission, the Queensland Chapter also lodged a detailed Appendix A prepared by the Chapter Heritage Committee. The appendix provides technical commentary on the proposed legislative reforms, including the objects of the Act, Queensland Heritage Council processes, State Heritage Register processes, temporary protection for potential State and local heritage places, local heritage identification, enforcement and compliance, interpretive amendments, and State Code 14.
The Queensland Chapter extends its sincere thanks to the Institute’s Queensland Chapter Heritage Committee for its considerable work in preparing the appendix and informing the Chapter’s broader advocacy position. In particular, the Chapter acknowledges the leadership of Heritage Committee Chair Luke Pendergast and thanks all committee members for their contribution, including Members participation in the Queensland Government’s briefing session. Their expertise has helped ensure the Institute’s response is practical, informed and strongly grounded in heritage practice.
The Queensland Chapter looks forward to continuing to engage with the Queensland Government as the strategy and associated legislative reforms progress.
Read the submissions: