Queensland Heritage Council
A strong culture is one that can acknowledge and learn from its past. Ultimately heritage places help everyone in the state to understand more about our culture and ourselves.
The Queensland Heritage Council (QHC) is Queensland’s peak heritage body, and its members work to protect and conserve our state’s living history. The advice the council provides to the Environment Minister allows the most remarkable historic sites and their stories to be enjoyed by current and future generations of Queenslanders.
The QHC is an independent authority and not part of a government department, though its members are supported by a secretariat from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Queensland Heritage Register
Historic places are protected through their inclusion in the Queensland Heritage Register. For a place to be heritage-listed, it must be nominated and then go through an approval process. See Getting on the register to find out how the process works.
There are currently around 1500 places in the Heritage Register, ranging from houses, rural homesteads and civic buildings to roads, trees and cinemas. Examples include Brisbane’s Story Bridge, the Jondaryan Woolshed, and the “commercial pleasure gardens” of Paronella Park near Cairns.
An online search facility for the Queensland Heritage Register can be found at Registers and Inventories
Once a place has been added to the register, a development application needs to be made for any significant development work. This is to ensure the heritage significance of the place is properly considered as part of the planned changes to the property.
Development applications are assessed by members of the Heritage Council’s Development Committee. See Owning a heritage place and Changing your property for more details.
Heritage Council membership and functions
The Heritage Council meets monthly to discuss matters relating to the state’s cultural heritage, including nominations to the Heritage Register. The 12 people who make up the Queensland Heritage Council come from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Each person has volunteered their time and services because they have a deep interest in the history of Queensland - and because they understand the importance of keeping this history alive for the benefit of all Queenslanders.
The members of the Heritage Council are appointed by the Governor in Council. The current Heritage Council commenced its term on 1 January 2008. As required by the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, they must represent a range of community interests and organisations, specifically:
- Local Government Association of Queensland
- National Trust of Queensland
- Queensland Council of Unions
- Property owners and managers
- Rural industries in Queensland
- 7 persons with appropriate knowledge, expertise and interest in heritage conservation
Heritage Council Members
- David Eades (Chairperson)
- Margaret Strelow (Deputy Chair)
- Andrew Barnes
- Chris Buckley
- Christine Campbell
- Gordon Grimwade
- Jane Lennon
- Rodney Litster
- Peter Marquis-Kyle
- Donna Neilson
- Ruth Woods
Heritage Council newsletter - Time & Place
Time & Place is the official newsletter of the Queensland Heritage Council. Each quarter it has a key theme reflecting an aspect of the State’s rich cultural heritage. More information..
Contact the Queensland Heritage Council
Queensland Heritage Council Secretariat
Environmental Protection Agency
PO Box 15155
CITY EAST QLD 4002
ph :(07) 3227 6532 fax: (07) 3227 7803
email: heritage.council@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 16 January 2008
