Amendment C396 proposes to convert the heritage gradings of around 350 properties to a contemporary heritage category system. This is needed to bring the City of Melbourne into line with best practice. These properties are already in the Heritage Overlay and the amendment does not introduce new heritage protection for them.

You can find out more by reviewing the exhibition documentation for Amendment C396 in the document library below or use the interactive map to find out if a property is affected.

What is Amendment C396 and the heritage grading conversion?

Most properties in the Heritage Overlay have already been converted through a previous project, Amendment C258 Heritage Policies Review and West Melbourne Heritage. The gradings for approximately 7,000 heritage properties were converted to the new system with around 350 remaining. The remaining properties are currently graded A, B, C or D and are proposed to be converted through Amendment C396 to Significant, Contributory or Non-contributory.

This means that all properties will be categorised using the Significant, Contributory, Non-contributory system which is needed in order to comply with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning requirements.

The following graphic shows a hypothetical conversion and is indicative only. Refer to the 'Amendment C396 Heritage Category Conversion Review, Lovell Chen and Anita Brady Heritage, March 2021' in the document library below for information about the conversion methodology. Select image to enlarge.
Old heritage grading system – properties graded A, B, C, D and Non-contributory
Illustration showing 7 buildings in 4 different colours to represent A, B, C, D grade. One is not coloured representing non-contributory.
Contemporary heritage category system – properties categorised Significant, Contributory and Non-contributory
Illustration showing 7 buildings in 2 colours to represent significant or contributory, one with no colour to represent non-contributory.

What does the amendment propose?

Amendment C396 proposes to:

  • Convert the heritage gradings of around 350 properties in the suburbs of Carlton, Carlton North, East Melbourne, Kensington, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Parkville and South Yarra. (The types of properties affected are shown in the graphic below.)
  • Make corrections and changes to the way places are listed or mapped in the planning scheme.
  • Make changes to the heritage categories for 53 Hawke Street, 55 Hawke Street and 65-67 Peel Street, West Melbourne to correct errors identified in the Amendment C258 Panel hearing.
  • Introduce Statements of Significance for fifteen previously D-graded buildings in individual Heritage Overlays, one existing Heritage Overlay HO868 and for 65-67 Peel Street, West Melbourne.

What are the main reasons properties are in Amendment C396?

Around 350 properties were removed from Amendment C258 Heritage Policies Review and West Melbourne Heritage by Council when it adopted the amendment. These properties are being converted through Amendment C396. They are:

  • C-graded properties in City North precinct Heritage Overlays.
  • D-graded properties in individual Heritage Overlays.
  • Properties that were not identified or were listed incorrectly in the Amendment C258 Heritage Places Inventory.
Select image to enlarge.
C graded properties in City North precinct Heritage Overlays
Illustration showing six buildings within the Heritage Overlay boundary. Middle building is highlighted blue for 'C' grade.
D graded properties in individual Heritage Overlays
Illustration showing building within the Heritage Overlay boundary. Building is highlighted purple for 'D' grade
Properties omitted or incorrectly converted through Amendment C258

Explaining heritage controls

The Heritage Overlay is a planning tool used in the Melbourne Planning Scheme to identify places with heritage value. It can apply to individual places or to heritage precincts. A permit is required to demolish a building or externally alter a building if it is in the Heritage Overlay. Other permit triggers also apply.

The City of Melbourne’s heritage policies guide applicants and planners in preparing and assessing applications for planning permits under the Heritage Overlay. The policies encourage development that is in harmony with the existing character and appearance of heritage places. Different requirements apply depending on the heritage category which applies to a building.

The heritage policies are currently made up of two parts. Part A are the updated heritage policies that were introduced through a previous project, Amendment C258 Heritage Policies Review and West Melbourne Heritage. Part A applies to properties have already been converted to the contemporary heritage category system through Amendment C258.

Part B are the heritage policies that existed before Amendment C258. They currently apply to properties that are being converted to the new category system through Amendment C396.

Amendment C396 proposes to remove the Part B heritage policies. This will result in the updated heritage policies applying to all properties in the Heritage Overlay.

The Heritage Places Inventory lists properties within the Heritage Overlay and identifies their heritage category.

The Heritage Places Inventory is currently split into two parts. Part A contains properties that have been converted to the contemporary heritage category system through a previous project, Amendment C258 Heritage Policies Review and West Melbourne Heritage. Properties are either Significant, Contributory or Non-contributory. Properties may also be part of a significant streetscape under this system.

Part B contains properties that are being converted to the new category system through Amendment C396. Properties listed in Part B are currently graded A, B, C or D using the old grading system. Buildings may also be part of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 streetscapes.

Amendment C396 proposes to convert the heritage gradings of properties in the Part B inventory and add these properties into the Part A inventory.

Amendment C396

See what properties are affected using the interactive map.