Overview
We have a proactive approach to heritage conservation in our local area. This includes buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and also outstanding buildings from more recent times. These are an important part of the heritage of our local area.
In 2021 we employed a heritage consultancy firm to assess the heritage significance of two study areas in Woollahra. The first was Centennial Flats (2A Queen Street Woollahra) and the second included properties from no. 58 to no. 88-90 Oxford Street.
This was in response to two Council resolutions:
View the Council resolution relating to the Oxford Street properties (no. 58 to no. 88-90) at the Council meeting on Monday 23 August 2021. (see page 518)
We engaged Lisa Trueman Heritage Advisor, who has now completed the study. Research was undertaken into the history and development of all of the properties in both study areas. The purpose of the research was to identify whether any of the buildings warrant heritage listing, applying the current Heritage NSW guidelines and criteria, Assessing Heritage Significance (2023). Heritage listing aims to provide ongoing protection and recognition of the heritage significance of these sites.
The assessment has recommended the heritage listing of three sites, listed below:
- Centennial Flats at 2A Queen Street Woollahra (including interiors)
- Former gymnasium, restaurant and nightclub at 80 Oxford Street Woollahra
- Victorian Rustic Gothic Terraces at 82-86 Oxford Street Woollahra (group item)
Council provided the Heritage Study in April 2025 to owners within these properties to read and comment on the heritage review and associated heritage inventory sheets prepared for each property. The comprehensive heritage review provides a thoroughly researched development history of each property that builds on the investigations previously undertaken. The heritage inventory sheets provide a detailed description of the heritage significance of each item, with an assessment against the Heritage NSW assessment guidelines and criteria for heritage significance.
Following this owner pre-engagement, Council staff and Council's heritage consultant undertook additional research, site inspections and discussions to further clarify and refine the Study and its recommendations. The Heritage Study and associated Heritage Inventory Sheets (dated March 2025) can be viewed and downloaded in the 'document library' on this page.
17 July 2025
Council have prepared a Planning Proposal in line with the recommendations of the Heritage Study. The purpose of the Planning Proposal is to seek an amendment to the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014 to include the five above sites [two individual buildings and one group item (comprising three properties)] as local heritage items on Schedule 5.
Council presented the Planning Proposal to the Woollahra Local Planning Panel (WLPP) seeking their advice on the Heritage Study. The meeting of the WLPP was held on 17 July 2025. Following site inspections of the proposed sites (where possible), the WLPP made their considerations and voted in support of the Planning Proposal, and advises Council that the Planning Proposal has strategic and site-specific merit. They advise that Council should proceed with the Planning Proposal to amend the Woollahra LEP 2014 and list the five sites [two individual buildings and one group item (comprising three properties)] as local heritage items.
4 August 2025
The Planning Proposal, amended in accordance with the advice of the Woollahra Local Planning Panel, was presented to a meeting of the Woollahra Environmental Planning Committee (EP) on 4 August 2025. The EP considered the design and strategic planning issues that affect the municipality and our local environment. The Committee considered the Planning Proposal and made a recommendation that will be considered at the next Council meeting.
The Committee does not have delegated authority to determine the Planning Proposal. The Planning Proposal and other supporting documents that were considered by the Committee are available to download in the 'Document Library' on this page.
More information on the EP meeting can be found on Council's website.
25 August 2025
The Planning Proposal was presented to a full meeting of Council on 25 April 2025. At this meeting, the Planning Proposal was supported unanimously by Councillors, who resolved that Council staff should progress the Planning Proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) requesting Gateway Determination .
The Planning Proposal will now be updated in accordance with the resolutions of Council, and forwarded to the DPHI with a request for a Gateway Determination to allow public exhibition.
We welcome your feedback
Council invited property owners of the properties identified to share feedback or comments until 16 May 2025. All submissions were reported to the Woollahra LPP on 17 July 2025, and the advice of the LPP was reported to the meeting of Council's Environmental Planning Committee on 4 August 2025. It will be reported to a future meeting of Council.
Those who made a submission will be notified of the upcoming meetings and you will be provided with an opportunity to address or submit correspondence to the decisions makers.
Should the Planning Proposal progress, there will be a formal public exhibition of the proposal when we will welcome public feedback. If you would like to stay updated via email, press +Follow at the top of this page
Next steps
- Once the study is drafted, we will circulate this to affected owners for feedback. We will then collate submissions, and update the Draft Study accordingly. The Draft Study (and submissions) will then be reported to Council’s Local Planning Panel (Woollahra LPP), and the advice of the LPP will be reported to a future meeting of Council. You will be notified of the upcoming meetings and you will be provided with an opportunity to address or submit correspondence to the decisions makers.
- Should the Planning Proposal progress, there will be a formal public exhibition of the proposal. If you would like to stay updated via email, press +Follow at the top of this page.
- At each stage of the process, property owners and residents of the identified buildings will have an opportunity to make submissions to Council.
For more information see our FAQs section on this page.
