Does Your Pre 1947 Home Need Design and a DA?
If your home was built before 1947, there’s a good chance it sits within one of Brisbane’s character overlays. That means any renovation, extension or house raise will likely need a Development Approval before work can start.
Why pre-1947 homes are different
The age of your home changes what council requires
Pre-1947 homes in Brisbane are treated differently under the planning scheme because of the era they were built in. Most of them fall within a character residential overlay, which means council applies a set of requirements specifically designed to protect the architectural character of those older neighbourhoods.
This affects the scope of what you can do and how you need to present your plans. Things like the original facade, the roof form, how an extension relates to the existing structure and how the whole thing reads from the street are all assessed. A standard renovation or extension approach won’t cut it if your plans don’t address these from the start.
The other complication is that pre-1947 homes often come with additional triggers. If your property is also in a flood zone or on a smaller lot, you may be dealing with more than one overlay at once. That’s where having a planner involved early makes a real difference.
How we help you navigate approvals
Design and planning working together from day one
Our designers work alongside our planning partners from the start. Your concept plans are built around your council’s overlay requirements rather than retrofitted to them later. We coordinate design, surveys, planning advice and certifier introductions so you’re not managing multiple parties on your own.
We work with homeowners who know they need a DA and those who are still unsure. If you’re not certain whether your project triggers one, get in touch and we’ll tell you quickly either way.
- Concept plans designed around council’s character overlay requirements from the start
- Site and detail surveys coordinated on your behalf
- Town planning advice and DA support through our planning partners
- Introductions to trusted private certifiers to finalise approvals
Everything in one package
01 – Professional concept plans Tailored to your site and designed with council’s character requirements in mind. Builder-ready.
02 – Site and detail surveys We coordinate all pre-design surveys including site visits, fieldwork and initial reports.
03 – Town planning advice and DA support Our planning partners navigate character overlays, planning codes and DA lodgement.
04 – Certifier introductions Trusted private certifiers introduced at the right time to finalise your approvals quickly.
Affected suburbs
Brisbane suburbs with high concentrations of pre-1947 homes
These suburbs have a high proportion of pre-1947 housing stock and are commonly subject to character overlay requirements. If your home is in one of these areas, a DA is likely to be required for any significant work. If you’re not sure, get in touch and we’ll check for you.
Paddington, Red Hill, Bardon, Kelvin Grove, Auchenflower, Milton, Toowong, Highgate Hill, West End, Woolloongabba, Norman Park, Camp Hill, Hawthorne, Balmoral, Bulimba, Ascot, Hamilton, Clayfield, Hendra, Gordon Park, Windsor, Wilston, Newmarket, Alderley, Lutwyche, Stafford, Mitchelton, Indooroopilly, Chelmer, Graceville, Taringa, Annerley, Yeronga, Moorooka
Not sure if your pre-1947 home needs a DA?
Get in touch and we’ll check your property and let you know what planning is likely to be required before you spend anything.
