Brisbane heritage homes being lost at a rate of 90 every year over past decade

BRISBANE is losing what’s left of its heritage buildings at a significant rate, with the past 10 years accounting for the loss of hundreds of homes in heritage and character areas.

Another house demolished. This one at Agars Street, Paddington. PIC Marc Robertson

ABOUT 900 Brisbane homes in character and heritage areas are ­estimated to have been demolished in the past decade.

Brisbane’s development boom has been blamed for the destruction, including about 50 tin-and-timber Queenslanders that were wiped off suburban streets last year.

Recent demolitions of pre-1946 homes in Auchenflower and Paddington, and a pre-1911 home in Highgate Hill, caused outrage from neighbours amid broader concerns that the city may be losing the battle to save its heritage.

Last year, 56 complete house demolitions in traditional character areas – suburbs with homes built before 1946 and most often Queenslanders – were approved. There have been 37 demolition approvals already this year.

The demolition of 16 Rathdonnell Street, Auchenflower. Picture: Liam Kidston.

But in 2006, 138 complete house demolitions in character areas were approved – almost triple the 2015 figure.

Brisbane City Council was unable to provide figures for the number of demolitions in other years, but an analysis by The Courier-Mail found about 900 homes in character areas were estimated to have been knocked down over the past decade.

Brisbane Residents United claims the council’s figures massively underrepresent the number of character homes being demolished.

University of Queensland senior lecturer in history and heritage Dr Geoff Ginn said more protection needed to be given to streets and neighbourhoods, instead of individual historic buildings.

Heritage Minister Steven Miles said it was up to the council to ensure the city’s heritage wasn’t lost to demolition crews.