New blow for developers eyeing off historic Brisbane home

Brisbane City Council has put in place new legislation to ensure a controversial heritage home that’s recently hit the market can’t be demolished or subdivided by developers.

Lamb House is now permanently protected from development after council approved changes to planning legislation.

ABC Radio Brisbane reported on Tuesday that the heritage-listed Kangaroo Point mansion was recently listed for sale by Brisbane City Council (BCC) after a long-running dispute with owner Joy Lamb.

Lamb House has been at the centre of a long-running rates dispute. Picture: Realestate.com

The 3000 sqm property had been the target of developers hoping to subdivide the land into eight separate lots for the purpose of building multi-story buildings.
Council has been pursuing a formalised protection for the property for over two years, while a temporary planning instrument was in place to prevent demolition or development.

Inside historic Lamb House. Picture: Realestate.com

Historic Lamb House. Picture: Realestate.com

Mrs Lamb moved out of the property following the death of her husband years ago.

Since moving out, the council and Mrs Lamb have been in a bitter-feud over the BCC’s attempt to sell the property from underneath her to recover unpaid rates bills in a move she has described as “the real estate fraud of the century”.

Lamb House is up for sale. Picture: Realestate.com

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the legislation was the strongest legislative measure available to the council in order to prevent development.

“This is about formalising and implementing that protection on a permanent basis in the City Plan,” Cr Schrinner said.

“It includes zoning changes and updates to overlay mapping to protect the character and amenity of Lamb House and its grounds, and significant vegetation and streetscape values.”

The view from the veranda at Lamb House. Picture: Realestate.com