The objective of the Ipswich Heritage Program is to identify places of cultural heritage significance within Ipswich and to encourage their conservation for the present community and future generations, including both residents and visitors.
Strategies
- Leadership in heritage conservation: provide leadership to encourage conservation of the city's cultural heritage assets.
- Heritage awareness promotion: promote community awareness of the city's cultural heritage.
- Program administration: administer Ipswich Heritage Program in a cost-effective and customer-focused manner.
Overview
In June 1990, Ipswich City Council made a commitment to the most ambitious heritage action plan yet undertaken in Queensland - and indeed one of the most ambitious heritage programs undertaken anywhere in Australia. The goal of the Ipswich Heritage Program as adopted by Council on 14 June 1990 is 'to identify places of cultural significance within the City of Ipswich and encourage their conservation'.
Character Provisions
It is recognised that buildings must be functional to satisfy the requirements of current owners and uses. It is not the intent of the Ipswich City Council to dictate how people in historic buildings should live, or to intrude unnecessarily upon people's privacy. However, any alterations that are intended should be carried out sympathetically so that the heritage value of the existing building and the character of its immediate streetscape and neighbourhood are conserved and enhanced..
- Restoration of Buildings on the Queensland Heritage Register
If a building is listed under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, its level of significance will require that the building be restored to the best contemporary conservation practice. This will apply to only a small number of buildings within Ipswich. Owners are notified of the relevant requirements under the Queensland Heritage Act by the Department of Environment and Science. - Restoration of Other Historic Buildings
Work to these buildings need not necessarily conform to the same rigorous standards externally and internally as State listed historic buildings, however they are still worthy of the highest care and attention. Inappropriate work should be avoided and the information contained in the Ipswich Heritage Information Kit should be followed if needless downgrading of the building's heritage value is to be avoided. The Heritage Information Kit is available from the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre or it is available online on the Picture Ipswich website. - Alterations and Extensions
Many building owners will want to extend their building to create extra rooms, update kitchens and bathrooms, or to build garages and carports. Externally, the new work should reflect as far as possible, the style and features of the original building. The placement of extensions, their scale and form should be carefully considered.