Planning Delegated Committee – May 2025

An Independent Planning Panel will determine the next steps towards permanent heritage protection of the 1912 Osborne House following a report received by Ballarat City Council at the Planning Delegated Committee Meeting on Wednesday 14 May 2025.  

Osborne House, a federation-era villa located at 214 Creswick Road, was designed by architect Percy Richards and is considered significant for its well-preserved demonstration of Richards’ architectural style and conservation of its original features.

Richards was a well-known architect in Ballarat for 40 years early in the 20th century, with Ballarat and Clarendon College on Sturt Street one of his most famous designs.

On 1 August 2024 the Minister for Planning applied an Interim Heritage Overlay (IHO) to the Osborne House property.  

The IHO provides heritage protection for 12 months while permanent heritage protection is sought concurrently through a Planning Scheme Amendment process.

The proposed Amendment was publicly exhibited from 21 November to 23 December 2024, and then again from 3 February to 3 March 2025.  

Three submissions by the public were received during this exhibition period, with two in support of the application of a permanent Heritage Overlay and one objection.

Ballarat City Council resolved to consider the submissions to the Amendment and acknowledge Council officers’ responses to the issues raised in the objection.

Councillors supported post exhibition changes to the Heritage Citation and Statement of Significance for Osborne House to address the objection. However, some matters remain unresolved.

In response, Councillors resolved to progress the Planning Scheme Amendment process by requesting the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Planning Panel.

Independent Planning Panels play an important role in the Planning Scheme Amendment process by considering submissions and making recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Planning Authorities, including councils.

This process will commence in the coming months.