Have your say – Developing a new Queensland heritage strategy

Heritage is more than just the past, it’s our legacy. It reflects the stories, connections, places and experiences that have shaped Queensland’s communities. By protecting and celebrating our heritage, we ensure these stories and places are preserved and shared for generations to come.

Queensland’s heritage protection laws are among the oldest in Australia, but they have remained largely unchanged for over 30 years. Queensland’s Heritage Strategy was released in 2015. During this time, the landscape in which heritage exists has evolved significantly, presenting new challenges and opportunities.

To address these changes, we’re developing a new Queensland Heritage Strategy. This strategy will deliver a modern framework that balances the protection of heritage with the need for sustainable growth and development.

The new strategy will succeed the existing strategy and deliver a fresh start for heritage to ensure we are best placed to take necessary and contemporary action to improve our heritage stewardship and guardianship.

Discussion paper

We’re inviting Queenslanders to have their say on the development of a new Queensland Heritage Strategy.

The Delivering a fresh start for Queensland’s heritage discussion paper (PDF, 8.9 MB) outlines five key areas for feedback:

1. Making heritage more accessible
2. Improving stewardship of heritage places and stories
3. Celebrating Queensland’s rich heritage
4. Optimising the economic and social benefits of heritage
5. Enhancing governance and modernising legislation

We’re also seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 aimed at streamlining and modernising Queensland’s heritage legislation.

Your input is important. It will help shape a balanced, forward-thinking approach to heritage stewardship – one that ensures heritage remains relevant and connected to Queenslanders, and continues to provide a unique experience for visitors, now and into the future.

How to provide feedback

Your feedback will be used to inform the development of the new Queensland Heritage Strategy and shape a review of the proposed amendments to the Queensland Heritage Act.

Please consider the questions posed in the discussion paper’s (PDF, 8.9 MB) focus areas and share your thoughts via the below methods.

Consultation closes at 5pm, 31 March 2026.

Email your submission

Submissions can be emailed to HeritageFeedback@detsi.qld.gov.au

Answer questions online

You can also provide feedback via www.detsi.qld.gov.au/consultation

In person workshop

These workshops will be in-person and provide an opportunity for you to hear about what is proposed for the future of Queensland’s heritage and to share your insights and perspectives on developing a new Queensland Heritage Strategy. We are also seeking your input on proposed amendments to the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, aiming to enhance the protection and management of Queensland’s heritage assets.

Please register to attend your preferred session. The registration form is brief and should take less than five minutes to complete. You may select your preferred session and/or indicate if you would like to receive updates.

REGISTER

Session details

• Maryborough – 11 March 2026 (Wednesday), 10.00am at Services Club, Maryborough : Cancelled due to weather. Please register for the hybrid session in Ipswich.
• Rockhampton – 12 March 2026 (Thursday), 11.00am at Jim Webber Room, City Hall
• Mackay – 13 March 2026 (Friday), 11.00am at 44 Nelson Street, Mackay
• Townsville – 16 March 2026 (Monday), 1.00pm at Savoy Room, Rydges Hotel
• Cairns – 18 March 2026 (Wednesday), 10.00am at William McCormack Place, Cairns
• Toowoomba – 20 March 2026 (Friday), 11.00am at Toowoomba City Hall Annex
• Longreach – 24 March 2026 (Tuesday), 10.00am at the Birdcage Hotel : Cancelled due to weather but will be rescheduled at a future date (to be advised).  Alternatively, please register for the hybrid session in Ipswich.
• Ipswich– 25 March 2026 (Wednesday), [hybrid session] 2.00pm at 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
• Brisbane – 26 March 2026 (Thursday), 1.00pm at 3/F 400 George Street, Brisbane
• Gold Coast – 30 March 2026 (Monday), 2.00pm at 11 Holden Place, Bundall Southport community centre conference room, 6 Lawson street, Southport.

Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please get in contact with us by email at HeritageFeedback@detsi.qld.gov.au

Further information

If you have any questions about the consultation process, please contact us:
HeritageFeedback@detsi.qld.gov.au