Red Hill, named for its steep terrain, red soil and rocks, is one of Brisbane’s oldest suburbs (established in 1887).

Local landmarks include the iconic St. Brigid’s Church, the Red Hill Cinema (formerly the Skate Arena), and the Normanby Hotel; however, the suburb’s most recent claim to fame is featuring as the Heeler family’s home turf on the sensational kids’ TV show Bluey.

Red Hill is a rather sought after location to build in, due to its proximity to Brisbane CBD (3.2km); and gives a relaxed community feel makes it the perfect base for young professionals and families alike. Properties in Red Hill sell 25% faster than in any other area of Brisbane, with a median house price of around $1.5 million – making it slightly more affordable than the neighbouring suburbs of Paddington and Bardon.

If you are looking to build in or renovate your Red Hill property, here are some factors to consider before you get started:

Heritage and Character Restrictions

Because of its rich history, Red Hill features many pre-1946 homes, which are subject to the Traditional Building Character Overlay in the Brisbane City Plan.

This means that any renovations to a character home are likely to require planning approval to preserve the historical Queenslander style; especially when it comes to external changes and/or partial demolitions.

These restrictions mainly pertain to classic features such as timber stumps, verandas and tin roofs; however, the requirements may vary from property to property, so make sure to check with Brisbane City Council with time to spare.

Council Regulations and Approvals

Heritage Overlay aside, Brisbane City Council enforces a number of other building codes, including the Dwelling House (Small Lot) Code.

This means that you will need to lodge a planning application if your renovation exceeds 9.5 metres in height, adds more than two stories and/or breaches the suburb specific setback rules (front, rear or side).

To safeguard against unpleasant budget surprises, it’s worthwhile to budget about 4% of your total spend for council fees and building inspections.