Real Estate Prahran

Stonnington’s Heritage Overlay – What Prahran Owners Need to Know

Prahran’s significant properties and precincts are managed through the City of Stonnington Planning Scheme and Heritage Overlay provisions.

Existing heritage controls apply to parts of Prahran’s commercial and residential areas, including the Chapel Street area, the Airlie Avenue Precinct and the Chomley Street Precinct. These controls can affect demolition, renovation, extensions, new buildings, subdivision and other changes to a property.

Owners should check the current Heritage Overlay, zoning and applicable schedule for their individual Prahran address before preparing renovation or development plans.

The Prahran and Windsor Heritage Review was completed by Stonnington with Extent Heritage in 2024. It identified additional properties and precincts of potential local heritage significance. Amendment C331ston proposes permanent Heritage Overlay controls for 10 individual places, 9 precincts and 4 extensions to existing precincts. It also proposes updated statements of significance for 13 individual places and 7 precincts. 

Amendment C331ston is not yet an operative planning control. While the public exhibition period closed on 20 July 2026 and Council is currently considering the submissions received, interim protections are already active across the subject areas.

The key Prahran heritage areas, in brief:

• Chapel Street area: Parts of the Chapel Street area are subject to heritage controls that protect significant commercial buildings and streetscape character. Owners should check the current planning scheme map and applicable Heritage Overlay schedule for the individual Prahran address before undertaking works.
• Airlie Avenue Precinct (HO178): This Prahran residential precinct was extended through Amendment C304ston to include specified properties at 546–574 High Street, 74–100 even Chomley Street and 1–5 odd and 2–28 even Willis Street. The current schedule and map should be checked to confirm whether an individual property is included. 
• Chomley Street Precinct (HO386): This established residential precinct in Prahran was extended through Amendment C304ston to include 73–95 even Chomley Street and 15–21 odd and 34–38 even Packington Place. 
• Lalbert Crescent: Amendment C331ston includes proposed changes to Neighbourhood Character Overlay Schedule 8 and proposed new heritage controls. Owners should check the exhibited amendment map and applicable planning scheme schedule to confirm whether a Lalbert Crescent property is affected. 

Ongoing Heritage Overlay Reviews and Boundary Updates

The Prahran and Windsor Heritage Review updates heritage information developed through earlier studies of Prahran’s buildings, streetscapes and residential areas.

Amendment C331ston proposes new individual and precinct Heritage Overlays, extensions to existing Prahran precincts and changes to existing controls. The proposed changes include property removals, grading changes, updated names and addresses, additional controls, revised statements of significance and curtilage changes. 

The proposed C331ston controls should not be treated as current or operative Heritage Overlay requirements until the amendment process is completed and the changes are incorporated into the Stonnington Planning Scheme.

The practical takeaway for owners:

The applicable heritage controls should be checked against the individual address in Prahran before any decisions are made regarding renovation, extension, demolition, or redevelopment. Owners should distinguish between a Heritage Overlay that currently applies to the property and a proposed change under Amendment C331ston.

 What usually needs a planning permit in these precincts?

• Demolition: Demolition or removal of a building, part of a building, fence, wall or outbuilding within a Prahran Heritage Overlay can require a planning permit. 
• External changes: You may need a permit for changes to the appearance or heritage significance of a property in Prahran. This could mean changes to windows, doors, roofs, walls, fences, signs, outbuildings, garages, verandahs and pergolas. 
• New buildings and extensions: New buildings, additions, and alterations in Prahran are assessed against the relevant Heritage Overlay controls, the statement of significance, and the heritage policy. Minor works to a non-contributory building may be eligible for a streamlined pathway where the applicable requirements are satisfied. 
• Subdivision: Subdivision within a Prahran Heritage Overlay may require a planning permit. The assessment may take into account the heritage place, significant trees, gardens, views, setting and future development pattern. 
• Heritage fabric: Alterations to significant original architectural features may be subject to heritage controls.

What’s generally exempt from a heritage permit?

• Internal changes: A planning permit is generally not required for internal alterations unless internal alteration controls apply to the heritage place. Other planning, building or construction requirements may still apply.
• External repainting: A planning permit is generally not required for external repainting unless the Heritage Overlay schedule or the Victorian Heritage Register controls specify otherwise. Painting an unpainted surface generally requires a permit.
• Like-for-like repairs: Maintenance, repairs and routine maintenance are generally exempt only where they do not change the appearance of the heritage place and are undertaken using the same details, specifications and materials.

Note: Property-specific exemptions: Heritage exemptions depend on the individual schedule, so owners should confirm the controls applying to their Prahran property before commencing work. Stonnington provides heritage planning information and advice for properties affected by Heritage Overlay controls. 

How Heritage Overlays Can Affect Property Value

Heritage controls can preserve Prahran’s period architecture, historic commercial areas, and established residential streetscapes while limiting certain demolition, extension, and redevelopment options.

For buyers assessing houses for sale in Prahran, heritage status may affect renovation potential, development options and the long-term use of a Prahran home. The effect on market value is property-specific and can depend on the building’s condition, architectural significance, location, zoning, lot size and likely renovation costs.

When evaluating real estate in Prahran, buyers should consider the property’s current Heritage Overlay, planning permit history, zoning, title information and any proposed changes under Amendment C331ston. A Heritage Overlay is only one factor when assessing a Prahran property’s marketability and future potential.

 How can owners speed up the permit process?

• Early heritage advice: Stonnington provides information and advice for planning applications affecting Prahran properties in a Heritage Overlay. Owners may also consult a heritage architect, town planner or heritage consultant before preparing detailed plans. 
• Check the schedule: Before you start drawing up detailed renovation plans, check the property’s current Heritage Overlay, zoning, statement of significance and applicable controls. The Stonnington zones and overlays map is a useful tool for discovering which planning controls apply to a Prahran address. 
• Professional planning advice: Heritage architects and planning consultants can identify Prahran heritage constraints, recommend an appropriate design response, and help prepare supporting documents before lodging an application.
• VicSmart pathway: Eligible minor applications in a Heritage Overlay may qualify for Stonnington’s streamlined 10-day VicSmart process. Examples can include eligible fences, solar panels, minor works to non-contributory buildings and some crossovers. Owners should check their eligibility with the Council before applying, as this depends on the relevant planning controls and on whether the proposal meets all requirements.
• Working with a real estate agent in Prahran: When buying, selling, or planning major works, a local real estate agent in Prahran can offer insight into Prahran’s marketability, renovation expectations, and buyer interest. Consideration of development by owners should involve obtaining an interpretation of legal controls and permit requirements from Stonnington Council or a qualified professional.