Deadwood

The property, positioned between the iconic Braidwood Bakery and Albion Hotel, forms part of the most active retail strip along Wallace Street. The site comprises two interconnected buildings — a single-storey shop fronting the street and a double-storey residence to the rear — on a 1,011 m² lot.

Historically, the site has evolved through many uses: from an early garage and service station to a long-running antique and vintage store. Despite an inscription of “Est. 1858” across its prominent street-facing awning, much of the existing building fabric reflects Inter-War era characteristics, rebuilt after a fire and progressively modified over the twentieth century.

When the current tenants took occupancy, they sought to revitalise the space as a creative retail and café concept; merging art, fashion, and locally roasted coffee, while maintaining the charm and eccentricity that Braidwood is known for.

The Challenge

The project involved establishing planning and heritage approval for a dual-use retail and café business operating within a highly sensitive heritage setting.

The proposal needed to demonstrate that the addition of food and beverage services would complement the existing retail offering, maintain the integrity of the heritage building, and contribute positively to the character and vitality of Wallace Street; Braidwood’s most historically and commercially active thoroughfare.

Planning Approach

PlanBE Planning prepared a comprehensive Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) that addressed the proposal’s alignment with local and state planning frameworks, including the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan [LEP] and the Braidwood Development Control Plan [DCP].

Key considerations included:

• Demonstrating that the change of use was harmonious with surrounding land uses and contributed to main street activation.

• Addressing heritage impacts in accordance with the objectives of the Braidwood Heritage Conservation Area.

• Providing detailed responses to Council’s performance criteria for access, drainage, waste, and fire safety.

Heritage Assessment

A detailed Heritage Impact Statement provided by Edwards Heritage Consultants confirmed that the proposal would result in a low heritage impact, while continuing to support the building’s long-term use and contribution to the historic streetscape.

Additional Reports

Supporting documentation for the Deadwood development included a Building and Compliance Verification Report confirming the integrity of plumbing, flue installation and internal structures, with no asbestos or historical service infrastructure detected. A Waste Management Plan outlined efficient collection and recycling processes via Duncan Street, ensuring environmentally responsible operations. Design documentation highlighted the project’s strong streetscape and heritage response, noting that the revitalised façade, hand-painted signage and planting enhanced main-street activation and local character. Combined with evidence of the café’s social and economic contribution; through local employment, visitor engagement and main-street vibrancy. These reports demonstrated the project’s success across compliance, sustainability and community outcomes.

Outcome

PlanBE’s coordinated submission; incorporating the Heritage Impact Statement, Statement of Environmental Effects, building inspection report, and waste plan, successfully demonstrated that the development posed no adverse impact on heritage values, complied with planning controls, and strengthened Braidwood’s commercial and cultural vitality.

The project was supported by Council and celebrated locally as an example of best-practice heritage adaptation.