A World War II air raid shelter in Brisbane that was converted into a cafe has been given urgent protection by the Brisbane City Council.
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Bunker Coffee at 21 Railway Terrace, Milton, opened in 2010 and on Tuesday the council issued a temporary protection order over the property.
The coffee shop is covered in green vines with some basic seating outside, but the small space was once a World War II air raid shelter.
City planning chairman Matthew Bourke has written to State Development Minister Cameron Dick to seek approval for the protection order, known as a Temporary Local Planning Instrument TLPI.
“The concrete shelter at 21 Railway Terrace, Milton, has been identified as a potential local heritage place which may have heritage significance as a former private World War II air raid shelter,” he wrote.
“Further research is required on the place to accurately determine the extent of its significance.”
The bunker is included on the council's Meander Through Milton heritage trail.
Lord mayor Graham Quirk said the property was subject to an inquiry about whether the shelter could be demolished.
“Further investigations found that there was no protection over the site, which allows for the legal demolition of the building,” he said.
A second property, in Coorparoo, was also listed for protection.
The property "Balbair" is an inter-war old English style home set on a large lot on the corner of Mackay and Verry streets.
Cr Bourke also included details of the Coorparoo property in his letter to Mr Dick.
“The residence and garden at 19 Mackay Street, Coorparoo, have been identified as having local cultural heritage significance,” he wrote.
“The site has been included in a proposed amendment to City Plan, however, it is under risk of development in the form of subdivision that would impact its local heritage significance.”
Property records revealed the Coorparoo property was sold for $2 million in June.
The council received a development application on August 6 proposing the subdivision of the block.
The assessment report, submitted as part of the application, said the site was currently occupied by the two-storey pre-1946 house which would be retained in its original place part of the subdivision.
The TLPI has immediately protected both properties from any development, including subdivision.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Mr Dick was yet to receive the letter from Cr Bourke.
Opposition leader Peter Cumming said Labor supported the TLPI but said the administration brought the need for it upon themselves.
“It’s the usual last-minute panic because they didn’t do a comprehensive audit of the city and if resources had been put there originally this sort of application wouldn’t be necessary,” he said.
Cr Bourke said the council acted on the best advice it had at the time with the threat and potential that one of the sites may go at any moment with a building or demolition approval from a private certifier.
The TLPI for the Milton and Coorparoo properties was passed unanimously by the council.
