According to the council, the interim heritage overlay is unique in that it seeks to protect only the existing subdivision and not the remaining structures.
Glenice Scott, who has lived with her husband Alan on the settlement for more than 40 years, said the proposed heritage overlay was just another restriction on their property and way of life.
"It's not needed, we already have fire and flood restrictions — there's enough overlays already in place," she said
She feared another overlay would further devalue their property.
"People already have real trouble trying to build or do anything else out here," she said.
The council said all affected land owners and residents in the area had been notified and six one-on-one consultation days had been held during July and August.
But people are still uncertain about their future.
"We're still waiting to hear — we don't know yet if we will be told what colour to paint our house. Zonings have been changed before," Roy Shepherd said.
Council is also dealing with compliance issues around planning permits and building safety standards in the area.
"There is a sprinkling of properties that don't have planning permission," the council's planning and building manager Colin Kalms said.
Strategic planning team leader Michael MacDonagh confirmed there were ongoing issues with some residents.
"There are a number of illegal structures. There have been people living in sheds, and that's a building compliance issue."
Mr MacDonagh said a 2015 fire in which a man died in his settlement property was a reminder about what could happen when buildings were unsafe.
