Building or Developing? How will the new residential zone reforms affect you..
The government has recently completed a review of the residential zones that were introduced into Victorian planning schemes in 2014 – the Neighbourhood Residential Zone, the General Residential Zone, and the Residential Growth Zone. It comes as Melbourne
This review comes as Melbourne experiences unprecedented population growth and by 2050 is projected to become Australia’s largest city. The increasing development of the suburbs threatens the unique character of our suburbs which is valued by residents and so important to preserve, such as our heritage, trees, garden areas and streetscapes. Protecting these special characteristics is a priority for this Government. But it has to be balanced against the challenges that our increasing population brings.
These reformed residential zones were introduced to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by Amendment VC110 on 27 March 2017.
The changes will provide a fairer approach to managing residential development delivering consistent outcomes across Victoria’s suburbs, towns and cities. They will deliver certainty in residential areas, regardless of where you live.
The key reforms:
- Allow councils to define neighbourhood character and design objectives to be achieved.
- Strengthen building height controls in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and the General Residential Zone.
- Introduce a new mandatory requirement for a minimum garden area to be provided in residential developments in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and General Residential Zone.
- Remove the limit on the number of dwellings that can be built on land in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone.
Go to the government’s website to access facts sheets on your zoning
https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/planning-reform/reformed-zones-for-victoria/reformed-residential-zones
