Author: melanie.ellis@changeofplan.com.au

April 28, 2015

Posted at 10:15h in VCAT

A recent VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) decision has confirmed the limit of issues to be considered when making a decision on some types of planning applications. In determining a recent appeal, the Tribunal member first ascertained the scope of issues that could be considered.  The Tribunal...

April 27, 2015

Posted at 15:33h in Commercial/Industrial, Housing, Planning Policy

The area around and within the Moorabbin shopping centre and train station has been recently rezoned to the Activity Centre Zone. [caption id="attachment_35806" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Impression of Moorabbin Station Square[/caption] The rezoning follows extensive strategic work undertaken by Kingston City Council over several years.  The new zone...

February 25, 2015

Posted at 11:13h in Planning Process, Uncategorized

Recently the Bayside City Council have been seeking Amendments to three activity centres to introduce mandatory height limits. The amendments and public submissions received have been reviewed by an independent Panel and the Panel Report has just been released. The three activity centres are: Sandringham Village;...

February 09, 2015

Posted at 15:21h in Planning Process

I have just received the planning permit for a two unit development in Vera Street, Bentleigh East.  This was a collaboration with Enlight Building Design. [caption id="attachment_35786" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Townhouse impression of the recent successful town planning approval in Vera Street, Glen Eira. Image courtesy of...

January 21, 2015

Posted at 12:54h in VCAT

A recent VCAT Red Dot decision has cleared up any confusion regarding the applicable date that the transitional provisions within the Neighbourhood Residential Zone apply. The transitional provisions allow for the construction of more than two dwellings on a lot prior to the planning scheme amendment...

December 11, 2014

Posted at 11:15h in Planning Process, VCAT

In recent months the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) have introduced some new processes.  Two that are of particular interest are the change in the Notice of Decision process and an increased likelihood that Councils will have to reimburse applicants fees for failure hearings. New Process...

November 18, 2014

Posted at 13:22h in Uncategorized

What many restaurants, cafes and other eateries that want to serve alcohol on their premises don’t know is that obtaining a liquor licence is a two-step process. First, they need to get a planning permit from the Council before applying for a liquor licence from...

October 15, 2014

Posted at 11:14h in Uncategorized

At Change of Plan, I've had a lot of people ask me why they run into trouble when they put in a planning application to build an extra unit or house on a block of land that has a separately approved garage/carport in the frontage. Recently,...