Author: melanie.ellis@changeofplan.com.au

Bayside Council have just started a new structure plan project for the area adjacent to Southland Shopping Centre.  The first stage involves background research and initial input from the community about the area.  They are looking for feedback on both the current issues of the...

In a recent project of ours the idea of equitable development has arisen. Equitable development is the concept of not unreasonably impacting on the development potential of other properties. It is more likely to be considered in areas where a high level of development and...

The Minister for Planning has refused three of Bayside Council's recent planning scheme amendments. Amendments C113, C114 and C115 were proposing to introduce mandatory maximum height controls within the Sandringham, Church Street and Bay Street activity centres. In January 2015 the Planning Panel appointed to consider...

We often get people contacting us for advice as to whether their project needs a planning permit, so I thought I would cover a few of the common projects over the next few months to answer this question.  You can contact us or your local...

As part of the Government's plan to reform town planning, the Residential Zones were amended recently.  The changes flow from the review of the residential zones that were started in November 2015.  Whoever said that planning doesn't move fast?! Summary of Changes Transitional provisions have been introduced...

I often get asked about planning scheme amendments, how the process works and what the implications are for current projects. The typical process for a significant planning scheme amendment is described below. While the process for Council driven amendments and private amendments (those facilitated by private...

There has recently been a change to the requirement for a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) that will assist with many small developments. Previously the main exemptions from requiring a CHMP related to developments of two or less dwellings, or subdivision of an existing building. but now...

** Update: The new planning fees have now been introduced and came into affect on the 13th October 2016.  More details are available here ** The State Government has been reviewing the Planning and Subdivision Fees that are payable when lodging a planning or subdivision application....

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....