24 Aug Bayside Planning Scheme Amendment
Bayside City Council are looking to introduce a major change to their residential planning controls. Amendment C140 has been prepared and is currently on exhibition. In particular the Amendment seeks to make changes to the Neighbourhood Residential Zone as follows:
- A minimum lot size of 400m2 for subdivision
- Increase in the amount of private open space to 75m2 with 60m2 to be provided as secluded private open space with a minimum dimension of 5m
- Increase the amount of permeable surfaces to 35%
- Increase the minimum rear setback to 4m
Submissions can be made until the 17th of September. You can view copies of the amendment and details of information sessions here.
As can be seen on the map below, the area that this amendment will be applied to is massive. In fact the Neighbourhood Residential Zone applies to approximately 80% of Bayside suburbs. 
The original application of the Neighbourhood Residential Zone was contrary to the principle of the Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee, to not apply this zone as the ‘default’ zone. The proposed amendments will further constrain future development. Bayside are clearly wanting to lock up the majority of land within the municipality from any form of development beyond single dwellings, forcing all future housing within activity centres. This puts paid to the ideas within State Government Policy of diversity of housing stock and choice.
In particular the proposed minimum lot size brings uncertainty to not only future development but existing development that hasn’t been subdivided yet.
With the future of development being so uncertain within Bayside I am recommending to my clients that they lodge planning applications as soon as possible.
Update
A Panel reviewed the Amendment and prepared a report in May 2016. The Panel recommended that the Amendment be abandoned due to significant flaws. In July 2016 the Amendment was formally abandoned by the Minister.