Housing

September 14, 2018

Can I Subdivide Without Building the Units?

Posted at 18:10h in Housing, Planning Process

Going through the process of town planning approval to build townhouses or units on your land and subdividing them can be a complex and lengthy process. Many land owners that we speak to want to know if they can just subdivide the land, or at...

April 21, 2018

What to Consider When Buying Land With an Approved Planning Permit

Posted at 09:35h in Housing

I thought I would share a couple of things to considering when purchasing a property with an approved planning permit already on it. This post is especially relevant when you are considering a site for a multi unit development. Of course there are many checks and...

July 19, 2017

Equitable Development Principles

Posted at 22:58h in Housing

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...

April 01, 2017

The Residential Zones Have Been Amended – Again

Posted at 08:21h in Housing, Planning Controls

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...

September 29, 2015

Transitional Provisions in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone

Posted at 05:11h in Housing, Planning Controls

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...

September 22, 2015

Urban Development in a Bushfire Management Overlay

Posted at 09:27h in Housing, Planning Policy

There have been a number of changes to the Bushfire Management Overlay and Clause 52.47 (Planning For Bushfire), particularly in relation to applications in established urban areas. Recently I had an application in Seaford (Frankston City Council) that allowed me to experience what the recent...

August 24, 2015

Bayside Planning Scheme Amendment

Posted at 13:25h in Housing, Planning Policy

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...

May 24, 2015

Successful New Residential Zone for Client in Moreland Council

Posted at 10:40h in Housing, Planning Controls

As part of the residential zone amendment process at Moreland Council we put forward a submission to revise the Council's original Neighbourhood Character Zone to a Residential Growth Zone for a client's property in Pascoe Vale. We argued that the residential site was well placed for higher density...

April 27, 2015

Moorabbin Activity Centre Zone

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...

September 12, 2014

Building in Bushfire Prone Areas

Posted at 15:18h in Housing

On the 31st of July the State Government introduced changes to the bushfire planning regulations to give greater certainty to landowners in bushfire prone areas. The key changes include: Greater certainty to build, extend or replace a dwelling in land that has a residentially focused zoning...