Readers may recall that the State Government reformed the residential zones of the Victorian Planning Provisions between 2014 and 2017, with some additional improvements introduced in 2018.
Recent Planning Scheme Amendment GC172 has been prepared by the Minister for Planning and affects the Planning Schemes for Ararat, Boroondara, Glen Eira, Greater Geelong, Knox, Melbourne, Queenscliffe, Wellington and Whitehorse. The Amendment rezones residential land and modifies residential zone schedules in some of these municipalities, so that the provisions in the Planning Schemes are consistent with the reformed residential zones. The changes mainly ensure that the schedules to the zones have maximum mandatory building heights which are consistent with the zone provisions, that is 9 metres for the Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) and 11 metres for the General Residential Zone (GRZ). In other cases, maximum heights are changed to be consistent with existing Design and Development Overlay controls.
The changes in GC172 amend the above Planning Schemes in different ways, including:
- Increase the maximum building height in the schedule to the NRZ from 8 metres to 9 metres so that it is consistent with the zone provisions;
- Rezone GRZ land to NRZ to retain the maximum height of 9 metres;
- Rezone Residential Growth Zone (RGZ) land to GRZ and modify the maximum height;
- Increase the maximum building height in the schedules to the GRZ from 9 metres or 10.5 metres to 11 metres and three storeys so that it is consistent with the zone provisions;
- Increase maximum heights to be consistent with a Design and Development Overlay affecting the same area;
- Make consequential changes to the Municipal Strategic Statement at Clause 21 or to Local Planning Policy at Clause 22 to be consistent with the reformed residential zones.
Applicants with projects within these municipalities should check these changes. They may limit or provide additional opportunities, particularly where the maximum building height in the Schedule to the zone has been increased.
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