In October 2018, Ministerial Planning Scheme Amendment VC149 introduced additional considerations for planning permit applicants into the Commercial 1 and Residential zones. The changes require specific consideration of a proposal’s impact on neighbouring rooftop solar energy generation facilities.
As noted above, Amendment VC149 was gazetted early August 2018. In addition to the C3Z the state-wide amendment seeks to provide more protection for existing roof top solar panels.
On 29 August 2018 the State Government approved Planning Scheme Amendment VC149 introducing the Commercial 3 Zone into the Victorian Planning Provisions. The new zone is part of the Victorian Government’s broader program of Unlocking Enterprise is a Changing Economy, seeking to consolidate “Enterprise Precincts” throughout Melbourne. Enterprise Precincts are local areas to champion new enterprise, diversity of employment, and product and process development in dense, accessible and amenity-rich precincts. The focus of the precincts is also to promote innovative and enterprising mixed-use precincts, with niche and creative industries, start-up businesses and businesses leveraging off automation, post industrialisation and the digital economy. The new zone seeks to implement the State Government’s Planning Strategy Plan Melbourne Implementation Plan Action 8, to unlock enterprise in a changing economy.
