New and updated apartment standards
Recent State-wide Planning Scheme Amendment VC174 has introduced new provisions for apartment development applications, to implement the recently revised Better Apartment Design Standards.
One Planner's Archive
Discussion Papers & Articles
Extension of Better Apartment Standards
The Victorian State Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has been consulting on changes to the Better Apartment Design Standards, which were introduced to Victoria’s Planning Schemes in April 2017. The next phase of the Standards seeks to ensure apartment developments have a positive impact on their local area. DELWP has prepared a discussion paper proposing potential changes to the Apartment Standards, with five main policy aims seeking to provide:
Better Apartments Draft Design Standards finally released
The Better Apartments Design Draft Standards have been released for final public comment, prior to their anticipated introduction later this year. Described as a ‘game changer’ by some, the release of the standards certainly grabbed our attention and we urge all practitioners who work with apartment buildings to get involved in the public consultation process.
Here Comes The Sun
Better Apartments is a joint project between the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA). In May 2015, the DELWP released Better Apartments – A Discussion Paper, seeking feedback from the public, practitioners and other interested parties. Of the issues raised in that feedback, the number 1 issue was daylight, being a component of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).