New Victorian zoning rules to keep high-rise developers out of heritage suburbs
Certain Victorian suburbs deemed to have significant local character will be protected from towering apartment developments as part of changes to residential zoning.
Residential zones 1,2 and 3 will be replaced by neighbourhood residential, general residential and residential growth zones.
The 'neighbourhood residential' zone, billed as the strictest zoning in Australia, was created to ensure that any developments in areas with character that are of predominately single and double storey residences “respect the identified neighbourhood character, heritage, environmental or landscape characteristics".
New residential developments will have an eight metre height limit, if there is no other height limit in the area, as well as lot size restrictions.
The zone also allows for easier approval of medical centres and convenience stores to cater to an aging population.
The zone prohibits brothels, cinemas, nightclubs, certain retail premises, offices and others.
The boundaries of the zoning will be revealed with its implementation on July 1.
“This is the first time we will have a zone to genuinely protect neighbourhoods from inappropriate development,” planning minister Matthew Guy told The Herald Sun.
“It provides mandatory controls for councils on the numbers of lot, and on height – it is a very strong zone and it will help communities protect their streetscapes.”
Higher density residential development and office and retail projects will be restricted to the other two new zones – general residential and residential growth.
The reforms may prove unpopular with developers depending on where the boundaries fall.
“Melbourne is home to many important thoroughfares and activity centres which are ideal locations for appropriate housing developments,” Property Council of Australia state executive director Jennifer Cunich told The Herald Sun.
“It is important these areas be zoned correctly in order to provide housing choice for our growing population.”
Guy told The ABC the criteria councils will use to determine the new zones will be developed over the next two months.
"We will work with the Municipal Association and councils to make sure we have a criteria that looks at heritage issues, environmental issues, areas around existing transport links," he said.
The general residential zone will allow moderate housing growth and diversity with a nine metre height limit. The residential growth area will allow for medium density unit developments and will enable minor commercial uses.