The long awaited new (draft) residential zones were released by the State Government earlier this year and are contained in its report 'New residential zones for Victoria - Consultation Draft' (February 2009).

The need for the new zones can be traced back to the 'Making local policy stronger' (June 2007) report and the working group which concluded that the current residential zones did not effectively reflect the strategic objectives of most local housing strategies. The working group recommended that more locally responsive residential zones be developed to better implement State and local housing policies. The 'New residential zones for Victoria - a discussion paper' (February 2008) subsequently canvassed the concept of three new residential zones, being the:

  • Substantial Change Zone.
  • Incremental Change Zone.
  • Limited Change Zone.

The new draft zones generally provide for greater local variability in terms of controlling built form (in particular height). The aim is to eventually translate the existing residential zones, in consultation with local councils, into the new zones. At a glance the key features of the draft new zones and their translations are:

  • Substantial Change Zone will replace the Residential 2 zone. This zone provides for housing growth by a mix of housing types that includes medium to higher density housing in appropriate locations. This zone includes a mandatory height limit of 13.5 metres and the ability to vary height limits and exemptions from notice and review through a schedule.
  • Incremental Change Zone will replace the Residential 1 zone. This zone also allows for a variety of housing types, including medium density housing, provided that it respects the character of the neighbourhood. This zone includes a mandatory height limit of 9 metres and the ability to vary height limits and exemptions from notice and review through a schedule. The ResCode standards can also be varied in a schedule to this zone.
  • Limited Change Zone will replace the Residential 3 zone. This zone enables specific characteristics of the neighbourhood to be protected through greater control over new housing development. This zone includes a mandatory height limit of 9 metres and the ability to vary height limits through the schedule. It also includes the ability to specify a minimum lot size in the schedule for subdivision proposals. The ResCode standards can also be varied in a schedule to this zone.

Over 430 submissions were made in the first round of consultation associated with the discussion paper and a further 220 submissions were made in regards to the draft zones during the exhibition period, which ended 9 April 2009. These submissions have been referred by the Minister for Planning to an independent Advisory Committee, which will conduct public hearings and make recommendations, in accordance with the Terms of Reference. The hearings will be held between 1 June and 16 June 2009 in Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo. The Department of Planning and Community Development intends to post the timetable on its website from 25 May 2009.

We will keep you posted on further developments.

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