Council will consider a proposed approach to planning scheme changes that support preferred future character outcomes in moderate growth areas at its 28 June 2022 meeting.

Overview of proposed approach

Council considered community feedback on preferred future character in growth areas in February 2022. Since then, we’ve been reviewing community feedback further, as well as previous studies, and the current neighbourhood character precinct statements that fall within General Residential Zone (GRZ) areas.

This process has helped us to refine, expand and – in some cases – consolidate zone schedules to better reflect our community’s preferred future character outcomes.

Concise proposed zone schedules now specify:

• character objectives
• variations (including setback requirements and minimum tree planting)
• application requirements (streetscape elevations and landscape plans)
• thorough decision guidelines that relate directly to the preferred future character of each area.

What has changed?

There are no changes proposed to the boundaries of General Residential Zones.

However, through the process of review it is now proposed to increase the number of zone schedules to better encapsulate the variety of character within the General Residential Zone.

For example one of the new zone schedules proposed will cover the core of all four Major Activity Centres, this is because they share a preferred future character.

However the interface of each of the four Major Activity Centres, where the boundary of the General Residential zone abuts another zone, will have an individual schedule to reflect the differences.

For the housing growth areas, Elsternwick is proposed to have a separate zone schedule to reflect the unique nature of the most northern part of our municipality. Pennydale and Cheltenham Housing Growth Areas, however, will continue to share a zone schedule. While there is some current difference between these two areas, the preferred future character outcome is envisioned to be the same.

Next steps

Council will consider whether to endorse the proposed approach to preparing a planning scheme amendment relating to preferred character outcomes for Bayside’s General Residential Zoned Moderate Growth Areas at its meeting on 28 June 2022

If the proposed approach is supported by Council, planning scheme amendment documentation will be finalised and submitted for authorisation to the Minister of Planning.

Once authorised, Council will exhibit the planning scheme amendment. A 28-day exhibition period will enable public review of the proposed amendment and submissions. Project subscribers will be notified of any exhibition period.