NEW residential zones will make it easier for planning applications, says Wyndham Council.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced the zones which will change development possibilities for land.
Three new zones will replace the current residential one, two and three — neighbourhood residential, residential growth and general residential.
Councils will nominate land for those zones within 12 months.
The neighbourhood zone limits building heights to eight metres and intends to protect neighbourhood character.
The general residential zone has a nine-metre discretionary height limit with planning documents showing it encourages developments that keep neighbourhood character.
Residential growth zone has a default variable height limit of 13 metres.
Mr Guy said this was “unashamedly one that will seek built form change” with greater density.
Other zones such as commercial and bulky goods zones will also be changed.
Wyndham chief executive Kerry Thompson said the council was reviewing details of the new zones but was supportive of the changes.
“In 2013, the council will commence a neighbourhood character and housing strategy which will include a strategic analysis of Wyndham’s housing.
“This will identify which, if any, areas of the municipality will be included within the new residential growth and neighbourhood residential zones.
“Council is yet to see the criteria that has been developed to assist in applying the new planning zones.”
Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said councils had discussed the new zones with Mr Guy prior to the October 2012 local government elections and that they provided certainty.
“It will be up to the councils to designate the no-go zones, the go-go zones and anything in between.”
