WYNDHAM Council could have a greater say in how the city is developed after an overhaul of Victoria’s urban planning zones.
As part of the biggest changes to zoning since the 1990s, the state government is planning to bring in new restrictions in some areas and loosen the rules in others.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy has flagged removing green wedge restrictions to allow more tourism and agricultural projects.
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In neighbourhood residential zones, local features will be protected and there will be the toughest restrictions on developments and subdivisions, while general residential zones will permit modest development.
Residential growth zones will allow high-density developments near activity centres and railway stations.
The new growth zone could help Wyndham Council in its bid to rejuvenate Werribee’s
city centre. As reported by the Weekly,
the council plans to allow high and medium-density business and residential developments between the civic centre and Chirnside Park if its city centre structure plan is approved by residents and the government.
Mr Guy said the zoning overhaul would give councils more certainty.
“The proposed neighbourhood residential zone will restrict housing growth in area identified for preservation of the existing urban amenity and fulfils a key election commitment to protect neighbourhoods from inappropriate development,” he said.
“The new general residential zone and residential growth zone will enable councils to work with the local communities to determine the most appropriate locations for built form change to occur.”
Council’s chief executive Kerry Thompson said the impact of the reforms were still being considered, with a working group to be formed to assess the proposed zones and their relevance to Wyndham.
The council will make a submission to the government before September 21.
