AN overhaul of Victoria’s planning zones has drawn criticism from Wyndham Council, which fears the changes will strip neighbours’ rights to oppose development.
In response to the biggest reform of planning controls in 30 years — dividing Melbourne into three distinct residential zone categories — the council welcomed new restrictions on developments in some suburban areas, but hit out at the types of buildings that will no longer need to be assessed for a permit.
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Councillors last week discussed the impact of the proposed changes that were detailed in a lengthy submission to the government.
Cr John Menegazzo said the shake-up was likely to provide “greater uncertainty, not certainty” to Wyndham’s planning scheme and result in more cases being referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. He said the biggest worry for Wyndham was the proposed changes leading to “commercial creep”, with shops and offices permitted without a permit within 100 metres of shopping strips on the same road frontage.
“Commercial zones are to be extended into residential zones, with no rights of appeal, even against the height of the building, loud noise or busy car parks. The zoning changes will increase the number of [commercial] uses, with no rights of appeal when a large development is plonked next to residents, including no rights of appeal against unlimited hours of operation.”
In rural areas, the council is concerned about the lifting of existing limits on green wedge land use. A report stated the removal of limits on tourism-based developments would allow a range of primarily urban uses currently prohibited, including function centres and large-scale accommodation.
Cr Menegazzo said the council might not be able to properly advocate on behalf of residents in planning matters. “Council will no longer have the ability to assess the impact on adjoining owners or occupiers in terms of operation hours, lighting, traffic generation . . . things we take for granted.”
Releasing details of the reforms in July, Planning Minister Matthew Guy hit out at critics. “I know the obvious line . . . we are going to concrete over the place. It’s just crap, that is not the case.” Some developments that would not require a planning permit in residential areas under the changes, such as medical centres and churches, could be moved into the category requiring a permit, he said.
