A new ‘townhouse code’ will rapidly approve new home buildings up to three storeys tall, provided they meet community and resident requirements.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny made the announcement, which will fast-track the approval of more duplexes, townhouses and low-rise apartments for workers and young people.
“Homes don’t get built when they’re lost in the snakes and ladders of the planning system — so we’re fixing that,” Ms Allan said.
“The status quo isn’t cutting it, and people trying to build homes for young people keep hearing the word ‘no’. The townhouse code is about a system that says ‘yes’.”
With the average assessment for a planning permit currently taking 145 days, the new code will help bypass the complex planning system without costly delays or VCAT involvement.
The townhouse code will also feature new standards for good development, including:
- Neighbourhood character rules such as six-metre setbacks at the front, and setbacks at the side and rear
- Tree canopy and open space requirements, including protecting trees that are a certain size
- A mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in projects of a certain size, to support families
- Protection for neighbours from overlooking and overshadowing
- Enough sunlight, storage, room size, ventilation and private open space for residents
- Buildings that are sustainable and energy efficient
“We believe in good, comfortable, well-designed homes — that’s why we’re codifying them,” Ms Kilkenny said.
“This can reduce planning permit assessment times by at least 60 per cent, in addition to the time saved at VCAT.”
A planning permit application will have to include all the evidence it meets the code, and once submitted, councils will assess if it meets the code, formally known as the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code.
If it is met, the application will be ‘deemed to comply’, fast-tracking the process. Affected neighbours will be notified and can have their say, but there are no third-party appeals at VCAT.
If the code isn’t met, then a normal planning process will then apply, with third-party appeal rights to be maintained.
If there are additional permit triggers locally such as flood or heritage overlays, or a zoned two-storey height limit, an application will need to comply with these rules as well as meeting the code, but will not need to comply with rules that are already standardised by the code.
The code will come into effect via an amendment to all planning schemes, subject to notification, with people being able to lodge an application in April.
Ms Allan also announced the government would soon be overhauling the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Consultation will being soon with all 79 councils.
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