The independent panel considering the future of planning zones and updated rules for Kingston has released its recommendations following recent public hearings.
This important city-shaping amendment – C203 – seeks to implement the key recommendations of the Kingston Housing Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study (2021) into the Kingston Planning Scheme via new planning controls and policy.
As the formal framework for housing over the next 20 years it includes a series of priorities needed to make housing more diverse, sustainable, and matched to the changing needs of the local community.
The Victorian Government estimates Melbourne will grow to 7.9 million people by 2051 and its Plan Melbourne sets out how all local Councils will have to take their fair share of the growth.
The amendment and accompanying strategy include new format residential zones and overlays, as required by the State Government, that will direct key issues including building heights, setbacks, and landscaping in local streets outside of major activity centres.
The panel findings are generally supportive of council’s Amendment C203, most notably the application of new planning zones, but did include some recommendations to further enhance the relevant planning controls.
Kingston Mayor Hadi Saab said council has been working alongside our community over several years in developing these new planning rules and we are now at the pointy end of the process.
“As always, we remain committed to ensuring Kingston is well planned, with any future growth centred in and around our key activity centres, close to public transport, shops, and services to allow us to protect the amenity of our neighbourhood streets,” Cr Saab said.
Council is yet to consider the Planning Scheme Amendment based on the recommendations of the Planning Panel Report.
Some of the key findings and recommendations from the panel include:
- Support for the new planning zones and updated rules in Amendment C203 subject to some changes
- Apply the General Residential Zone (three-storeys) to small pockets of Clayton South, Parkdale and Edithvale that were zoned for two-storey dwellings (Neighbourhood Residential Zone).
- Removing the proposed Private Open Space (POS) requirements including reducing balcony sizes to be consistent with Victorian Government standards and deleting some tree planting requirements
- Some changes to the DDO1 including the wording of the Overlay and the application of the General Residential Zone (three-storeys) to pockets of Parkdale and Mentone near the activity centres.
“Thanks to all the members of the community who have participated in this important process up until now, including making submissions. We are looking forward to having a resolution soon and moving forward with our action plan for carefully balancing how we manage population growth in our city,” Cr Saab said.
A report will be listed for a meeting in August when a decision will be made whether to adopt the amendment, and if so, in what form, and it will be then submitted to the Minister for Planning for the final decision.
