Council Minutes : HOUSING POLICY

 Housing Amendment  : SUMMARY


· Council adopted the Housing Strategy in May 2009 following nearly two years of public consultation and consequent modifications.


· Council’s adopted long term vision for housing in the Shire is; ‘to meet the range of
individual needs and contribute to attractive, vibrant and safe neighbourhoods while
minimising environmental impacts’.


· A proposed Planning Scheme amendment to implement the objectives of the
Housing Strategy has been prepared.


· The proposed amendment:


· Guides the location and form of new housing through planning scheme policies
and controls broadly consistent with the recommendations of the Housing Strategy.


· Ensures the Planning Scheme supports the need to meet future housing needs
based on current census information and other data.


· Provides opportunities for higher density residential development in eight
identified consolidation areas, while recognising their varying capacity to
accommodate change based on environment and available services.

· Allows limited infill development to occur in residential zones outside
consolidation areas now classified as restricted or least change.


· Introduces the Residential 3 Zone in restricted and least change areas with a
maximum height and site coverage control.


· Introduces subdivision controls in some restricted and least change areas and
Design and Development Overlays.


· Introduces Significant Landscape Overlays to implement Council’s
Neighbourhood Character Study affecting building height, site coverage, fences
and vegetation protection.


· The proposed amendment also represents a significant shift towards utilising the
standard planning tools available in the Victoria Planning Provisions to achieve
housing and neighbourhood character objectives rather than relying on the current
blanket control found in Clause 53.


· The proposed planning scheme amendment will require authorisation from the
Minister for Planning prior to a formal public exhibition process.

· It is recommended that Council now resolve to seek authorisation.


Comment as Question:  Is this the end of Dual Occs in Coldstream? 
Me thinks NOT, as it goes against all State Housing Policies.