Town Planning is a process of describing categories of land use.
White – No Planning Permit is Required. Conditions set out in Planning Schemes can apply.
Black – Prohibited. No Planning Permit can be granted.
Grey- A Planning Permit can be considered.
The discretionary (Grey) uses vary for each zone eg Industry, Residential, Farming, Public Purposes etc.
National Housing Accord
The National Housing Accord is an agreement across all levels of government, institutional investors, and the construction sector to address housing supply and affordability.
All states and territories committed to undertaking expedited zoning, planning, and land release to deliver the joint commitment on social and affordable housing in well-located areas.
Changes:
The Minister for Planning not the Council considers the Applications Some things stay the same
While the Department Planners focus on the Big Build in Metro Melbourne, the existing provisions relating to residential subdivisions have not changed.
Councils consider Planning Applications and decide permit conditions.
Conditions tailored to local supply and labour costs can require:
When the permit issues owners can provide the building envelopes to interested buyers.
The buyer can instruct a house designer prepare compliant plans and specifications and then invite builders and landscapers to quote.
Housing delivered this way does not need a developer. It needs collaboration and independent advice.
Ecological Sustainable Design and Development Group Actions.
A Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply of homes in Regional Victoria.
The submission adopted by the BSFG Committee Meeting on 27 March 2025 provides evidence that vacant residential lots ranging in size from 160m2 to 600m2 are considered a viable option for some owners, designers and builders.
It is published on the BSFG Website.
Requirements
B Benalla West Stage 1.
Homes Victoria asked nearby neighbours, community organisations, local council and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the design plans for the new homes planned for Benalla West – Stage One.
The proposal is to increase the number of houses from 20 to 48
A seventeen-page response was provided by BSFG on 4 June 2025 (the deadline).
Response
North Facing Windows
19 (40% of 48) houses did not provide north-facing windows.
Gardening access to the rear yard
29 (60% of 48 houses) forced gardening access through the house.
Car Parking for 48- 96 cars will require on street parking:
Orientation of roads and lots
The exhibited plans provided new roads and lanes
The Action Group Report summarises the Homes West proposal, provides analysis and recommendations in relation to:
It can be provided on request to [email protected]
Howard Bartlett
24 June 2025
White – No Planning Permit is Required. Conditions set out in Planning Schemes can apply.
Black – Prohibited. No Planning Permit can be granted.
Grey- A Planning Permit can be considered.
- Procedures like advertising, objections and appeals are described and Decision Guidelines are provided.
- Referral authorities are provided an opportunity to make a submission.
- If a party is not happy the matter is arbitrated by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT)
The discretionary (Grey) uses vary for each zone eg Industry, Residential, Farming, Public Purposes etc.
National Housing Accord
The National Housing Accord is an agreement across all levels of government, institutional investors, and the construction sector to address housing supply and affordability.
All states and territories committed to undertaking expedited zoning, planning, and land release to deliver the joint commitment on social and affordable housing in well-located areas.
Changes:
- Some residential design standards have been made Deemed to Comply which means that a proposal will be approved if the Standard is met.
- The rights of objectors to appeal is removed.
- The changes relate to apartments and row houses.
The Minister for Planning not the Council considers the Applications Some things stay the same
While the Department Planners focus on the Big Build in Metro Melbourne, the existing provisions relating to residential subdivisions have not changed.
Councils consider Planning Applications and decide permit conditions.
Conditions tailored to local supply and labour costs can require:
- Building Envelopes to be endorsed to form part of the subdivision permit.
- Registration of building envelopes with new titles.
When the permit issues owners can provide the building envelopes to interested buyers.
The buyer can instruct a house designer prepare compliant plans and specifications and then invite builders and landscapers to quote.
Housing delivered this way does not need a developer. It needs collaboration and independent advice.
Ecological Sustainable Design and Development Group Actions.
A Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply of homes in Regional Victoria.
The submission adopted by the BSFG Committee Meeting on 27 March 2025 provides evidence that vacant residential lots ranging in size from 160m2 to 600m2 are considered a viable option for some owners, designers and builders.
It is published on the BSFG Website.
Requirements
- The price is affordable
- Identical lots are located side by side.
- Building envelopes are approved as part of the Planning Permit to Subdivide.
- Building Envelopes are registered on title.
B Benalla West Stage 1.
Homes Victoria asked nearby neighbours, community organisations, local council and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the design plans for the new homes planned for Benalla West – Stage One.
The proposal is to increase the number of houses from 20 to 48
A seventeen-page response was provided by BSFG on 4 June 2025 (the deadline).
Response
North Facing Windows
19 (40% of 48) houses did not provide north-facing windows.
Gardening access to the rear yard
29 (60% of 48 houses) forced gardening access through the house.
Car Parking for 48- 96 cars will require on street parking:
- Existing and new road reserve widths of at least 18.0m
- Street parking at right angles
- Room for advanced trees with a growing canopy.
Orientation of roads and lots
The exhibited plans provided new roads and lanes
- New east west roads should provide frontages on the north and south side.
- Party or touching side walls on side boundaries will have no windows.
- Windows and doors can face north onto sunny private yards.
- A new 12.0m wide road abutting the south boundary of Waminda Park will enable north facing windows to overlook the park
The Action Group Report summarises the Homes West proposal, provides analysis and recommendations in relation to:
- House Design
- Subdivision Design
- Sales and Marketing
It can be provided on request to [email protected]
Howard Bartlett
24 June 2025
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