[2014] VCAT 1420
General information, not legal advice.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
2014-11-18
Original judgment source is linked above.
Would the development fit its strategic and neighbourhood contexts?
What guidance is provided by the site's features and context?
What guidance is provided by the planning policy context?
Encourage development that respects the neighbourhood character of the area.
Implement neighbourhood character policy and adopted neighbourhood character guidelines.
Provide a diversity of housing types and moderate housing growth in locations offering good access to services and transport.
Encouraging a substantial proportion of new housing to be located within or close to Activity Centres and the Principle Public Transport Network particularly where there is high frequency and quality of transport services in operation[5].
These areas are typically located further away from Activity Centres and the Principal Public Transport Network, where there is less convenient pedestrian access. They will provide for well designed single dwellings and medium density dwellings.
Development must make a positive contribution to the desired future neighbourhood character, including opportunities for tree protection and planting.
Single dwellings and some medium density housing. A mixture of single dwellings, dual occupancies with some villa units and in limited circumstances town houses, where appropriate[6].
Fronting an arterial road that forms part of the Principal Public Transport Network that is in operation.
Within 5 minute walking distance (approximately 400 metres) to a Supermarket, or
Within 5 minute walking distance (approximately 400 metres) of a regional employment or education facility, such as a large public hospital, technology park, university or TAFE.
Large enough to make a significant contribution to the provision of a diversity of housing types in the area and space for a transition in built form and for landscaping.
In keeping with due bounds; not extreme, excessive or intense; of medium quantity or extent
Confined within limits; restricted; circumscribed; restricted with reference to powers or limitations
The Garden Suburban character area type has a spacious leafy character in generally formal garden settings, with space around and between dwellings, a relatively wide and open street space, and garden style vegetation, often mature and exotic, in both the private and public domain, creating an attractive, tree-dominated landscape setting in some streets. The most important characteristics of the area type are the scale, siting and architectural style of the dwellings and the vegetation and topography of their settings.
Development in these areas should reflect the main themes of existing dwelling styles, and defined special characteristics of particular precincts should be protected and enhanced.
These areas will accommodate change in a manner that supports the garden suburban character of the precinct. All developments will contribute to an enhanced treed environment, including opportunities for tree protection and planting, whilst providing for town houses and other medium density dwellings, as well as some dispersed single dwellings. Canopy trees and understorey vegetation will continue to contribute to the character of the area, particularly in front setbacks to reinforce the boulevard character, and along rear boundaries to soften the interface between dwellings.
The site coverage may be greater for sites in the GRZ1as long as tree and vegetation protection is achieved. The treed and spacious feel of the streetscape character will be retained and enhanced by ensuring front setbacks are large enough to plant a large tree and other vegetation. Building heights may also be increased for these developments, with the higher components generally positioned to front onto the street, and recessed from the lower levels to reduce their visual prominence and provide space for tree canopies.
Site coverage, landscaping and the landscape character
To ensure that the site coverage respects the existing or referred neighbourhood character and responds to the features of the site.
the vegetated character of the site and precinct is protected and enhanced by retaining existing vegetation and providing sufficient area for planting of additional trees and other vegetation.
To retain and enhance the vegetation, and in particular the tall trees in the area, that contributes to the identified character of the area.
To ensure that prior to removal of tall trees all alternatives are considered, including redesign of proposed buildings and associated works.
To ensure that where a tree to be removed, comprehensive landscape plans are prepared and provision is made for substantial vegetation and trees elsewhere on the site.
To protect and enhance the area as a habitat for local flora and fauna.
Would the development impose adverse amenity impacts on neighbours?
Would the development provide acceptable amenity for its future residents?
When approved the landscape plan will be endorsed to form part of this permit.
(a) A plan and corresponding detail identifying the location of Trees #1 and #13 (as identified in the Tree Assessment Report prepared by Kylie May October 2013).
(i) The processes required to initiate, manage and protect trees during the construction process including inspections by the City of Banyule's Development Planning Arborist.
(ii) The treatment required for the driveway when in the tree protection zones of site trees and neighbouring trees
(iii) Inclusion of the project arborist details, dates when periodical inspections will take place to ensure compliance.
(iv) Show locations of tree protection fencing and any other methods such as signage, and limits to access that may be used to protect trees during demolition and construction.
(v) A tree protection plan showing locations of tree protection and any trunk and ground protection required.
(iii) Other relevant recommendations.
(iv) Any underground service installations within the Tree Protection Zone be bored to a depth of at least 0.6 metres;
(a) How waste and recycling materials are to be managed within and collected from the subject site;
(b) Anticipated frequency of collection(s) and hours of collection(s);
(c) How bin storage areas will be maintained to ensure there is no unreasonable emission of odour or noise;
(d) Provision of bin storage and collection areas for all dwellings and the shop; and
(e) Nomination of collection point (must not be within the laneway to the rear of the site).
In accordance with section 69 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the responsible authority may extend the periods referred to if a request is made in writing along with payment of relevant fee before the permit expires, or within three months afterwards.
[1] We have considered the submissions of all the parties that appeared, all the written and oral evidence, all the exhibits tendered by the parties, and all the statements of grounds filed. We do not recite or refer to all of the contents of those documents in these reasons.
[3] Plan Melbourne: Metropolitan Planning Strategy DTPI 2014
[6] Reformed Residential Zones for Victoria Fact Sheet July 2014 DTPLI
[8] Maher v Darebin CC [2014] VCAT 912 paras 18, 19
[9] Including at Clauses 15, 21.04-1.1, 22.02-3, 52.06, 55 and 65.01.
[10] At Clause 55.04-1 Side and rear setbacks.
[11] Including Clauses 15.01-2 and 22.03.
[14] Based on a generation rate of 5 vehicle movements per apartment with 10% of these movements occurring during the peak hour periods.
[15] Tree Assessment Report prepared by Kylie May Consultant Arborist of John Patrick Pty Ltd October 2013 and Arboricultural Impact Assessment by Sean Gentry Consulting Arborist of Treespace dated 24 September 2014.
[16] Including at Clauses 16.01-4, 21.04-1 and 55.02-3.
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