Error message

Warning: array_flip(): Can only flip STRING and INTEGER values! in EntityCacheControllerHelper::entityCacheLoad() (line 73 of /srv/www/drupal7/sites/all/modules/entitycache/includes/entitycache.entitycachecontrollerhelper.inc).
Warning: array_flip(): Can only flip STRING and INTEGER values! in EntityCacheControllerHelper::entityCacheLoad() (line 73 of /srv/www/drupal7/sites/all/modules/entitycache/includes/entitycache.entitycachecontrollerhelper.inc).
Warning: array_flip(): Can only flip STRING and INTEGER values! in EntityCacheControllerHelper::entityCacheLoad() (line 73 of /srv/www/drupal7/sites/all/modules/entitycache/includes/entitycache.entitycachecontrollerhelper.inc).
Warning: array_flip(): Can only flip STRING and INTEGER values! in EntityAPIController->load() (line 219 of /srv/www/drupal7/sites/all/modules/entity/includes/entity.controller.inc).

The state of new planning zone reforms - May 2014

| May 16,2014

| 0 min read

With only a few weeks to go until the deadline for Local Government Areas (LGA) to finalise and have their reformed planning zones ticked off by the Planning Minister, Ratio consultants - who have been following the process closely - have published an update on the state of play with the various metropolitan LGAs.

Ratio is tracking the status of each LGA's implementation of the reformed planning zones, linking to related council-specific documentation (where applicable) and providing some insightful commentary. Well worth the read.

The original document has been reproduced below with permission.

New Residential Zones Update - May 2014

Alastair Taylor

Alastair Taylor is a co-founder of Urban.com.au. Now a freelance writer, Alastair focuses on the intersection of public transport, public policy and related impacts on medium and high-density development.

Tags:

Victorian planning zone reform

Love this article?

Republish this article on your website for free

Republish this article

Editor's Picks

What a Labor Government means for housing affordability and the Australian property market

The suburbs where apartments are outperforming houses

Apartment completions shortage looms from 2024: NHFIC

Probuild collapse to hit apartment project delivery

Mirvac boost residential supply with lots in Sydney’s south west and Smiths Lane, Clyde North

Community Discussion (3)

Help contribute to the Urban community by leaving your comments about this article

Alastair Taylor 8 years ago

Say your property was rezoned to RGZ and 4 level buildings went up either side or in the immediate vicinity (say 100m away) of you - I fail to see how that would devalue your property given once a precedent is set, developers would then be more inclined to pay a higher price to secure your property or others nearby for redevelopment?

I find it unconscionable that Boroondara can leave a major corridor like Doncaster Road alone when it has all the Public Transport assets in place already to support higher densities (the #207 needs only double or triple the frequencies throughout the day to extend high frequency service beyond the tram line).

Reply to this comment

What would you like to respond to this comment?

James Adams 8 years ago

In the case you mention, yes, it will result in a huge increase in value of a property, which is why many of those who were rezoned as RGZ aren't as upset as the NIMBYs.

But I'm talking about neighbouring properties on side streets, behind the RGZ properties, which were zoned as NRZ. Developers have no opportunity at all for redevelopment, leading to no increase in value, and those purchasing property for personal use would be deterred by overshadowing from next door, leading to a decrease in value.

And re: the 207, PTV plan to increase service levels to SmartBus standards by 2021 (every 10 minutes)

While I enjoy reading UrbanMelbourne, agree with the concept of building mid-rise in middle suburbs and hate the ever-expanding growth boundary, you do have to consider why people and councils oppose the new zones. I live in Boroondara, one of the most hard-line councils, adjacent to a property on Doncaster Road which was one of the few proposed for RGZ. If a 4-5 storey apartment building was to go up next to our house, it would most surely mean a loss in land value if we were to sell in future.

The arguments of NIMBYs (although I dislike them) isn't only an emotional one; it's economic. I believe that RGZ should be applied more generously in Boroondara, despite the Council recently voting against ANY zoning changes due to attendance of hundreds of angry residents at their recent meeting. But the developers should have to compensate adjacent land-owners who will lose money as a result of their development, seeing as they'll be earning a windfall. Just like people are compensated when a freeway is built next to their house, so should they when a 14 metre concrete wall is constructed next door. This isn't Communist China.