In February 2025, the gazettal of Amendment VC257 introduced Clause 32.10 Housing Choice and Transport Zone (HCTZ) and Clause 43.06 Built Form Overlay (BFO), both of which support development of increased housing in activity centres and areas well serviced by public transit that can accommodate higher density. The HCTZ establishes boundaries within which development can occur and the BFO establishes design and built form requirements for these locations.
In April, the gazettal of Amendment GC252 brought in changes to planning schemes to implement the HCTZ and BFO in specific municipalities. The amendment applies to the following planning schemes: Bayside, Boroondara, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Hume, Kingston, Maroondah, Monash, Moonee Valley, Stonnington and Whittlesea. Within the designated HCTZs in these municipalities, it is estimated that 60,000 new homes will be accommodated.
To facilitate development the Housing Choice and Transport Zone and supporting policies are designed to provide a streamlined planning applications process which includes the removal of notice and review requirements for a majority of planning applications. The application of policy applies to a traditional planning concept with higher density in the core of an activity centre reducing in height and density as the distance from the core increases. Maximum building heights range from 20,12 and 3 storeys which reflects the diversity in size and function of activity centres. The surrounding catchment is represented by a ten-minute walk within with building heights and densities decrease.
In Amendment GC252 the Built Form Overlay does not apply to Ringwood and Frankston activity centres, as existing schedules/planning controls will continue to apply. Within some centres land will be rezoned to Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z) and Residential Growth Zone (RGZ) to facilitate development under the amendment.
CS Town Planning will continue to monitor amendments to planning policy and advice clients accordingly.
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