On 1 July, the State Government is set to complete the most significant changes to Victorian planning controls in more than a decade. The last of the significant changes planned for the state’s zones will see the deletion of the Residential 1, 2 and 3 Zones and their replacement with the new General Residential, Residential Growth and Neighbourhood Residential Zones across Victoria.

These changes will have significant impacts on where new building projects can proceed and the specifications of projects too.

That’s why Master Builders is holding a Policy Seminar to help you know how these zones may impact you and provide an opportunity for you to have your questions answered.

We will be joined by Ashley Thompson, Director of Clause 1 Planning, who will help you fully understand the implications of these new residential zones.

The evening will include an opportunity to ask specific questions and provide practical insight into:

  • How the new residential zones differ from the existing residential zones;
  • The type of development that is permitted and prohibited under the new zones;
  • The limited transitional provisions that affect existing applications;
  • What individual councils are proposing; and,
  • What the likely implications of the new residential zones will be on your business.

Over the past nine months, councils have been busily completing (or updating) their neighbourhood character studies and revising their local housing policies in an attempt to provide the strategic justification required for allocating the new zones to their residential land.

So far only three regional and two metropolitan Councils have implemented the new suite of zones. The remaining more than 70 councils are in various states of preparedness for the 1 July deadline.

Those councils that are not ready to implement the new suite of zones by 1 July will see all of their land (previously zoned Residential 1, 2 and 3) changed to the General Residential Zone on that date.

According to the Department of Planning Transport and Local Infrastructure’s website, only about half of the state’s councils have been allocated a Planning Scheme Amendment number relating to the new zone. This indicates that, although a significant change is expected on 1 July, substantially more changes are anticipated to continue for the months following as councils continue to seek their preferred implementation of the new zones.

Make sure you are best placed to know how these zones changes could impact you and your projects, come along to the Master Builders Policy Seminar on 26 June.

Practitioners will leave this event with a working understanding of the new residential zoning framework. For more information or to book, click here or call Master Builders on (03) 9411 4555.

Date: Thursday, 26 June
Time: 5.30 to 6.30pm.
Venue: Training Room 2, Master Builders, 332 Albert Street, East Melbourne.
Cost: $30 for members. $100 for non-members.