Residential Development Guidelines
Part 1 - Introduction
Please read the PDF document or the text below.
Residential Development Guidelines - Introduction (47 kB)
The following Guide defines Council's current Design Guidelines for Residential Development.
This Guide has been prepared to assist those with an interest in residential development within the City of Monash clearly identifying Councils current development design guidelines.
Council will consider each residential development proposal having regard for the requirements of the Monash Planning Scheme. Council's objective is to ensure that single dwelling and medium density development within the municipality is in keeping with community expectations throughout the municipality.
Issues such as: apply to all development applications.The requirements of the Planning Scheme will influence the design of residential development proposals.
All parts of this document should be read to understand Council's current development design guidelines.
Monash Planning Scheme
The Monash Planning Scheme, including ResCode, has been approved in accordance with the Victorian Planning Provisions at the direction of the State Government.
The requirements of the Monash Planning Scheme include:- Residential Zones
- Vegetation Protection Overlay controls
- Heritage Overlay controls
- Variations to ResCode Standards
- Investigation Areas
Should you have any questions regarding this Guide, Monash Planning Scheme or about development in Monash, you should contact Council's Town Planning Section.
- Phone: 9518 3555, or
- Visit the Town Planning Section during office hours between 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday at 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley.
Is A Permit Required for Residential Development?
SINGLE DWELLINGS
Approval for construction, extensions or alterations to single dwellings is generally only subject to gaining a building permit.
However, a planning permit is required:- If a property has a site area less than 500 square metres.
- If a property is located within a Heritage Overlay area.
Other specific provisions may apply dependant on the location of the site, the relevant Planning Scheme Zone and any Overlay controls, if applicable. If you are proposing a development, you should make sure you are aware of the entire relevant zone and other provisions that apply to your property.
TWO OR MORE DWELLINGS - Medium Density Housing
Planning Permit approval is required for:- Two or more dwellings on a site, other than dependant person's units.
- High rise apartments.
- Residential buildings such as boarding houses.
- Extensions to any of the above.
These types of applications must be assessed against the requirements of the provisions of the Monash Planning Scheme.
This Guide details Council's preferred Design Guidelines that will achieve the desired development outcome in keeping with community expectations for residential development in the City of Monash.
What Needs To Be Done To Develop In Monash?
STEP 1:
- Read this Guide.
- All parts of this Guide should be read to understand the requirements of the Monash Planning Scheme and Council Policy.
- These Design Guidelines indicate the Council's and community's expectations for quality residential development in Monash.
STEP 2:
Find out:- Title / Easement / Covenant.
- Zone & Overlay.
- Neighbour Character Precinct.
- Development Guideline details relevant to the development site.
Check the Certificate of Title to verify whether any easements or restrictions encumber the land. (Available at Land Titles Office.)
Check the Monash Planning Scheme Maps to verify whether the land is in a Residential or other zone and whether the land is in an Overlay Area. (Available at Council for inspection.)
Check the Monash Neighbourhood Character Study to determine the relevant Character Precinct. (Available at Council for inspection.)
If you are proposing a development, you should make sure you are aware of the entire relevant zone and other provisions that apply to your property.
Separate Development Guidelines are available from Council for:- Application Checklist for Residential Development (204 kb)
- Site Description Plan Checklist (51 kb)
- Certification of Accuracy of Site Description Plan (17 kb)
- Guide to Neighbourhood Description in Monash (52 kb)
- A Guide to Electricity Supply Meter Boxes in Monash (193 kb)
- Stormwater Management Guideline
- Engineering Standards
- Heritage
- Landscape
STEP 3:
Prepare a preliminary but comprehensive Neighbourhood and Site Description Analysis for the site, including photographs.The development design must respond to any identifiable design opportunities or constraints that affect your site.
A preliminary Neighbourhood and Site Description Analysis must be undertaken before commencement of the design work.
STEP 4:
Prepare a Preliminary Design Concept Plan.This Guide details Council's Policy requirements and provides guidelines for Residential Development in the City of Monash.
Compliance with these guidelines will facilitate the assessment and processing of your application.
STEP 5:
Discuss your concept proposal with Council's Town Planners before lodging an Application for Permit.
Assessment of the concept design proposal by Council's Town Planners will provide invaluable guidance in respect to compliance with Council's Policy requirements and Design Guidelines.
Note:- Council's town planners cannot assess a concept design without an understanding of the site and its context within the neighbourhood.
- The Preliminary Neighbourhood and Site Description Analysis MUST be provided with the Concept Design Plan for assessment.
- Council recommends that applicants discuss their preliminary design with future neighbours of the project. Discussions with neighbours at an early stage of the design process can help to minimise disputes at the application stage.
STEP 6:
Complete the detailed design for the proposal, including a comprehensive Neighbourhood and Site Description Plan and Analysis for the land.
Provision of accurate and detailed documents will enable Council's Town Planners to easily understand your design and how it relates to its location and streetscape.
STEP 7:
Lodge the application including all relevant plans and documents.
Submission of all relevant documents and plans with your application will facilitate processing of your application.
If a request for further information is required, this will delay processing of an application.
Details of all documents and plans to be lodged with an application are listed in
Last updated: 10 March 2011
[ Up: Planning and Building | Forward: Part 2 - Design Guidelines ]
Back to main navigation Back to section navigation
