The State Government is reforming the planning zones that apply to residential properties in Victoria. We are writing to you as a submitter to the Reformed Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee process undertaken for Ballarat, to provide an update on the status of the implementation process.

On 1 July 2014 the Minister for Planning gazetted an Amendment VC116 which replaced the existing Residential 1 Zone with the General Residential Zone in 24 planning schemes across the state, including the Ballarat Planning Scheme. This default change is an interim measure until the Minister considers the recommendations of the Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee, which was appointed to hear public submissions on the rollout in Ballarat.

This change means that all properties previously zoned Residential 1 Zone in the municipality are now zoned General Residential Zone and new planning controls now apply.

City of Ballarat has proposed that the General Residential Zone be applied to 94% of properties currently zoned Residential 1 Zone, the Neighbourhood Residential Zone apply to 5% of residential properties, particularly around Buninyong and in fringe areas in the Canadian Valley, and the Residential Growth Zone apply to 1% of properties, mainly around activity centres. A decision on the implementation of the two other zones has not yet been made by Minister, but is expected shortly following consideration of the committee’s report. Once a decision is made on these remaining two zones, the implementation of the reformed residential zones in Ballarat will be complete.

What does this interim change mean for development in my neighbourhood?

Given that the types of development that are permitted under the Residential 1 Zone and General Residential Zone are quite similar, at this stage there will be little change to the development that can occur in your neighbourhood.

You will be further advised when a final decision is made on the roll-out of remaining two residential zones in Ballarat.

Further information

The Minister for Planning has summarised the staged implementation in a media release:

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/10198-residential-zone-reform-nears-conclusion.html.

Further information is also available on the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure website: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/theplanningsystem/improving-the-system/new-zones-for-victoria/new-and-reformed-residential-zones.

If you have any questions regarding the proposed changes to the residential zones, please contact James Guy, Senior Strategic Planner, City of Ballarat on 5320 5857 or jamesguy@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

Regards

James Guy | Senior Strategic Planner

City of Ballarat | PO Box 655, Ballarat, Victoria, 335

P: 03 5320 5857 | http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au