BREAKING NEWS: Unlimited dwellings, minimum garden space in residential zones (Melbourne)

Developing property in Melbourne?

The Victorian government has just announced:

"There will no longer be a cap on how many dwellings can be built on a block, but new requirements mean developments must have a mandatory percentage of garden space...

Under new rules, blocks between 400-500 square metres require a 25 per cent minimum garden area, blocks between 501-600 metres need 30 per cent, and blocks larger than 650 square metres must have a 35 per cent garden area."

Will be interesting to see what the definition of "garden area" is. Will it include rooftop gardens...?

Here's the official media release.

 

Interesting. Think this might put houses too close together. No-one likes nosey neighbours.

 

Um? Does that mean developer can just build a skyscraper as long as there's 25-35% garden out of the land?

 

I don't have specific knowledge of Melbourne planning rules, however I would expect a suburban area to have a maximum building height overlay that provides a level of control on building heights.

 

do vertical gardens count?

 

Does this make obsolete the normal zoning eg RGZ1 GRZ1 GRZ2
Very interesting things introduced by Andrews! Definitely trying to stimulate property!

 

So every lot now has development potential?

 

I like the way you think @KateAshmor ... before I got deep into your post I too was pondering "I wonder how cheeky one could be with the definition of a "garden". One presumes they mean on the horizontal plane and that vertical gardens are not deemed to be part of the minimum requirement....

 

Can try the like of this
PHOTOS: Japan's ACROS Building is a Mountainous Green-Roofed Pyramid Planted With Trees

Pretty much forest on the building. Visited this last week and is great

 

I believe the zones would still apply but each would require garden spaces x amount of size as diff setbacks, heights restrictions, car spaces would still limit logically how many can be put on the block. If the zones really dun apply ppl will be getting empty blocks in home and estate and carving up to sell multiple units

The biggest beneficiary would be the neighbourhood zones which had capped dwelling sizes in some suburbs

 

Wow. @Tufan Chakir what are your thoughts on this??

Definition of garden would be helpful. Could permable surfacing count towards garden? If so, would 'permable paving'/'resin based paving' driveways count towards the garden %?

 

Good stuff Kate, thats two BREAKING NEWS you've done in 7 days!

 

Very interesting but the main question is plot ratio - floorspace to land size.

 

very interesting.noted also that it only talks about 400m plus blocks. so all of those blocks under 400m (like the new estates) which only have 2 metre backyards are not protected.

then having no limit, i wander if that would mean that blocks which are 1 acre in Melbourne Suburbs (e,g lysterfield, hallam, narre warren north, etc.) could all of a sudden turn into a suburb which has 50 dwellings on what used to be 1 only.

 

Good time to be a granny flat/secondary dwelling builder in Melbourne.

 

Very interesting. Thanks for the share!

 

Exactly. I'd love to do that with mine. Currently leaving no stone unturned while I find a way to make some money of out this

 

Different rules for granny flats in Melbourne compared to other states. You have to remove them once the dependent person leaves.

I hope this allows them in the same way as NSW where the presence of an actual dependent person isn't required but I would be surprised...

 

Simply owning dirt there is making money!

But yes secondary swelling would definitely supercharge cashflow. Particularly if your block has enough sqm to put a small duplex pair out back.

 

Thoughts on this....

You currently have a block over 650sq with a house on it. Those that choose to knock down and rebuild must adhere to the new rules of 35% open garden space. Prior, council has been approving 3 dwellings on similar sized blocks in that area.
Maybe with the new rules 35% open garden space means you can no longer fit 3 dwellings onto the same block.