Site coverage in Melbourne

Hi Folks,

Newbie question here.

In the process of putting together the first concept designs for a multi-unit townhouse development site in Melbourne and need some clarification on 'site coverage'.

I've seen the 60% site coverage figure mentioned a few times in council documents, but have also seen many approved developments closer to 80-90% site coverage.

Is the 60% figure purely a 'guideline' that isn't set in stone?

 

60% is common, the most common in fact. However, don't just rely ok that percentage. Do a search here for more info on each property:

Property Reports - Search by Address

 

Thanks Oscar.

And in your experience, with the right design - council will let you 'overstep' the 60% mark e.g. 70-80%

Just trying to wrap my head around whether it's a 'guideline' or a 'rule that cannot be broken'.

 

Probably neither. Each zoning will have a site coverage allowance. The higher the zoning the more the coverage is allowed.
The developments you saw at 70-80% may have had a higher zoning.
It would be unusual for an area that had an allowance of 60% to allow 70-80 unless they have a policy which allows for discretion - ie affordable housing, sustainability, mixed use, retaining heritage building etc.
Have you talked to your designer/town planner about their thoughts on sticking to 60% or whether it's worthwhile trying to justify designing for more.
The more you need to justify, the less you comply; the more hassle you will get in council.
Asking for up to 65% may be a lot more successful than asking for 70%.

 

Thanks Westminster - that helps a lot.

Just got off the town planner and he felt that we could easily push for 70-80% on this particular site due to the neighbourhood character.

Learn something new everyday

 

The Schedule to the Zone will specify the site coverage- usually 60% with 50% and 40% becoming common in outer ring suburbs of Melbourne. A variation in the specified site coverage may occur in Mixed use and higher density areas and if the property has several precedence on the street where the coverage is more than specified. The Council planning officer will need some serious convincing for a variation through Good Design Response ( what duh!). Ive sen it happening and it was due to the location of the site- eg on the fringe of a Activity Zone or veery close to a rail station etc
If you get a refusal remember most of the VCAT members are ex planning officers from Councils. Be safe and stick to what is specified in the Schedule to the Zone-- you can then ask for better dispensations.