Council challenges one-size-fits-all planning reforms

Published on 02 April 2025

Aerial view neighbourhoods

The Victorian Government has introduced major planning reforms that could have significant and lasting impacts on Banyule neighbourhoods.

The changes have been imposed across Victoria with minimal time to consult with councils or communities.

We are particularly concerned about the changes for town house and apartment approvals, which came into effect in March. The changes overhaul parts of ResCode, the planning rule for single or multiple dwelling developments that require a planning permit.

New standards will limit the ability of councils to make decisions on local developments. The standards set out minimum requirements that we may not challenge. These include:

  • street setbacks
  • building height
  • side and rear setbacks
  • walls on boundaries
  • site coverage
  • access
  • tree canopy coverage
  • front fences.

Mayor of Banyule, Cr. Elizabeth Nealy, says that while the reforms aim to streamline the permit process and increase the availability of housing, there is a real risk of Banyule Council being stripped of its ability to apply local knowledge and expertise to housing developments.

"These reforms are likely to seriously impact on our neighbourhood character, residential amenity, infrastructure and tree canopy in Banyule. Council and the wider community should have been more included in consultation before the reforms were introduced. Council acknowledges the need for more and varied housing options, but we know that a one-size approach does not fit all communities. We know Banyule best and are best placed to plan with and for the Banyule community" said Cr. Nealy.

We are advocating to the Victorian Government for improvements to the planning reforms, and we will be updating our planning web pages in the coming weeks/months to reflect the planning reforms.

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