Neighbourhood character
Neighbourhood character is the way buildings, vegetation and the topography relate to each other to produce a visual sense of place. It’s what makes one place different from another. Some characteristics are more important than others in creating this distinctive character.
Planning schemes require that new residential development must respect the existing neighbourhood character or contribute to the preferred neighbourhood character of an area.
Find your neighbourhood character
Current planning scheme requirements for neighbourhood character
Our Residential Neighbourhood Character Policy includes residential design guidelines in Clause 22.02 of the Banyule Planning Scheme.
These locally prepared guidelines are used by developers to prepare their residential development proposals and by Council to consider received proposals. These guidelines are based on the Neighbourhood Character Strategy (2012)(PDF, 15MB).
The Neighbourhood Character Strategy lists 5 types of character areas:
- garden suburban
- garden court
- bush garden
- semi bush
- bush woodland.
Each character area contains a number of precincts, which are explained in Residential Neighbourhood Character Policy in the Banyule Planning Scheme.
Any application is encouraged to include a written response to this policy. They complement the provisions of clauses 54, 55 and 56 of the Banyule Planning Scheme. These provisions are commonly referred to as 'ResCode'.
Strategy review
The Neighbourhood Character Strategy is progressing through a multi-stage review. As part of the review, the Neighbourhood Character Strategy 2024(PDF, 42MB) was adopted by Council in August. The next stage of the review is to incorporate the new strategy in the Banyule Planning Scheme.
When changes to the planning scheme are made, we will update this page.
Contact us
Discuss the relevant Banyule Planning Scheme provisions with a Council Planning Officer, before you purchase land, start a design or lodge a planning application on 9490 4222.