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There is always something happening at ratio: stay up to date with our project and team news here.
The Minister for Planning Richard Wynne announced yesterday new planning rules to improve the design of apartments. A ‘preview’ of the Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 2021 proposes changes to the existing Better Apartment Design Standards (commonly known as BADS), covering design matters of green space, external materials, wind impacts, integration with the street and private open space.
The Government recognises that the coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the importance for all homes to have access to air, nature, sunlight and personal space. This is particularly relevant for apartments where the updated design standards will ensure that:
The ongoing monitoring of the Apartment Standards has also resulted in updates to the design of balconies to provide greater flexibility to respond firstly to orientation and secondly to those located on tall buildings which can be underutilised.
Some key changes to note are as follows:
The Apartment Design Guidelines for Victoria 2021 outlines all the proposed changes to objectives, standards and decision guidelines, and includes guidance on how to interpret the standards. A draft Wind Practice Note PPN93 has also been released. For more information, please refer to the link below:
In terms of timing, these new planning rules will commence later in 2021 but the exact timeframe of when they are implemented in planning schemes is unknown. It is understood that the government wants to allow industry time to become familiar with the new rules. Importantly, these new rules will not apply to planning application lodged before they come into operation.
We commend the Victorian Government’s commitment to improve the design of apartments especially as more Victorians live in them. We’re digesting the impact of these new rules, recognising that there are benefits associated with enhancing their physical appearance and amenity and providing flexibility in the design of private open space. However, we also envisage that some disbenefits will entail, particularly around the cost burden associated with new landscaping and communal open space requirements which will ultimately be borne by the purchasers of these apartments.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Author: Edelene Loke, Associate: Planning
8 Gwynne Street
Cremorne
VIC 3121
1/27-31 Myers Street
Geelong
VIC 3220
Phone: (03) 9429 3111
Fax: (03) 9429 3011
Email: mail@ratio.com.au