Planning changes in the Residential Character Study Area

The Town of Victoria Park would like to know your thoughts about proposed changes to the planning framework that applies to properties within the Town’s Residential Character Study Area - in the area between Berwick Street and the railway line.

As a result of changes to State Government planning legislation in 2015, the Town is concerned that the character and standard of development in the Town’s Residential Character Study Area may be eroded.

At the 15 September 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting, Victoria Park Council resolved to propose changes to the planning framework that applies to the Residential Character Study Area, including initiating Town Planning Scheme Amendment 88 (Amendment 88), a new draft Local Planning Policy ‘Character Retention Guidelines’, and amendments to Local Planning Policy 32 ‘Exemptions from Development Approval’ (LPP32).

Background

The proposed planning amendments will reintroduce some provisions for the Town’s Residential Character Study Area (RSCA) similar to those that applied prior to October 2015.

The provisions for the RSCA were first implemented by the Town in 2003 and identified that ‘original dwellings’ in the area (generally those constructed prior to 1945) were worthy of retention. Prior to 2015, all development relating to a single house or grouped dwelling, including demolition of a single house, required development approval from the Town.

In October 2015, the State Government introduced legislation which removed the need to obtain development approval to demolish single houses and/or for new development works, where the works are compliant with the deemed-to-comply requirements of State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes and relevant local planning policies.

As a result, the level of protection for original dwellings and maintenance of residential character has been significantly reduced. Since 2015, some original dwellings have been demolished which may have otherwise been retained.

We’ve heard from our community that residential and streetscape character is an important part of Victoria Park, and many members of our community believe that neighbourhood character should be preserved and enhanced. Further details about the proposed amendments are as follows.

Amendment 88

Amendment No. 88 proposes to amend the Town of Victoria Park Town Planning Scheme No. 1 by:

• Designating the Residential Character Study Area as a Special Control Area;
• Modifying Precinct Plans P5, P6, P10 and P12 to identify the location of the Special Control Area; and
• Including provisions applying to the Special Control Area, including the need for:
  1. Development approval to demolish a single house constructed prior to 1946;
  2. Development approval for building works visible from the street inclusive of a single house, additions to a single house, and other associated structures; and
  3. Development to comply with the provisions of a Local Planning Policy adopted for the Residential Character Special Control Area.

To view Amendment 88 in full, click here.

New Local Planning Policy - Character Retention Guidelines

The purpose of the draft new policy is to provide design and development standards that will apply to land within the proposed Residential Character Special Control Area. Notable elements of the draft policy include:

• The policy is proposed to apply to development that is ‘visible from the street’. Development that is not visible from the street will not be subject to the policy and therefore can be more contemporary in appearance.
• The policy is proposed to replace in part the Town’s existing Local Planning Policy 25 ‘Streetscape’.
• The policy seeks to retain existing residential character, whilst providing flexibility to incorporate contemporary design in appropriate circumstances.
• The policy contains a performance-based approach to assessments rather than prescriptive requirements.

To view the draft new policy, click here.

Amended Local Planning Policy 32 (LPP32) – Exemptions from Development Approval

The Town proposes to amend LPP32 to ensure consistency with proposed Amendment 88 and provide clarity on the types of works that may be exempt from development approval within the Residential Character Special Control Area.

The current Local Planning Policy 32 is available here and the draft amended policy is available here.

Have your say

Comments on the proposed amendments can be submitted until 18 January 2022 in a number of ways:

• Online, using our submission form below
• By mail to Locked Bag 437, Victoria Park WA 6979
• By email to admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au
• In person at the Town's Administration Centre, 99 Shepperton Road Victoria Park (during opening hours)

Comments by mail, email or in person on the proposed Scheme Amendment 88 must be submitted using the WA Planning Commission Form 3A available for download here.

Community Information Session

To help explain the proposals and provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions, we will be holding two information sessions in November:

Community Information Session 1

• Saturday 20 November, 10-11.30am
• Town of Victoria Park Administration Centre, 99 Shepperton Road
• If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.

Community Information Session 2

• Thursday 25 November, 6-7.30pm
• Town of Victoria Park Administration Centre, 99 Shepperton Road
• If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.

Following closure of the consultation period, all submissions received will be considered by the Town’s Urban Planning Unit before a report is presented to Council. Everyone who provides feedback will receive notice inviting them to attend the meeting.

For more information, please contact the Town on 9311 8111 or email admin@vicpark.wa.gov.au