Character in growth areas consultation closes soon

We're defining preferred future character objectives in General Residential Zones (GRZs) to better protect and respect local character in areas that will experience moderate growth.

Character is highly valued by our community. This project seeks to better protect the character of an area while helping to meet Bayside’s need for growth. The boundaries of General Residential Zones are not changing.

This first stage of community consultation will close on 16 January 2022.

Do you live in a General Residential Zone?

General Residential Zones are designed to facilitate moderate growth because they’re typically well connected to shops, services, jobs and transport. However, this growth can lead to an obvious contrast in character between older homes and more recent additions to a neighbourhood.

Use the interactive map on our Have Your Say website to see if your property is in a General Residential Zone.

Please note that the GRZ in Highett is not included in this consultation because there is currently a Planning Scheme Amendment underway to implement the Highett Structure Plan, 2018. This introduces new residential zone schedules which include future character statements.

What about character in other zones?

The majority of Bayside (83%) is within a Neighbourhood Residential Zone – one of the highest proportions of any Victorian municipality. This zone is designed for minimal growth with a mandatory two-storey height limit. Community consultation on Neighbourhood Residential Zone character is expected to occur in 2022. If you live within an NRZ, you’ll be notified when consultation begins. 

Share your view of a growing area

We're seeking feedback from residents on the character aspects they feel are most representative of a GRZ area, and would like to see in future developments. These aspects can include roof types, garden design and position, fencing, landscaping, and the space between buildings and the street.

Community feedback will be used to set preferred future character objectives which would sit under applicable schedules in the Bayside Planning Scheme to guide the assessment of development proposals that require planning approval. 

Have your say on character in growth areas before 16 January 2022