There’s an article in today’s Age which should be compulsory reading for all communities impacted by the State Government’s ridiculous and destructive planning decisions. (See: https://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2026/activity-centre-brighton/index.html) What is depicted in the article has already started in Glen Eira – and not an outraged whimper from our council!!!!

We are not talking about Major Activity Centres, but our quiet residential streets!

An application has recently gone in for 71 Allison Road, Caulfield North. This was originally zoned as NRZ – a MANDATORY maximum height of 2 storeys or 8 metres. The street is overwhelmingly composed of single and double storey dwellings, with a few apartment blocks of two storeys. It is beautifully tree lined, with a few heritage sites, and runs parallel to Glen Huntly Road.

Since the government’s intervention, it is now zoned HCTZ1 –  meaning that on ‘large’ sites it can be a six storey apartment block. The site is roughly 1400 square metres, so qualifies for this height. The application reads as: Construction of a 6 storey apartment building above basement car park containing up to 33 dwellings, construction of a front fence exceeding 1.5m in height, and removal of a canopy tree.

Below are images of the immediate neighbours –

Another recent application is for 3-5 Loranne Street, Bentleigh. Again this was originally zoned NRZ but is now HCTZ2. This means 3 storeys, but on large sites can be 4 storeys. With the combined lots, the area is over 1000 square metres, so qualifies for 4 storeys. The application reads – Construction of a 4 storey apartment building above basement car park and containing up to 28 dwellings and removal of 2 canopy trees.

Again, we depict the surrounding residences –

What we are seeing is the total destruction of our residential streets and please remember that this new legislation means:

  • If the developer should decide to use the VICSMART process, then there is no notification, and no objection rights.
  • Increased site coverage allowed – ie up to 60% when NRZ was originally 50%
  • Reduction in canopy tree replacement
  • No visitor parking – with the potential for 61 units in these two streets alone
  • Council has forecast a reduction in onsite parking requirements
  • No consideration given to ‘neighbourhood character’ in most cases
  • The ability to go directly to the minister and bypass council and residents
  • No regard for heritage

We definitely commiserate with these residents who are now facing the prospect of their single storey homes being overshadowed and inundated with potential dog boxes of 6 and 4 storeys.

We will keep a close eye on what happens with these applications and any others that come in. But wouldn’t it be great if our councillors had the balls to show some real public fight back against such atrocities?!!!!!!!!