New apartments will be built with light, storage, ventilation and enough room to fit beds and fridges as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s push to improve planning standards.
The Better Apartments Design Standards, in place from March 2017, mean the growing number of people living in apartments will have access to natural light, airflow and storage.
Until now, Victoria had limited design guidance for apartments compared to other Australian jurisdictions.
Rather than include blanket apartment sizes, Victoria’s new standards allow for flexibility and innovation while making sure spaces are liveable.
The standards address mobility needs and encourage sustainability by encouraging recycling, energy and water efficiency and minimising stormwater run-off.
Through building setbacks, landscaping and waste management rules, new apartments will enhance surrounding neighbourhoods.
The standards will be complemented by new design guidelines, an apartment buyers and renters guide and an education and training program for planning and building design practitioners.
A monitoring and review program will measure the effectiveness of the standards to make sure the right outcomes are achieved.
The Labor Government kicked off the apartment planning overhaul in 2015 with a survey, drawing more than 2000 submissions, which showed people want light, airflow and storage in their apartments.
Draft standards were prepared with the help of the community, local government and development industry, generating more than 250 submissions during consultation.
The government has since worked through a range of options to create clear, practical standards.
This year, the Labor Government has delivered central city and apartment controls to improve built form standards, filling a vacuum in planning which the previous Liberal government chose to ignore.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“Victoria needs liveable, affordable housing options and we’re making sure new homes are well-designed and accommodate different household types.”
“These standards bring us up to speed with other states, they preserve affordability and will make sure bedrooms are big enough to fit a bed.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020