The City of Casey is positioned to best meet current and future housing needs of its diverse and growing community after adopting much anticipated changes to the Casey Planning Scheme.
At its meeting on 19 March 2019, Council adopted Amendment C198 to the Casey Planning Scheme after an extensive period of community consultation, an independent review by Planning Panels Victoria. The application now awaits approval from the Minister for Planning.
"This amendment responds directly to recommendations from Council's Housing Strategy about the future of residential development in Casey's established suburbs," City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon said.
"It's adoption now allows us to implement the Housing Strategy and ensure that the right housing is available in the right locations for our residents."
There are three key components of Amendment C198:
- Encourage higher density residential development close to activity centres and public transport
- Recommend where 2,000 m2 (half acre) lot subdivision can be created in the Low Density Residential Zone
- Protect the character of the "Hoddle grid" to the north-east of Berwick Village
"This will enable Council to better support the changing needs of our community, including providing more diverse housing options in well located areas which will encourage a move to more sustainable transport options," said Cr Stapledon.
"We know, through the Housing Strategy that there is a growing need for people to access a variety of housing types including townhouses, units and apartments. This type of accommodation should be in locations with convenient access to shops, services, transport and open space where it is easy for residents to walk or cycle.
"These changes provide certainty about the type of residential development expected across Casey's existing suburbs, ensuring housing growth is directed to areas with easy access to jobs, transport and social infrastructure.
"Through the Housing Strategy, residential growth will now be limited in areas located further from services and which are subject to natural hazards such as bushfires or flooding, or to preserve significant existing neighbourhood character.
"This ensures Council can keep our community safer and better connected while retaining the amenity of our beautiful city.
"Balancing the needs of our city's future with the desires and practicalities of today is a challenging task, but Council is confident that this significant change will provide Casey with the framework it needs to continue on its vision to create Australia's most liveable city."
