Episode 24 - Frank Perry: Understand Council Zones

Council zones are confusing. If you're looking to build, extend, subdivide or redevelop, there's a lot you need to know about deciphering where and what you can build to change the streetscape. Today we have Frank Perry from townplanning.com.au to help us get it right.

Frank Perry is a senior member of the Planning Profession in Victoria, and has wide experience in both the private and public sectors, having worked in senior levels in State and Local Government. The breadth of his experience encompasses medium density housing assignments to high rise apartment developments, shopping centres and large estate planning and subdivisions. Frank Perry is also experienced in securing changes to planning controls to enable new development in areas where development was previously prohibited. Welcome Frank!

1. How does the Victorian government plan how to zone the suburbs?

2.Can you explain to us the planning system and how it affects every property in the State?

3. What's the different between a zone and an overlay?

a) can you tell us the different types of zones?

b) and overlays?

c) are covenants the same as overlays?

4. Where can we find out what zone our property or the property we are looking to buy actually is in?

5. Peter from Hoppers Crossing is wanting to buy property for his first development. He wants to know what are the best residential zones for him to look for?

6. Conversely, if a home buyer is looking to make sure they don't want to get lost in a sea of over-development, what zones should we be looking for?

7. What happens if our property is zoned 'green wedge', which usually means a substantial amount of land... what can we do with it?

8. Explain to us how the decisions are made when applying for a planning approval?

9. What rights do developers have to appeal against the council decisions?

10. Can municipal councils and shires change the zones, or is it a State Government authority?

11. How have you been able to change planning controls to enable new development?

 

Frank Perry is from townplanning.com.au and provides an extensive website that enables anyone to find out all facets of a property, from zones, ownership, renovations and planning. Email Frank at frankp@townplanning.com.au for more information about this exciting portal. Otherwise, he has a consulting business town-planning.com.au if you would like Frank to help you with your planning needs.