MBRC Planning Scheme - Multiple dwelling

A multiple dwelling means a residential use of premises involving three or more dwellings, whether attached or detached, for separate households.

Multiple dwellings are an important form of housing. A Multiple dwelling development supports housing diversity and choice to meet the needs of residents.

However, it is important for all forms of housing to be of a scale, density and design that is consistent with the planned character and reasonable amenity of a zone and its respective precinct.

Where is a Multiple dwelling supported in the city?

Multiple dwellings are not a housing form that is appropriate in all precincts of the General residential zone, and in a number of other zones in the planning scheme. For example, a Multiple dwelling is anticipated to occur in the General residential zone - Urban neighbourhood precinct to encourage the efficient use of land and an overall increase in residential density around centres and public transport.

However, a Multiple dwelling is generally not suitable in the General residential zone - Coastal communities precinct as the built form and residential density associated with this form of development is too high.

Do I need Council approval for a Multiple dwelling?

Potentially yes. While recognised as a legitimate form of housing, the characteristics of this housing form is not appropriate in all zones and precincts. Refer to Part 5 of the planning scheme to determine the category of development and assessment (type of application needed, if any) for a Multiple dwelling in your zone and precinct.

Where can I build a Multiple dwelling without Council approval?

Multiple dwellings may be developed in the following zones and precincts without the need for Council approval subject to compliance with the requirements for accepted development, including thresholds for the number of units, lot area and frontage, and building height:

• General residential zone - Next generation neighbourhood precinct;
• General residential zone - Urban neighbourhood precinct;
• Emerging community zone - Transition precinct (developed lot);
• Community Facilities zone - Abbey precinct (if located in the Residential Area on Map 1 - Abbey use areas); and
• Rural zone - only in accordance with specific provisions in the Cedarton Foresters Cooperative site and Mt Nebo plant nursery precinct.

Part 5 of the planning scheme details the categories of development and assessment (type of application, if any) and the assessment benchmarks (requirements) for the zones, precincts and local plans.

Any proposed Multiple dwelling will need to comply with the requirements contained in the relevant assessment benchmarks listed above. If the proposal does not comply with the relevant assessment benchmarks, a development application must be lodged with Council for approval. The type of application required is referred to as Assessable - ‘Limited Code assessment’.

Where will I require development approval?

A Multiple dwelling proposed outside the zones and precincts and exceeding the thresholds listed above will require a development application be lodge with Council for approval.

A proposed Multiple dwelling located in an area of the site identified on the Coastal hazard or Flood hazard overlay maps may also trigger the need for a development application.

The level of assessment (type of application) and the assessment criteria varies depending on the zone and precinct of the site. This information can be found in Part 5 Tables of assessment.

How many dwellings can I build on my property?

The number of potential dwellings depends on the proposal achieving compliance with a range of requirements, including, but not limited to:

• site density;
• site cover;
• building height; and
• setbacks.

These requirements are outlined in the relevant Zone code (Part 6) or Local Plan code (Part 7).

The MBRC Planning Scheme does not use the gross floor area or the number of bedrooms of a development to regulate the overall number of dwellings supported on a site.

The planning scheme is ‘form based’, meaning emphasis is placed on the density of dwellings on the site and the design, scale, character and function of the building.

Refer to Planning scheme policy - Residential design(PDF, 12MB) for additional information and guidance about complying with the planning scheme requirements.

Density

Site density requirements are included in the relevant Zone code or Local plan code and vary depending on the zone or precinct, and in some circumstances proximity to certain centres and public transport.

Depending on the zone or precinct, the planning scheme may specify a range of minimum and maximum site density requirements. For example, in the General residential zone - Next generation neighbourhood a minimum and a maximum site density range is specified. In other zones or precincts only a minimum density is specified. For example, the Urban neighbourhood precinct.

Density requirements in Zone codes and Local plan codes are expressed for a site, not for the area, block or neighbourhood (net residential density).

Site cover

Site cover is calculated based on building height and lot size, and is not to exceed a specified percentage (relevant to the site’s zone or local plan precinct).

Building height

Overlay map - Building heights identifies the maximum and in some cases the minimum height of buildings and structures on a site. The relevant Zone code or Local plan code may include alternative heights for carports and garages.

Setbacks

Building setback requirements are dependent on the height of the proposed building, and are outlined in tables at the end of the relevant Zone codes and Local plan codes.

Other requirements

Multiple dwellings in most instances must also comply with the Residential uses code (section 9.3.2), which includes more detailed design requirements about:

• private open space;
• car parking, access and driveways;
• landscaping;
• screening (fencing and walls);
• building appearance;
• privacy;
• causal surveillance; and
• waste.

Refer to the Residential uses code and Planning scheme policy - Residential design(PDF, 12MB) for further information about these requirements and guidance about designing a Multiple dwelling proposal that achieves the required outcomes.

Car parking

Car parking requirement for a Multiple dwelling development are different in the MBRC Planning Scheme to the car parking rates outlined in the superseded planning schemes.

Car parking requirements are generally found in the Residential uses code. Where car parking requirements are not included in this code, refer to Schedule 7 Car parking.

The following table provides a summary of MBRC Planning Scheme car parking rates for a proposed Multiple dwelling.

The Car parking requirement for a Multiple dwelling in locations other than those listed in the above table is found in Schedule 7 Car parking, which requires:

• Site location: Other zones, precincts and local plans not listed above
• Minimum number of car spaces: 3 spaces per dwelling

Overlay maps and Multiple dwellings

If the proposed Multiple dwelling is located in an area of the site identified on an overlay map, additional requirements may apply. Overlay maps that may include additional requirements or alter the above requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Coastal hazard (Erosion prone area)
• Coastal hazard (Storm tide inundation)
• Environmental areas
• Extractive resources
• Flood hazard
• Infrastructure buffers
• Overland flow
• Riparian and wetland setbacks

Refer to the assessment criteria in the relevant code, under the ‘Values and constraints criteria’ heading for requirements, and the Flood hazard overlay code and Coastal hazard overlay code in Part 8 (if / when relevant).