The Victorian government has unveiled a new initiative to simplify the construction of single-storey homes on smaller blocks of land. Dubbed the Single Home Code, this state-wide amendment to planning schemes is designed to accelerate the approval process for new builds or small secondary dwellings on lots measuring under 300 square metres.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny highlighted that this legislative change aims to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, enabling homeowners to commence construction more swiftly. Current planning regulations often create significant delays due to varied council procedures and complex documentation requirements, causing frustration for property owners.
Under the revised regulations, new homes will receive approvals without extensive assessments as long as they comply with updated criteria, which include considerations for solar access, tree canopy preservation, and street aesthetics. While neighbours will be informed and allowed to share their views, this process will bypass costly delays and appeals through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The new provisions will apply universally across all residential zones within Victoria, fostering a more efficient approval framework. Kilkenny emphasised the goal of the amendment: to encourage the development of well-designed homes, maximise the utilisation of existing land, and provide quicker decisions to prospective builders.
Currently, the Victorian government is reforming its planning framework, having previously introduced a similar streamlined approach for townhouses and low-rise apartments of three storeys or fewer. The emphasis of this new policy is to save future homeowners significant costs and attract more developers to the market.
Overall, this initiative represents a significant step in making housing development more accessible and efficient, ultimately aiming to address the urgent need for more housing in Victoria.