Have your say: Maroondah Neighbourhood Character Study Review report

Council has undertaken a municipal-wide review of the City’s neighbourhood character controls and is now keen to hear from the community.

The Maroondah Neighbourhood Study Review 2018/19 was undertaken by an independent consultant, with the findings and recommendations now available in the Draft Neighbourhood Character Study Review Implementation Report.

The community is invited to comment on the draft report, which is on public exhibition from Monday 13 May to Friday 7 June 2019.

Maroondah Mayor, Councillor Rob Steane said the review sought to identify key elements of neighbourhood areas across Maroondah; the preferred future character for each precinct; and the means by which to protect and enhance this character.

“Maroondah’s previous Neighbourhood Character Study was developed in 2004 and obviously much has changed since then, including shifting demographics, changes in planning policy and development trends,” Cr Steane said.

“This review responds to recent Victorian Government policy changes to planning provisions, current development pressures and changes to the character of the residential areas over recent years,” he said.

As part of the review, Council hosted a number of listening posts, including a workshop with key stakeholders and 6 consultation sessions. to obtain feedback on community views about valued elements of their neighbourhood, as well as things they would like to see changed.

Input from the community raised the need to retain the green and leafy nature of the area, particularly with increasing housing density. The protection of vegetation was identified as important to the community and is also identified in the study as being the significant contribution to the character of our neighbourhoods.

“Maroondah has a very diverse tree canopy that ranges in height across the municipality. The same can be said for building controls in Maroondah, which vary due to many factors depending on the zoning of the area,” Cr Steane said.

Key recommendations and findings in the report are:

Maintaining the balance between built form and vegetation in all residential areas, except for precincts targeted for growth. Changes to the Maroondah Planning Scheme (11 new schedules to the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and 2 new schedules to the General Residential Zones) Maintaining residential architecture and composition of streetscapes (i.e. front setbacks, fencing treatment) Rezoning an area of General Residential Zone to Neighbourhood Residential Zone Strengthening the controls within the existing Neighbourhood Character Overlays

“The recommendations in the report note that the character of Maroondah is intrinsically linked to its natural landscape and vegetation cover. These elements are cherished by the local community, provide aesthetic and health benefits, and unify the otherwise diverse residential neighbourhoods,” Cr Steane said.

“Whilst we are yet to finalise the review, it is likely that Council will continue to place significant emphasis on the protection of canopy trees and the character of our ridgelines as this is something that has come through very strongly during our community consultation activities,” he said.

“I now encourage all residents, particularly those who have contributed their thoughts and suggestions during the initial consultation phase, to view and provide feedback on the draft document before it comes back to Council for final endorsement.”

To provide feedback on the Draft Neighbourhood Character Study Review Implementation Report, visit our Your Say Maroondah page. Draft copies will also be available to view at Council service centres and libraries.