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Multi Dwelling Process
Things to Consider
Talk to a Planning Officer
Perparing a Site Analysis & Design Response
Use a Competent Design Professional
Talk to Your Neighbours
Making the Planning Application
What Next?
There are particular planning requirements for multi-dwellings. A Planning Permit is required for:
- Any multi-unit development, being two or more dwellings on a site, or constructing a second dwelling on a lot where there is an existing house
- Extensions to an existing dwelling or building a new dwelling on a lot <300m2.
If you are unsure whether a planning permit is required for your property or proposal, call Statutory Planning for advice.
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If you are planning a unit development or extension to an existing dwelling, there are a range of things you need to consider in terms of planning controls as well as the context and influences of the site. There may also be planning controls, such as heritage controls, or minimum guidelines relating to waste collection. Basically, anything that may affect your site or adjacent sites needs to be taken into consideration.
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When you and your designer have had a look at the controls and the site, it is important to meet with the council's planning officer to clarify any matters, discuss your ideas for the proposal, and get feedback about how to prepare the plans for your application. A site description plan must be provided at this discussion.
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A neighbourhood and site description and design response must be prepared. Clause 55 provides information on what is required. The council can refuse to accept your application if the information provided is not of an appropriate standard.
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The relevant planning controls must all be considered in preparing your plans. The design process and the time it takes will depend on the design professional you choose and your own preferences.
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Talk to your neighbours before lodging your application with the council to let them know what you are planning and to iron out potential problems.
*The controls associated to the above are contained under Clause 55 of the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme (or any other Planning Scheme). Planning schemes can be accessed through the website of the Department of Planning and Community Development.
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When you make the planning application, you will need to include:
- An existing conditions plan - this shows the location of buildings and features on the site
- Floor plans and elevations of the proposal. These should be carefully dimensioned including open space areas and car parking spaces. Both floor plans and elevations should clearly show ground levels and floor levels
- A summary of floor areas of individual buildings, open spaces, site coverage, hard surface areas etc
- A neighbourhood and site description, and a design response for residential development
- Three sets of plans, including one coloured set
- A copy of title, a completed application form and relevant fee
- A 'Covenant Declaration' declaring that there are no covenants on the Title or the Subdivision affecting the proposed development
A written summary of the proposal, and how it complies with the planning controls and the council's policies is also useful, particularly for larger development proposals.
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Once you have submitted your application to the council, the proposal will move through the statutory planning process. For details on how this process works go to 'Application Process'. The most useful tip for dealing with this stage of the process is to listen to the planning officer and to the neighbours, and provide any information that may be helpful to them.
Be prepared to compromise as often the design that you think is best for you, may not be best for all parties involved. With every application, the council endeavours to achieve a fair and equitable outcome for all parties.
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Contact Council
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