Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Wednesday, 21 March, 2018. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Council Implements Urban Design Guidelines

This new planning policy translates the urban design framework and guidance that is included in the Addendum to the Urban Design Framework – Shepparton North and South Business Areas, July 2017 (adopted by Council last year) into appropriate planning controls for Shepparton North and Kialla. In particular, the new controls provide clear and robust guidelines for developers regarding building design, height and setbacks, fences, parking and access, landscaping and advertising signage.

Amendment C196 to the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme seeks to include the adopted Addendum to the Urban Design Framework – Shepparton North and South Business Areas, July 2017 in the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme as a reference document and implement the findings and recommendations through a new Design and Development Overlay in Shepparton north, and a revised Design and Development Overlay in Kialla.

Amendment C196 was exhibited from 3 August 2017 to 4 September 2017. Council received 11 submissions in total. Six of these submissions objected or requested changes to the Amendment and could not be resolved. As such, all submissions were referred to an Independent Planning Panel appointed by the Minister for Planning for consideration.

A Panel Hearing was held early this year in Shepparton and a report from the Independent Planning Panel was received last month. The Independent Planning Panel recommended that the planning controls be adopted by Council with some changes as discussed at the Panel Hearing.

At the March Ordinary Council Meeting, Council considered the report from the Independent Planning Panel and resolved to adopt the recommendations in the report, adopt Amendment C196 with the changes recommended by the Independent Planning Panel and submit it to the Minister for Planning for final approval.