Hi all,
I've been doing some research and have started to explore areas of SE Melbourne that are within our build budget (1.5m) for a single-story new build. As a result, we have our eyes on properties that are coming up in the Huntingdale area (near Oakleigh) However upon further inspection it looks like the planning requirements are currently in a state of flux. Although most of Huntingdale is currently zoned as GRZ2 with fairly standard planning requirements as per Vic Planning guidelines, Proposal C125 (see: http://www.monash.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/building-amp-planning/monash-planning-scheme/amendment-c-125/final/c125-zone-schedule-grz3.pdf) looks to change that with quite a few more restrictions beyond the standard type of requirements. For example:
1) Maximum site coverage dropping from 60% to 50%
2) Minimum permeability up from 20% to 30%
3) Garage setback at least 1m behind front setback (which already has 7.5m setback)
My main concern is #1. My wife and I aren't gardening type people and were hoping to build a single storey around 280 sqm internal size. We were hoping to find a block around 520 sqm to build this but this would be in excess of the 50% maximum site coverage. Looks like we'll need to find a block greater than 580-600 sqm instead.
Is there anybody who lives in the Monash City Council area that has more insights into whether or not these new restrictions may come into play soon? Are these restrictions likely to pass within the next 12 months, and if so, should we avoid at the risk of buying a block of land to small for our build?
Also, are these types of restrictions fairly common for GRZ zoning in other city councils?
Also, does anybody have any recommendations for alternative areas in the SE that we might consider for our KDRB plans?
Thanks in advance all!