Developers will be encouraged to ensure their buildings meet a series of design standards before submitting plans for approval, under a new strategy.
According to a Maribyrnong council report, the Good Design Standard will “improve the quality of residential development in Maribyrnong” and be used during the planning assessment process to assist applicants with design solutions.
Developers will be required to respond to 10 questions, including whether the proposed site can comfortably accommodate the proposed development, whether they have an understanding of the surrounding neighbourhood character, whether the development gives priority to pedestrian and residential amenity, and whether the design finishes are of good quality, attractive and contribute to the surrounding area.
When planning applicants address these questions in their submission, council officers will provide a “traffic light response” in either red, amber or green, with red signifying the design needs review and amber a need for improvements, while green will indicate the design fully complies with a particular guideline. The objective is to secure up to 10 green lights.
“The Good Design Standard is simple to use and provides clear guidance on where there is room for improvement,” the report states.
“The 10 questions have been trialled by [council] planning officers on past applications.
“The standard has shown that it would improve the quality of the planning outcome and provide better amenity and, therefore, quality of life.”
