This page summarises recent Planning Panel reports that consider the inclusion of places under the Heritage Overlay (HO) of Victorian planning schemes and other heritage-related amendments.
Boroondara Planning Scheme Amendment C64
Panel: Catherine Hunichen, Chair and Neville Wale
Amendment C64 to the Boroondara Planning Scheme proposed to apply the Heritage Overlay to an additional 207 places. The amendment enacted the recommendations of the Review of B-graded Buildings in Kew, Camberwell and Hawthorn (January 2007, Revised June 2007) and the Review of C* Grade Buildings in the former City of Hawthorn (September 2006, Revised June 2007).
The Panel supported the adoption of the amendment with the removal of seven places from the amendment.
Full Panel Report for Boroondara Planning Scheme Amendment C64
Warrnambool Planning Scheme Amendment C57
Panel: Jennifer Moles, Chair
Amendment C57 to the Warrnambool Planning Scheme proposed to include the 1940s guest house known as ‘Sandilands’, located at 1A Liebig Street, Warrnambool, in the Heritage Overlay.
In the report, the Panel considered the need for a rigorous assessment of cultural heritage significance and well-reasoned expert evidence.
The Panel concluded that the subject building is worthy of inclusion in the Heritage Overlay because of its historical value arising from its association with builder Ernest Harris and because of its heritage value due to its former guesthouse role.
Full Panel Report for Warrnambool Planning Scheme Amendment C57
Melton Planning Scheme Amendment C71
Panel: Helen Martin, Chair and Renate Howe
Amendment C71 to the Melton Planning Scheme proposed to implement the recommendations of the Shire of Melton Heritage Study 2007 by including 113 individual places in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay. It also proposed to amend/introduce planning scheme maps, to introduce an incorporated plan to Melton Cemetery (HO69), to include the Statements of Significance for the 113 places as an incorporated document under the planning scheme, and to ensure that sites included on the Victorian Heritage Register were mapped/scheduled accurately.
Amongst the matters considered by the Panel was the proposed inclusion of places of historical or scientific (archaeological) significance in the HO, where these places contained relatively scarce or deteriorated fabric and thus little direct evidence of their importance.
The Panel concluded that the Melton Heritage Study met and often exceeded the expectations of a local heritage study and generally formed a good basis for the application of heritage controls. It also concluded that it is legitimate for places of historical or scientific significance to be included under the HO, providing their significance is established and there is some remaining fabric or other physical components (such as potential archaeological deposits) to be managed under the overlay. Five places were recommended for removal from the amendment.
Full Panel Report for Melton Planning Scheme Amendment C71
Monash Planning Scheme Amendment C79
Panel: Helen Weston, Chair
Amendment C79 to the Monash Planning Scheme applied to land located within the former Brandon Park Secondary College site at 6-20 Brandon Park Drive, Wheelers Hill. The amendment proposed to apply a Heritage Overlay to the row of approximately 50 Sugar Gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) trees immediately west of Strada Avenue on this site.
The Panel found that the proposed amendment was acceptable from a planning perspective and that there was strategic justification for the proposed amendment through the provisions of the Municipal Strategic Statement and the Planning Scheme in general. The Panel found that proposed Amendment C79 to the Monash Planning Scheme, as exhibited, should be adopted.
Full Panel Report for Monash Planning Scheme Amendment C79
Southern Grampians Planning Scheme Amendment C6
Panel: Jennifer Moles, Chair and Peter Finn
Amendment C6 to the Southern Grampians Planning Scheme proposed to apply the Heritage Overlay to 430 individual properties, many of which were identified in the Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study 2003, and the Significant Landscape Overlay to four properties. Minor amendments to the Municipal Strategic Statement and the Local Planning Policy were also proposed.
In their report, the Panel considered appropriate curtilages for farm complexes, Aboriginal heritage sites and archaeological sites.
The Panel supported adoption of the amendment with the removal of three places from the HO, the amendment of the HO curtilage for four places and minor drafting changes.
Full Report for Southern Grampians Planning Scheme Amendment C6
Darebin Planning Scheme Amendment C68
Panel: Nick Wimbush, Chair and Helen Martin
Amendment C68 to the Darebin Planning Scheme has been prepared to implement key directions in the Preston Central Structure Plan. The Amendment provides a comprehensive strategic planning framework for Preston Central, identified as a Principal Activity Centre in Melbourne 2030 and the Melbourne 2030 update, Melbourne @ 5 million.
Relevantly, the amendment includes the introduction of the Priority Development Zone; the application of the Heritage Overlay and the Environmental Audit Overlay; incorporation of the Preston Central Incorporated Plan and the Preston Residential Heritage Precincts Permit Exemptions; and modifications to local policy.
The Panel found that the heritage aspects of the proposed amendment were acceptable, subject to inclusion of the Statements of Significance for the precincts within the Incorporated Document 'Preston Residential Heritage Precincts Permit Exemptions, February 2008'.
Full Report for Darebin Planning Scheme Amendment C68