ResCode Reforms [Read More]

ResCode, which governs much of residential development in Victoria, including townhouses, units and low-rise apartments, has already changed. The Victorian Government has introduced significant changes to the residential planning framework, including new deemed-to-comply pathways for eligible developments. These reforms extend beyond the Activity Centre Program and affect residential development in many Victorian neighbourhoods.

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Townhouse and Low-Rise Code (up to 3 storeys) [Read More]

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• One-size-fits-all standards: Applies statewide standards across diverse neighbourhoods, with less flexibility to respond to local character, housing patterns and environmental conditions.

• Deemed-to-comply means less council and community control: Where prescribed standards are met, the corresponding objectives are deemed to be satisfied and council is not required to consider the associated decision guidelines. Where all applicable standards are met, there is no third-party VCAT appeal right.

• More intensive development: Changes to setbacks, site coverage and private open-space requirements can allow greater development intensity on individual lots. The Code reduced the minimum ground-level private open space requirement from 40m² to 25m².

• Changes to privacy, trees and landscaping: The Code changes some overlooking and internal-view requirements and introduces standards for tree canopy and landscaping.

• Reduced independent review: Residents may still be notified and able to make objections in applicable cases, but where the relevant deemed-to-comply standards are met, third-party VCAT appeal rights do not apply.

• Cumulative neighbourhood impacts: Greater development intensity and reduced local flexibility may affect privacy, open space, tree canopy, amenity and neighbourhood character across established residential areas.

In summary: The Townhouse and Low-Rise Code makes it faster and more certain to approve eligible development of up to three storeys where prescribed standards are met, while reducing council discretion and removing third-party VCAT appeal rights in qualifying cases. The changes may enable greater development intensity, with potential impacts on privacy, trees, gardens, open space and neighbourhood character.

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Mid-Rise Code (4 to 6 storeys) [Read More]

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• Deemed-to-comply pathway: Compliant 4–6 storey apartment developments can receive a streamlined approval, providing faster and more certain planning decisions.

• Less council discretion and community review: Where applicable standards are met, the corresponding objectives are deemed to be satisfied and specified decision guidelines do not need to be considered. Eligible applications meeting the relevant requirements have no third-party VCAT appeal right.

• Standardised statewide requirements: The Code establishes statewide standards for matters including setbacks, site coverage, tree canopy, private open space, communal space, daylight, overlooking and sustainability.

• Changes to open space, landscaping and sustainability: The new standards include requirements for private open space, tree canopy, stormwater management, energy efficiency and other sustainability measures while facilitating greater development intensity.

• Greater development intensity: Facilitates 4–6 storey apartment development under a streamlined pathway, potentially changing the scale and character of established residential neighbourhoods.

• Cumulative neighbourhood impacts: Increased development intensity, reduced local flexibility and fewer opportunities for independent review may affect privacy, open space, landscaping, amenity and neighbourhood character.

In summary: The Mid-Rise Code makes 4–6 storey apartment development faster and more streamlined where proposals meet the prescribed standards, while reducing council discretion and opportunities for third-party review. The changes facilitate greater development intensity and introduce new requirements for open space, tree canopy and sustainability, with potential impacts on amenity, neighbourhood character and liveability.

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Better Decisions Made Faster Act [Read More]

The ‘Better Decisions, Made Faster’ Act 2026 makes significant changes to Victoria’s Planning and Environment Act 1987, introducing new streamlined pathways for planning permits and planning scheme amendments. Some provisions are already in effect, with the majority of reforms scheduled to commence by 29 October 2027. The changes give the State Government a greater role in planning decision-making and reduce some opportunities for local input and independent review.

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• More Ministerial power: gives the Planning Minister greater control over planning rules and decisions, with less local and Parliamentary oversight.

• Less community input: reduces opportunities for residents to be notified, object or seek independent review of some planning decisions.

• Less local decision-making: reduces the role of councils in decisions affecting neighbourhood character, land use and development.

• Faster decisions, less scrutiny: introduces streamlined processes that can reduce local scrutiny and consideration of local circumstances.

• Restrictive covenants easier to override: makes it easier for some covenants to be removed or varied, potentially affecting land previously protected by local agreements.

• Environmental and neighbourhood risks: reduced local oversight may affect how issues such as neighbourhood character, flooding and other local impacts are considered.

In summary: The ‘Better Decisions, Made Faster’ Act gives the State Government greater control over planning, while reducing the role of councils and communities in some planning decisions and limiting opportunities for local scrutiny and independent review.

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Great Design Fast Track [Read More]

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The Great Design Fast Track, introduced by the State Government in April 2026, allows eligible residential developments of eight or more dwellings to be determined by the Minister for Planning through a streamlined process.

The pathway is not limited to Activity Centres and can be used for eligible developments anywhere housing is permitted in Victoria.

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• State decision-making: the Planning Minister, rather than the local council, makes the final decision.

• Planning controls can be varied: certain local requirements can be varied, potentially allowing greater building height, reduced setbacks or changes to garden area and parking requirements.

• Reduced community review: residents can make submissions when an application is advertised, but there is no third-party right to appeal the Minister’s decision to VCAT.

• Statewide application: the pathway is not limited to activity centres and can apply to eligible developments anywhere housing is permitted in Victoria.

• “Great design” determines access: proposals must meet seven State Government design principles, with the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) assessing whether those principles are met.

In summary: The Great Design Fast Track pathway gives the State Government greater control over eligible residential development, allowing certain planning controls to be varied while reducing the role of councils and opportunities for independent community review.

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Impact on Our Community

These planning changes are reshaping established Victorian communities, with potential impacts on neighbourhood character, liveability and the way development is planned and approved:

• Residents may have fewer opportunities to object or appeal certain planning decisions.

• Heritage overlays and restrictive covenants face increased development pressure, with some reforms making it easier to vary or remove restrictive covenants.

• Greater development intensity in established residential streets, including taller and more intensive housing in some areas.

• Potential impacts on green space, privacy, sunlight and neighbourhood character.

• Increased pressure on local infrastructure and services, together with potential environmental and amenity impacts.

Moonee Valley is also experiencing a fundamental shift. These reforms are not simply about delivering more housing; they are changing how development is planned, assessed and approved, with greater emphasis on streamlined processes and State-level planning frameworks.