Future Homes streamlined planning process

The Future Homes Designs can currently be purchased for $150 excluding GST. This price is intended to incentivise early adopters of the project and represents a 99% discount on the usual price, which is $15,000 (excluding GST).

The designs can only be purchased if they will be used for a planning permit application for a site that meets the eligibility criteria. By purchasing the designs, you will gain access to the streamlined planning process including direct guidance from DTP and OVGA. To access the streamlined planning process, a planning application will have to be lodged within 12 months of purchasing the designs, unless an extension is sought from DTP.

There are costs associated with appointing consultants to adapt the selected design to your site, as well as preparing any supporting technical reports. These costs should be discussed with your technical team.

Like any other planning permit application, an application fee will be payable to council at the time of lodgement. Please contact the relevant council to determine the application fee.

A Metropolitan Planning Levy applies to applications for a planning permit to develop land in metropolitan Melbourne where the estimated cost of the development is more than $1 million.

Future Homes is eligible on sites that are covered by overlays (excluding Heritage Overlay and Neighbourhood Character Overlay). This means that if your site is covered by an overlay, the Future Homes team will work with you in Phase 1 to ensure your application responds to and meets the requirements of that overlay. If a site eligible for Future Homes is covered by an overlay that restricts a crucial element of the Future Homes design, we will advise you upfront that a Future Homes design will not be possible on that site.

If your site is affected by an overlay, you will need to be aware of the following:

Project initiation: The Future Homes team will work with you to ensure the design is adapted to meet the requirements of the applicable overlay. Council’s input will also be requested.

Referrals: The process doesn’t differ from a traditional planning application process and DTP will consider how the adaptation responds to the relevant overlay.

Application Lodgement: Council will be assessing your application against the Future Homes provision and any applicable overlays. This means that Council will follow their normal planning process when assessing the application against the requirements of the overlay. So, third party appeal rights are applicable.

Decision: Council will undertake a formal assessment against the Future Homes provision and any applicable overlays. The decision based on the overlay component may be delegated, but councillors will have the ability to call in the decision. Third party appeal rights apply to a decision made in relation to any applicable overlays.

It may take longer for a decision to be made if your site is affected by an overlay, however the Future Homes approval process has been front-loaded to ensure any issues are worked through early and to create more certainty in the planning process.

Yes, just like any other planning application for apartments, neighbours will receive notification from council about proposed Future Homes applications under section 52 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

As per usual planning processes, you may choose to write in support of, provide suggestions on refinements or object to the proposal. However, unlike a regular planning application, there are no third-party appeal rights in relation to Future Homes applications.

Future Homes are designed to deliver better homes for occupants, better developments for those living next door and better buildings for the environment. These considerations are built into the designs so that the costly disputes and delays associated with third-party appeals can be avoided. Both DTP and the OVGA assess applications before they are considered by council to ensure the quality of Future Homes developments.

If your site is affected by an overlay, third party appeal rights exist in relation to the overlay. A decision by council can be appealed by an objector to the Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal in relation to the applicable overlay. The views of the community are important and will continue to be considered as part of the usual planning notification process for all Future Homes applications.

Once a planning permit is issued there may be some amendments required.

The following may apply:

• Endorsed plans: typically, endorsed plans will be issued with and form part of the permit, however council may require changes by condition to endorse the plans in some circumstances
• Secondary consent: to modify minor details on the plans, council will determine the application
• Amendment to the permit: as a determining referral authority DTP will be required to review the request. This will be done upfront, prior to lodgement of the amendment with council.