This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Victorian government will introduce new design guidelines next year to prevent dog box apartments.
In launching the Better Apartments Design Standards, Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the government did not set a mandatory minimum overall apartment size because it wanted to allow “flexibility and innovation.” However there are minimum sizes set for bedrooms and living areas.
The minimum width for the main bedroom must be 3 metres width and 3.4 metres depth and all other bedrooms must be a minimum 3×3.
The minimum living area dimensions also vary:
- A studio and one bedroom apartment, the width must be at least 3.3 metres width and minimum area of 10 sqm.
- For two or more bedroom dwellings, the width must be at least 3.6 metres with a minimum area of 12 sqm.
Furthermore developers will have to meet minimum design standards to ensure new units contain adequate light, functional storage and allow for natural air flow. Minimum design standards include an apartments with enough room to fit a bed and a fridge.
The program will start in March 2017 and Wynne said there will be education programs to local governments on how to assess more complex developments, as well as training sessions for council and private-sector planning, building and design practitioners.
“The new standards provide clear rules for apartment liveability while allowing for innovation and design excellence
“We need to ensure apartments have adequate daylight access, privacy, outlook, functional internal and outdoor space, storage, natural ventilation and acoustic protection to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
“We also need to design apartments to meet the needs of people with limited mobility, and to help protect the environment by encouraging recycling and waste minimisation, energy and water efficiency, and by providing adequate landscaping to minimise stormwater run-off and to help cool our urban areas.
“In setting the basic standards for internal apartment design, the Victorian government is taking action to ensure Victorians have high-quality housing choices that offer long-term liveability,” Wynne said.
The Property Council has welcomed the changes, although Victorian executive director Sally Capp said these standards are too prescriptive.
“On balance, this is a workable policy that the government is to be commended on. Whilst we welcome the Standards, there are still some measures that are too prescriptive such as the minimum balcony requirements,” Capp said.
“The new setback provisions recognise that each development needs to be assessed on a merits basis and within a local context; we agree that there should not be a one size fits all solution.
“We support government’s decision to include a snorkel ratio in the Standards as this maintains a quality benchmark while allowing for flexibility in floorplate configuration,” she added.
“We remain concerned regarding the discretion left to councils to implement the Standards. Education for industry and councils is going to be crucial to ensure that this policy delivers the quality outcomes expected.
“We look forward to continuing a constructive working relationship with the government throughout this process, ensuring that we support Melbourne’s liveability while not compromising on affordability in the apartment market,” Capp concluded.
Australian Property Journal
