New limits ‘to protect views’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
PLANS to remove a 7.5-metre building height limit from areas without “significant” views are set to go on public display.
A report to council said City of Greater Geelong officers had identified 16 precincts with views worth protecting.
The precincts included parts of Wandana Heights, Highton, Newtown, Herne Hill, Hamlyn Heights, Bell Post Hill, Ocean Grove, Indented Head, St Leonards Portarlington, Point Lonsdale, Barwon Heads, Drysdale, Clifton Springs and Leopold.
Council planning portfolio holder Rod Macdonald said nine-metre limits would apply in other areas.
Buildings outside the 16 precincts would no longer require planning permits.
The report said loss of the 7.5m height trigger “may be negatively viewed by some in the community”.
“The right to participate in the planning process for a single two-storey dwelling over 7.5m will be removed unless it is in an area strategically identified as having access to views.
“The majority of existing permits for dwellings over 7.5 metres are in areas that have access to views or are covered by another planning control.”
The report said the proposal sought to ensure that the siting, height and visual bulk of dwellings achieved a “reasonable sharing of views between properties and significant landscape features”.
“A view impact analysis should be submitted when there is likely to be an impact on views to significant landscape features by the proposed development,” the report said.
“Any view impact analysis should demonstrate how the design objectives to achieve a reasonable sharing of views has been met.”