Planning & Building

Making Heritage Even More Sustainable

As expressed in the Community Plan the community is keen to see Council work to develop a sustainable bay side city planning scheme as a model to other councils, and to highlight environmental sustainability, economic development, quality urban design and social and community amenity. Council is continuing to work to improve planning controls and processes to achieve more sustainable outcomes for applicants and the wider community.

Over 80% of Port Phillip is covered by some degree of heritage control. Council recognises the significant value the community places on heritage and the role these heritage controls play in preserving this. However it is important that these do not unnecessarily impede the creation of a more environmentally friendly built environment.

Council believes that heritage considerations and improved environmental performance to be mutually supportive and must be kept in careful balance if the most sustainable outcomes are to be achieved.

However circumstances may arise where the need to improve a building's environmental performance will not be consistent with the relevant heritage controls. In these circumstances, a balanced outcome must still be achieved. Generally, where heritage controls would not be met Council would only allow the environmental improvements if all other reasonable alternatives have been explored.

Nonetheless these situations can only be considered on a case-by-case basis. Council will always take account of its heritage controls, as these allow us to monitor, guide, and where necessary restrict such activities to ensure they are not unreasonably intrusive or detrimental and to achieve the most appropriate outcome for applicants, the wider community and the natural environment.

To streamline the application process Council now waives the application fee associated with obtaining a planning permit for various sustainable design initiatives (rainwater tanks, photovoltaic panels, etc.), with these typically processed through our Fast Track service and completed in less than 3 weeks.

More Information

Our Heritage, Urban Design and Sustainable Design advisors are available to assist you if you have any further questions or comments. To arrange a meeting, or to ask about other planning-related matters please contact our Planning Department at the St Kilda Town Hall (cnr Carlisle Street & Brighton Road) on (03) 9209 6777  or via planhelp@portphillip.vic.gov.au