Your planning questions and answers

Council does not have the power to stop population growth.

State Government policy (called Plan Melbourne) says that every council area, particularly inner Melbourne, must take its share. Bayside is not alone.

Plan Melbourne is the Victorian Government strategy that sets out how Melbourne will grow and change until 2050. It says there will be 3.5 million more residents, needing 1.6million additional homes between 2021 and 2050. For Bayside this means around 25,337 new residents and 12,719 additional homes (between 2016-2050).

It is unsustainable to keep expanding Melbourne’s outer-urban growth areas. If the metropolitan area continues to expand, the natural environment will be impacted, commute times to employment and services will grow longer, and socioeconomic disparities across the city will increase.

For this reason the Victorian Government’s policy Plan Melbourne mandates that every council area in Melbourne accommodate its share of growth.

This also helps address issues such as: housing affordability, having a variety of housing available to cater for different household needs and lifestyles, and the provision of housing close to jobs and services.

No. This is a common question and misconception about how Council rates work.

Rates are capped by the Victorian Government who establish a maximum percentage by which rates can increase annually, regardless of any increase in the number of dwellings and people living in the municipality.

To calculate rates, first, the total amount of money Council needs to deliver infrastructure and services for the community is calculated every year. This must be lower than the rate cap which is 1.75% in 2022/23. This amount is split equitably across all properties in Bayside in the form of rates. Like splitting the bill at a restaurant.

When more properties are built in Bayside it brings more people, and Council must increase the services and facilities it provides to cater for this growth. This increases the total cost (so the total amount of money needed), but then this cost is in turn split equitably across more properties.

It is a common misconception that Council ‘profits’ from more properties because each property is charged a predetermined set rate, regardless of Council’s costs.

There are also other trends that Council must manage which influences the overall budget needed each year:

• Council’s costs also increase (the amount Council needs to pay for goods and services)
• The amount of other funding decreases (like funding from other levels of government)
• There is a demand for new types of Council services or facilities

Each Council's Financial Performance can be viewed and compared in the Know Your Council website.
 

An estimated 7,500 new homes will be needed in Bayside by 2036. Of this approximately:

• Most of this housing growth will be in our suburb centres and priority development sites. These areas make up about 15% of Bayside
• A smaller amount of housing growth will be spread across the remainder of Bayside’s residential area (about 83% of Bayside).
• You can see the different locations of growth in Bayside on the map on this page.

Council has a vision and tailored planning provisions for each activity centre in Bayside to guide the growth and change in that area.

The former CSIRO site in Highett will see the largest housing growth in Bayside. This is because it is the largest remaining available space in Bayside and close to shops and services. Other priority development sites are at Nepean Hwy/Union Street and Nepean Hwy/Milroy Streets in Brighton, Barr St Hampton East and Jack Road in Pennydale. View the priority development sites on the map on this page.

 

A Strategic Redevelopment Site is a location identified by the Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne and the Bayside Planning Scheme as locations capable of accommodating medium to high density housing growth

 

There are five strategic redevelopment sites identified in Bayside. The sites are the former CSIRO site, Nepean Hwy/Union Street and Nepean Hwy/Milroy Streets in Brighton, Barr St Hampton East and Jack Road in Pennydale. These are generally larger sites that are in sole ownership or are located close to facilities and services.

A Strategic Redevelopment Site is a location identified by the Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne and the Bayside Planning Scheme as locations capable of accommodating medium to high density housing growth.
The level of change expected varies from site to site. There are different planning controls in place to guide the outcomes at each site. 
These planning controls generally provide for developments of between 3 and 6 storeys. Where there is a direct interface to land within the Neighbourhood Residential Zone, there are measures in place to ensure that the interface with lower scale housing is considered as part of any redevelopment proposal, such as:

• lower levels of any new development are to be set back from site boundaries to create separation; and 
• upper floors to be further set back to minimise overlooking and overshadowing.

As each site has a different context, there may be differences between what is allowed at each site.

The map below illustrates the growth zones across Bayside including those in Sandringham.

The Sandringham Major Activity Centre is the main area designated for growth in the suburb, with a site on the cnr of Beach Road and Georgiana Street identified as a strategic redevelopment site (minimal residential growth).

Small Activity Centres on the corners of Bluff Road/Bay Road, Bay Road/Avoca Street, Bay Road/Jack Road and Bluff Road/Spring Street are also identified as locations where housing growth is encouraged.

The area of Cheltenham between Weatherall Road and Cheltenham railway station is zoned GRZ1 due to its proximity to the railway station, shops and services.

Generally, GRZ1 zones are areas identified for moderate residential growth via medium density development as these areas provide good access to transport and services. This zone has a mandatory 3 storey height limit and specifies the setbacks for new development from boundaries, as well as restricting coverage to no more than 50% of the site.

The site coverage, height, scale and massing of new development in GRZ1 zones must be in accordance with the recommendations of any Structure Plan, Design Framework or relevant planning provisions. Council is currently doing some work to review these and is seeking community feedback on the preferred future character of these GRZ areas. Visit Have Your Say for more details. 

The Hampton Street Structure Plan 2006 remains the relevant strategic planning document relating to the Hampton Street Major Activity Centre. It took a few years to get the structure plan changes included in the Planning Scheme, which occurred in 2013.

The Structure Plan was reviewed in 2016 to ensure that the direction provided remained relevant and overall, it was found that the directions of the Plan were effective in delivering the outcomes sought and that development was being undertaken in accordance with the Structure Plan.

Council is currently looking to refine some of the controls that apply to the residential precincts in the centre, as well as reviewing the criteria in place for varying some of the discretionary height controls in the commercial parts of the centre. To find out more about these projects, keep an eye on our social media channel and Have Your Say page.

The State Government sets the process for assessing planning permit applications, and the criteria for what a decision about a planning application can and can’t be based on.

Council assesses and decides on planning permit applications in Bayside following State Government rules, regulations, process and criteria.

Community members can also raise concerns about proposed development through the planning permit assessment process (known as ‘objections’). Solutions are sought (where possible) through consultation with all parties before Council decides whether to grant a permit. Not all types of permit applications are able to be publicly advertised as there are exemptions set up for certain application types.

If the applicant or an objector is unhappy with Council’s decision, or Council takes too long to decide (more than 60 days), they can request an independent review by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). VCAT has the power to overrule a Council’s decision.

Find out more about the planning permit process here.

The planning system in Victoria is managed by the State Government and is the overall responsibility of the Minister for Planning.

There are a range of rules and regulations in the Victorian Planning Scheme that guide development to make sure it is appropriate. This includes Residential Design Standards (ResCode), Better Apartment Design Standards and tailored local policies and controls for Bayside.

A Council’s role in the planning system is to:

1. help inform and propose localised planning regulations for approval and inclusion in the State Government’s planning scheme (rules), and
2. administer these planning rules in its local area, through the planning permit process.

As a Council doesn’t ‘own’ or have the final say on the planning rules, its planning decisions can be appealed at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). VCAT is a State Government entity (but independent) that is not as formal as a court, but a tribunal that hears and decide cases according to law. Therefore, VCAT has the power to overrule a Council planning decision based on the application of the law.

The more legally robust Council’s decisions on planning permit applications, the less likely they will be overturned by VCAT if they are appealed.

A challenge is that sometimes what is acceptable by law (planning scheme), is unacceptable for the local community. The other challenge is that law is not always black and white, but open to interpretation. Councils’ try to make the best decision in this context.

Find out more about the planning permit process here.

The planning system in Victoria is managed by the State Government and is the overall responsibility of the Minister for Planning. A Council’s role in that system is to:

1. help inform and propose localised planning regulations for approval and inclusion in the State Government’s planning scheme (rules), and
2. administer these planning rules in its local area, through the planning permit process.

As a Council doesn’t ‘own’ or have the final say on the planning rules, its planning decisions can be appealed at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). VCAT is a State Government entity (but independent) that is not as formal as a court, but a tribunal that hears and decide cases according to law. Therefore, VCAT has the power to overrule a Council planning decision based on the application of the law.

The more legally robust Council’s decisions on planning permit applications, the less likely they will be overturned by VCAT if they are appealed.

A challenge is that sometimes what is acceptable by law (planning scheme), is unacceptable for the local community. The other challenge is that law is not always black and white, but open to interpretation. Councils’ try to make the best decision in this context.

Bayside City Council receives approximately 1,100 to 1,250 planning applications each year. In 2021-21, 75 Bayside planning matters were considered at VCAT. Of that, 24 were settled prior to a VCAT hearing, and 44 were heard by VCAT where Council’s decision was upheld for 23 matters and overturned for 21 matters (the remaining matters were withdrawn).

Council’s Senior Planning Officers will attend and represent Council at a VCAT hearing and Council will often also engage legal representation. Anyone who lodged an objection to a planning permit application can also participate in the VCAT process. Even if Council approves a permit application, any objectors can lodge an independent appeal of Council’s decision at VCAT.

The State Government is responsible for the provision of public housing in Victoria (with funding contributions from the Commonwealth Government).  

The Minister for Planning is the Responsible Authority for development and use of the land for or on behalf of a Minister of the Crown. When assessing a planning permit application within the City of Bayside the Minister will generally seek comments from Bayside City Council. In specific circumstances, Bayside City Council is a Referral Authority for the application, and the Minister for Planning must formally refer the planning application to Council. Through the available processes Council represents the interests of the local community and influence public housing outcomes in Bayside through advocacy with the relevant agencies.

As public housing and the planning system are both the responsibility of the Victorian Government, Council does not have any authority to be able to change these exemptions. 

Bayside has more than 1,500 properties included in a heritage overlay which provides planning protection to historic buildings, landscapes, places and objects recognised as culturally, architecturally and or historically significant. Council’s Revised Heritage Action Plan 2020 includes a full review of buildings of all eras across Bayside over the next fifteen years, commencing with the Post War Residential Modern Heritage Study which is to be completed in 2021/22.

While heritage protection is used to preserve and maintain significant heritage values as they are, neighbourhood character is something that evolves over time, especially in areas of higher growth and change, like Bayside’s Activity/shopping Centres and Strategic Redevelopment sites.

The planning system does not include any legal provisions to prevent the demolition of a property not included in the heritage overlay should the owner choose to do so. What the planning scheme does do, through Neighbourhood Character Guidelines, is set the preferred character attributes that any new development on that site should fit in with and contribute to. Residents can lodge objections to proposed new development if they feel it will not fit within the neighbourhood character through the planning permit process.

The Minister for Planning is responsible for approving heritage protection to be incorporated into the planning scheme. There are two things that Council does to try and speed up the process when there is concern that significant properties are threatened.

1. Request the Minister to apply ‘Interim heritage protections’. The Minister has the power to apply immediate temporary protections to give Council time to undertake the detailed research and strategic work required to seek permanent protections. Council is still required to make a case for the application of interim protections and they are made at the discretion of the Minister. Usually interim protections are applied for 12-18 months.
2. Advocate. Where a proposed heritage protections are sitting with the Minister or their Department for final consideration, Council and the community can advocate for them to be considered as a priority.

There are several ways Council tries to encourage development that fits in with the natural environment. These include:

• Applying special requirements (called ‘overlays’) across parts of Bayside through the Bayside Planning Scheme. These apply further protections to trees and vegetation and include a Heritage Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlay, Vegetation Protection Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay.
• Maintaining a Significant Tree Register that applies higher levels of protection to identified significant trees (residents can nominate trees to be included)
• A Local Law that requires a permit for removal of trees of a certain size on private land, and requires a replacement tree planted if removal is approved

Council’s Draft Urban Forest Strategy also includes actions such as:

• Increase tree canopy cover to reach 25% across Bayside by 2030 by planting more than 2,000 trees each year
• Create a healthy and resilient urban forest with habitat biodiversity for locally endangered and native species
• Improve how we monitor and track the health and extent of our urban forest
• Maintain existing canopy cover and avoid further decline through strengthening tree protections
• Support services and resources to encourage greater care of our urban forest

Council also holds the Bayside Built Environment Awards to recognise design excellence and raise awareness of design, landscape and heritage issues. The awards include a category recognising ecological sustainable design.

Tree canopy covers approximately 16.07% of Bayside (as measured in 2018). This is down from 16.89% in 2014.

Development is one factor in this change, and others include impacts of a changing climate and trees reaching their natural end of life. While Council regulates the protection of trees over a specified size, some trees can be removed without a permit.

Increasing tree canopy is not something Council can do alone. To achieve this requires maintaining and protecting existing trees and planting new ones on both private and public land.

To protect and grow tree and vegetation coverage Council has:

• Limited high-density growth to central activity areas, to help preserve more space for trees and vegetation across our neighbourhoods
• Developed its first Draft Urban Forest Strategy with a target of 25% tree canopy coverage by 2030. This will require an increase in tree canopy cover of 1% per year over the next 9 years.
• A Significant Tree Register which require higher levels of protection
• A Local Law that requires a permit for removal of trees of a certain size on private land, and requires a replacement tree planted if removal is approved; and
• Various provisions in the planning scheme that require permission for removal of trees and vegetation and the submissions of landscape plans for Council approval
• Policies throughout the Planning Scheme that require space for vegetation and tree canopy retention and planting in the front, side and rear setbacks for new developments.

Tree canopy and vegetation cover in Bayside is in decline and the community consistently raises concerns about it. Our aim is to protect significant vegetation and trees to the greatest extent possible, balancing other important community needs.

Council applies three key tools regardless of whether it is an existing property or new development:

• Special requirements (called ‘overlays’) across parts of Bayside through the Bayside Planning Scheme, for example: a Heritage Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlay, Vegetation Protection Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay.
• A Significant Tree Register that applies higher levels of protection to identified significant trees
• A Local Law that requires a permit for removal of trees of a certain size and requires a replacement tree planted if removal is approved.

For new development, Council must try to find the right balance between the State Government mandate to accommodate a growing population (and needing more homes) and preserving important natural flora and fauna. In some cases, these decisions are made outside of Councils control by VCAT. In all cases, where significant vegetation or trees are removed, developers must provide landscape plans that detail how this will be replaced.

For existing properties, there are also a few circumstances where the removal of significant trees and vegetation may be allowed, for example if it poses a safety risk.

During the development of our first Urban Forest Strategy in 2021, some residents expressed frustration with the practicality of some of the rules in relation to their property. Council will be reviewing our Local Law and planning scheme tools as part of the implementation of the strategy to try and achieve the right balance.
 

Tree canopy in Bayside is declining, covering approximately 16.07% of Bayside (as measured in 2018). This is down from 16.89% in 2014.

Protecting large trees that provide canopy is a priority because they provide many essential benefits for the climate, our air and stormwater run-off, native flora and fauna, shade and cooling our neighbourhoods and our general wellbeing.

If a large tree poses an immediate risk of personal injury or property damage it may be approved for removal or pruning. However, once a large tree is lost, it can take decades to replace, so removal or significant lopping would be a last resort and any application would need to be supported by an assessment by a qualified arborist.

Like many communities, Bayside has a growing proportion of older people and people with higher levels of disability. We acknowledge that maintenance of trees can be challenging for these residents, and poorly maintained trees can pose greater safety risks, such as tripping/slipping hazards.

We provide a limited range of gardening support to residents under a specific set of eligibility criteria targeted at those most vulnerable.  It is recommended in the Urban Forest Strategy that Council investigate a range of options to support older people and people with a disability to manage the impact of trees on their safety and independence, such as the establishment of a panel of private garden services that would charge a more affordable rate for vulnerable people as well as volunteer support for tree management.  

Council has Neighbourhood Character Guidelines within the planning scheme that set out the preferred character attributes of an area.

In planning terms, ‘character’ is a description of how distinctive and common features of an area come together to form a visual identity – put simply, it’s the look and feel of a place. For example, building height, building materials, landscaping, setbacks from boundaries and many more elements combine to form a local character.

The spread and intensity of development in Bayside is clearly defined in the planning scheme with 83% of Bayside zoned for minimal growth (maximum two-storeys) and higher density development directed to clearly defined Activity/shopping Centres and Strategic Redevelopment sites (as shown on the Residential Strategic Framework Plan map).

The planning system does not include any legal provisions to prevent the demolition of a well-maintained home should the owner choose to do so (provided it is not subject to any special protections such as heritage). What the planning scheme does do, through Neighbourhood Character Guidelines, is set the preferred character attributes that any new development on that site should fit in with and contribute to. Residents can lodge objections to proposed new development if they feel it will not fit within the neighbourhood character through the planning permit process.

While heritage protection is used to preserve and maintain significant heritage values as they are, neighbourhood character is something that evolves over time, especially in areas of higher growth and change, like Bayside’s Activity/shopping Centres and Strategic Redevelopment sites.

Council is currently seeking feedback from the community about your preferred future character in Bayside’s General Residential Zones (or areas where more intense development is being directed). You can get involved here until 16 January 2022.

Next year Council will also be seeking feedback from the community about your preferred future character in Bayside’s Neighbourhood Residential Zones (or the majority of Bayside that is zoned for minimal growth)

Apartments are one important part of the housing mix needed to:

• Accommodate our growing population
• Meet the changing housing needs of the population (fewer people per household); and

• Do so in our municipality which has very little vacant land for housing in areas zoned for growth (except for the CSIRO site).

Our local planning regulations direct development of apartments to the central activity centres of our suburbs or development sites close to transport and services. This makes up only around 15% of Bayside. This has allowed us to limit development across the remainder of Bayside to minimal growth, with a mandatory two-storey height limit (this is one of the highest proportions of any Victorian metropolitan municipality).

The alternative option to meet our mandated level of growth would be to reduce the proportion of Bayside that is limited to minimal (two-storey) growth. This would allow more medium density growth across a large proportion of Bayside’s residential neighbourhoods which would be further from transport hubs and services.

Clause 55 of the Bayside Planning Scheme sets out the rules around overshadowing and overlooking including:

• Clause 55.04-5 – Overshadowing open space objective, which seeks to ensure that buildings do not significantly overshadow existing secluded private open space.
• Clause 55.04-6 – Overlooking objective, which seeks to limit views into existing seclude private open space and habitable room windows.

To assess these rules, it is mandated by the State Government that planners use the 21 September equinox.

Council could potentially attempt to change these rules through a Planning Scheme Amendment, however given that the rules are state-wide, it is unlikely changes would be supported on an individual municipality basis.

There are a range of rules and regulations in the Victorian Planning Scheme that guide development to make sure it is appropriate. This includes Residential Design Standards (ResCode), Better Apartment Design Standards and tailored local policies and controls for Bayside.

In a residential zone, if a lot is over 500m² and there are no specific overlays eg Heritage or Special Building Overlay, then a planning permit is not be required providing that it was only for a single dwelling or an extension.  Any development of two or more dwellings on a lot will always require a permit and will be assessed against all the rules to determine whether a permit is given.

All housing development must comply with building standards established by the Victorian Government. The Victorian Better Apartments Design Standards are guidelines specifying elements such as internal layout, functionality, room depth, windows, storage, energy efficiency, noise impacts and external aspects such as communal open space, landscaping, waste and recycling and accessibility.

The government has recently introduced changes to the Better Apartments Design Standards in relation to green space, external materials, wind impacts and integration with street and continues to monitor the implementation of these standards.

When assessing a planning permit application for apartments, Council has a range of controls in place but most design is determined by the Victorian Government controls.

There are two ways Council can manage the impact of construction on the surrounding area:

1. Through a condition on a Planning Permit: Depending on the size and nature of the development, if a planning permit is issued then it can contain a condition that requires a Construction Management Plan to be developed and followed. These plans set out how the construction process will be managed to minimise impacts on the surrounding area and ensure that the development is constructed in a safe manner. If this plan is not followed, then Council has enforcement options.
2. Through Council’s Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law: Any development must also comply with Local Law which covers aspects like vehicles on roads, hours when building works are allowed, how assets like footpaths, driveways and street trees will be protected or repaired/replaced, noise and cleanliness of building sites and more. If breaches are made, Council has enforcement options.

In addition to Council provisions, there are also Victorian Government WorkSafe requirements that apply.
To report any concerns, contact Council on 9599 4444 (including after hours).
 

The State Government sets the rules for property setbacks in its Residential Design Standards (or ResCode). The setback of buildings from the street is a key determinant of neighbourhood character, and the Standards generally try to maintain a consistent minimum set back along any street.

Street setbacks are generally less for those properties where the street is managed by VicRoads, whereas Council owned roads require a greater street setback.  The Bayside Planning Scheme includes greater setbacks than standard Rescode in order to respect the existing or preferred neighbourhood character. 
 

When a footpath or any public asset (such as a road, crossing, nature strip) is affected by a development or building works, the developer must restore it back to equal or better condition.

Council has engineering guidelines that specify the design and construction methods to make sure they are high quality and meet accessibility requirements.

Developers pay a bond at the start of their works that is released back to them once Council is satisfied that the footpath has been replaced properly. In areas where the existing footpath is older and in need of upgrade, Council may contribute to the replacement and upgrade of the footpath, rather than have the developer replace it to the previous standard.

More broadly, Council maintains approximately 726km of footpaths in the road reserve.

Residential footpaths are inspected every 12 months, while significant footpaths (such as those in commercial areas) are inspected every 6 months. Residents can report issues with footpaths to feed into Council’s maintenance schedule. To report a footpath that is damaged or raised, please fill out the report a raised or damaged footpath form

Council requires developers of large projects in Bayside to contribute to upgrades of community infrastructure.

This includes contributing to the upgrade of the drainage network to accommodate increases in population and housing. The Bayside Drainage Contribution Plan requires developers of multi-dwelling, new commercial and non residential developments to pay a levy towards the cost of upgrades to Bayside’s municipal drainage network.

Developers proposing to subdivide land into three or more lots are required to make a contribution of 5% of the site value as an Open Space Contribution. Council uses these funds to create and upgrade public parks, playgrounds and reserves.

Council also considers the way a proposed development interfaces with surrounding properties, the streetscape and any adjacent open space under the planning scheme. This would form part of Council’s decision to approve or reject an application or recommend amendments to ensure the building complements the local area.

As our population grows, so does the number of vehicles using our roads and streets. This is putting traffic and parking pressure on our residential streets which we know is being acutely experienced in some areas.

Council uses parking restrictions and permits to manage this as best as possible. In areas of concern, Council Officers conduct a Local Area Traffic Management Study to identify what changes may be required to help improve traffic movement and safety. Residents are encouraged to report parking issues to us via our Report a Problem form or 9599 4444.

However, the reality is that as a community we need to change how we move around. Historically our cities were designed to prioritise the car, and as a society we’ve become reliant, but with population growth it’s becoming mathematically impossible to fit more cars in. We need to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport so they become just as easy, efficient and convenient as car travel. Noting that car travel will still be an important part of the mix for certain circumstances.

Council has an Integrated Transport Strategy that covers Bayside’s entire transport system, designed to ensure it is well connected, safe, accessible and convenient. This is supported by a range of other strategies like the Bayside Walking Strategy,  Bicycle Action Plan 2019-26 and the Public Transport Advocacy Statement.

Focussing housing growth in our suburb centres and areas well connected to public transport is also an important part of the strategy.

Council and other levels of government regularly use census and other Australian Bureau of Statistics forecast data to plan future services and facilities to meet the changing needs of the community. The planning and provision of schools is the responsibility of the State Government and Council advocates for improved services/facilities such as school upgrades and transport improvements with the Victorian Government via our local members of Parliament. We do forward plan for services we provide such as Maternal and Child Heath, Kindergarten facilities and local support services for families and young people. This is done through long-term strategies like our Early Years Infrastructure Plan 2018-28 and annual service planning.
 

More people does mean more users of open space and other community facilities like leisure centres, kindergartens and sports pavilions. Council regularly uses census and other Australian Bureau of Statistics forecast data to understand what services and facilities will be needed in the future and plan to ensure these needs are met.

This is done through long-term strategies like our library services strategic plan, sportsground pavilion improvement plan and open space strategy. This feeds into a 10-year long-term capital works program, which is reviewed and reprioritised (if needed) each year through the budget process. You can see all our plans and strategies here.

As space for additional open space and community facilities is limited in Bayside, our focus is on upgrading existing facilities where appropriate and co-locating services and facilities into new flexible, multi-purpose hubs that can accommodate a range of groups and services into the future as community needs change. Council also looks for opportunities to increase the amount of public open space where possible. Some examples include:

• CSIRO site – an additional 4 ha of open space is included in the development at the former CSIRO site in Highett
• Pocket park at 7 Wells Street Brighton. We are designing a pocket park on vacant land in the Church Street shopping precinct in Brighton
• Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve - (the former Elsternwick Public Golf Course is being transformed into a nature reserve with a focus on recreation, environmental conservation and sustainability.
• The proposed Warm Water Pool at Brighton Public Golf Course will create new leisure and rehabilitation facilities for the community

Let’s Talk Planning is an information campaign, not a formal community consultation process.

The purpose of Let’s Talk Planning is to provide clear, factual information and an explanation of key issues relating to growth and change in Bayside. The topics and questions being submitted to us through Let’s Talk Planning are being used to inform what information we provide through the campaign. The aim is to build understanding and help our community know what to expect in their local area in the future, and the things Council is doing to plan for growth.

Over the coming months there are a range of opportunities for the community to provide their input though formal consultation process around the GRZ Character Review, Parking Strategy and the Mid Century Modern Heritage Study. Keep an eye on our social media channels and Have Your Say Page for more details on these opportunities to provide your feedback.

It is extremely important that the community contribute their thoughts through these processes to help shape outcomes in their local area.