FAQs

Mirvac has purchased the Eastern Golf Course site and is proposing to build a residential development of between 790 to 1005 properties, with just over 20 per cent of the existing site being set aside as public open space.

The main entry to the new development will be via traffic lights from Doncaster Road, with smaller access roads being built at Link Street (Fairway Road), Somerville Street and Burgundy Drive.

Walking and cycling paths are proposed to provide linkages to adjoining public open space, nearby shops and other facilities. Mirvac has prepared a Development Plan which shows what the development may look like. This is now open for public comment.

The Development Plan for the site provides a variety of housing types, the majority of  which is proposed to be detached, semi-detached  and terrace-style homes. Apartments are proposed along the Doncaster Road frontage of the site.

While these buildings have heritage value and are proposed to remain on site, no use for either building has been identified at this stage.

The Eastern Golf Course was a private facility with access limited to members only. The new development will have just over 20 per cent public open space which can be accessed by all members of the community. A large section of the open space is also proposed to be used for the protection of significant native vegetation.

As part of any development, tree removal and earthworks will be required. In the open space proposed, significant native vegetation will be retained and protected, with additional plantings provided. Trees will also be planted along the new streets created in the development.

Mirvac completed a Traffic Management Study as part of its proposed Development Plan. The Plan indicates that while there will be an increase in traffic, it is anticipated that the majority of residents will use the main access road onto Doncaster Road. The site has been designed to take into account the traffic implications on current residents and while some new access roads will be constructed it is anticipated that these routes will be secondary.

The majority of the site adjoins residential areas (Residential 3 Zones), except for land to the east as shown on the zoning map below.

The proposed development ensures that the new properties will be located a specific distance back from existing homes located within a Residential 3 Zone. This distance is called ‘setback’. The setbacks proposed are:

• At the ground level there will be five metres from existing homes to new properties
• At the first or second level there will be eight metres from existing homes to new properties.

Mirvac will be developing the site for residential purposes. Purchasers will have the opportunity to select Mirvac dwellings, or purchase a vacant land allotment and select their preferred builder.

Mirvac will apply Urban Design Guidelines to the site to inform dwelling design, siting and aesthetics, and to ensure all dwellings are consistent with Mirvac’s overall vision for the project.

Mirvac anticipates the commencement of civil construction works in mid-late 2015.

Mirvac anticipates that development of the entire site will take between 6 – 8 years, and will be dependent on market conditions throughout the life of the development.

Copies of Amendment C101 and the proposed Development Plan can also be viewed at: Manningham City Council Offices, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, and at the following libraries:

You can also obtain a CD, free of charge, with details about the Amendment and proposed Development Plan by contacting Strategic Planning on 9840 9129, or via email on eepadmain@manningham.vic.gov.au

All land in Victoria is located within a zone which specifies particular purposes, such as business, industrial or residential. They are established by the State Government and identify which uses can be undertaken on which land, as well as controls relating to buildings and subdivision. The Manningham Planning Scheme is the document where you can find what zones apply within Manningham.

A planning scheme amendment is a change to a municipal planning scheme, in this case the Manningham Planning Scheme. The process that must be followed is set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Mirvac has requested a change to the planning controls that apply to the Eastern Golf Course land so that the proposed development can be considered. This change is known as Amendment C101.

The primary objective of the Residential Growth Zone is ‘to provide housing at increased densities in buildings up to and including four storey buildings.’ 

The Zone includes a height limit of 13.5 metres, however this can be changed through the Amendment process.

Whilst higher buildings are planned along the Doncaster Road frontage, having 13.5 metre high buildings in other locations on the site is not considered appropriate. Amendment C101 includes Schedule 1 to the Residential Growth Zone that identifies a maximum building height of 11 metres (two to three storeys) for land other than the Doncaster Road frontage of the site. The Schedule has been worded to achieve this outcome.

An overlay is an additional control to the requirements of a zone. Generally, overlays apply to a single issue or related set of issues (such as heritage, environmental or flooding).

A Development Plan Overlay requires the preparation of development plan which is similar to a masterplan. It must be prepared prior to any planning permits being considered.  The Plan shows how the site could be developed.

These overlays are being changed to more accurately reflect the level of control that is required. The extent of the proposed Heritage Overlay which currently applies to the whole site is proposed to be reduced to the areas around ‘Tullamore’, the stables, and three nearby trees of identified heritage significance. It is proposed that the Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO5) be changed to exempt the requirement for a planning permit to remove specified Victorian native vegetation

An independent Panel is appointed by the Minister for Planning. The panel includes experienced planners and other professionals with skills relevant to a particular amendment.  Its main role is to review the submissions and provide advice to Council and the Minister about the amendment and the submissions referred to it. 

Submitters will also be given the option to present at a panel hearing if they wish.

An Advisory Committee considers specific development proposals. In relation to Amendment C101, there will be a joint Panel and Advisory Committee to consider the submissions that relate to the Amendment and those that relate to the proposed Development Plan.

A planning scheme amendment is a change to a municipal planning scheme, in this case the Manningham Planning Scheme. Mirvac has requested a change to the existing planning controls that apply to the Eastern Golf Course site so that the proposed development can be considered. This change is known as Amendment C101.

Amendment C101 proposes to:

1. Rezone the site from a Residential 3 Zone to the Residential Growth Zone, which is one of the new residential zones recently introduced into all Victorian Planning Schemes by the State Government. The proposed (Schedule 1) to the Residential Growth Zone would restrict buildings with a higher height, such as apartment development, to the land along the Doncaster Road frontage.
2. Reduce the extent of the existing Heritage Overlay which currently covers the whole site to the area around ‘Tullamore’, the stables, and three nearby trees of identified heritage significance.
3. Change the (Schedule 5) to the Environmental Significance Overlay, to exempt the requirement for a planning permit to remove specified Victorian native vegetation.
4. Delete the Design and Development Overlay (Schedule 1) which currently applies along the frontage of the site. This overlay requires a five metre building setback from Doncaster Road and landscaping to achieve a boulevard character. These provisions have been included in the proposed Development Plan.
5. Apply a Development Plan Overlay and a site specific (Schedule 3) to the site, which requires a development plan to be prepared to Council’s satisfaction before a planning permit can be granted for the subdivision, use or development of the site.