FAQs

A residential strategy is a high-level strategic document that seeks to facilitate and guide housing growth across a municipality for a specified period (10 plus years).

It identifies locations for new residential development and how growth can be managed to protect valued and unique attributes of a municipality and its neighbourhoods.

It also guides the size and types of homes needed in the future to suit the population. It considers: 

• the impact of new housing on the character of neighbourhoods
• building design and accessibility
• sustainability; and, 
• housing affordability

The State Government requires all councils to prepare, adopt and use a residential strategy. It must meet the requirements of Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 and support the application of residential zones through the Manningham Planning Scheme. A residential strategy also provides a plan for council to assist in responding to population  change and growth and the future housing needs of the community.

Yes, the existing Manningham Residential Strategy was prepared and adopted in 2012. The Strategy has been generally successful in meeting the housing growth objectives for the municipality. In particular, it has been instrumental in directing higher density housing into the preferred locations, which are along main roads and surrounding activity centres.

Whilst the existing strategy was prepared to provide guidance up to 2030, residential zone reforms and new policy settings at the State Government level have come into effect. This has resulted in several inconsistencies between the State and Manningham’s planning policies. 

In addition, the Manningham Liveable City Strategy 2040 was adopted by Council in 2022 as a key municipal-wide document. This includes strategic directions on residential development. 

The 2012 Residential Strategy will be reviewed and revised with consideration of these planning directions and feedback received as part of the engagement during the preparation of the new Manningham Residential Strategy.

We need to carefully consider where additional housing growth can best be accommodated to protect Manningham’s existing liveability, affordability, community diversity and accessibility to different forms of housing.

The Residential Strategy will identify:

• current and future housing needs and will be an important tool to respond to changing community needs including housing types
• the best locations to accommodate future housing growth, considering public transport and services accessibility, as well as development constraints (i.e. heritage and special character)
• opportunities to link expected housing growth with increased community infrastructure needs – thereby enabling council to plan and advocate for those needs

While Council cannot directly influence population growth, we have an important role in planning for our current and future community. 

The Residential Strategy will have limited influence on the following:

• population growth 
• prohibiting residential development from occurring particularly where it aligns with state government policy such as directing growth along main roads and around activity centres

The Residential Strategy will also not result in immediate changes to the zoning of land or change current planning controls (any changes will be subject to further, more detailed work involving additional community engagement).

The first stage of preparing the new Residential Strategy involves the preparation of the Residential Discussion Paper. The Discussion Paper will form the basis for community consultation occurring in April/May 2024.  

The Discussion Paper provides a contemporary view of the Manningham population and housing demand now and into the future and the existing neighbourhood character of Manningham and provides an opportunity for Manningham residents to assess issues related to residential development and to identify any additional matters important to the community. Feedback on the issues raised in the Discussion Paper will help to inform the preparation of the revised Residential Strategy Refresh for Manningham. 

Council will be seeking community feedback via a survey on a range of housing matters, including the existing and future housing needs of the Manningham community. 

These insights will help inform the preparation of the updated Residential Strategy.  

This phase of the Residential Strategy project is not seeking to introduce any changes to current planning controls or policy as they currently apply to residential land across Manningham.

Two pieces of work underpin the preparation of the Residential Discussion Paper.  

1. Neighbourhood Character Study: The Neighbourhood Character Study assesses the existing neighbourhood character of the whole of Manningham and defines the different neighbourhood character precincts. The second stage of this study (2025) will be to identify preferred character statements for these areas that outline how we wish to see these areas develop in the future.  
2. Housing Demand analysis: The Housing Demand analysis will interrogate demographic trends and data relating to population and housing statistics. It will also identify how much and what types of housing will be required to meet the needs of future populations. In the second stage of the study (2025), it will identify where capacity exists within the municipality to accommodate this demand.

For now, the existing planning controls in the Manningham Planning Scheme will continue to apply in the consideration of permit applications for residential development across Manningham.

In a later stage of this project, these existing planning provisions will be reviewed. We will determine how our planning controls need to be improved to reflect objectives of the new Manningham Residential Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study. 

Any changes to the Manningham Planning Scheme would aim to provide clearer directions to both developers and Council. This would result in improved decision making on planning applications, including improved VCAT outcomes.

Any amendment to the Manningham Planning Scheme would be subject to a resolution of Council and the proposed changes to the planning controls would also be subject to community consultation. This would form part of separate reports to Council.

The Manningham Residential Strategy applies to all residential land which is within our residential zones. This includes the General Residential Zone, Low Density Residential Zone, Neighbourhood Residential Zone and Residential Growth Zone. The Residential Strategy also applies to the Rural Conservation Zone within the Green Wedge.

Neighbourhood character refers to the visual characteristics of a residential area, consisting of key attributes from both the public and private realms. These features may include: 

• vegetation
• topography
• streetscape
• building styles
• spaces between buildings 
• colours
• materials.

The Neighbourhood Character Study involves assessing the existing residential neighbourhoods. It identifies character precincts that best describe the character of the municipality (maximum 10 precincts).  

It also includes the preparation of preferred character statements. These outline where the existing character should be respected, or define a preferred new character. The preferred character statements for each neighbourhood should be considered when identifying housing change areas in the municipality. 

Design guidelines then describe how developments can achieve this. 

Good design comes in many forms and is based on more than the appearance and performance of a building. In a residential context there are some common attributes, , that inform our understanding of what makes a design ‘good’. 

This includes a dwelling’s liveability, sustainability, relationship to the street, and being of a quality architectural form that will stand the test of time. As well as ensuring homes are enjoyable and comfortable to live in, good design contributes to our neighbourhoods and communities’ sense of place and identity.

As the Office of the Victorian Government Architect states:

“Homes and neighbourhoods that are well designed offer greater comfort, more enjoyable spaces and contribute to a vibrant community. Whether they are single houses or apartments, good design can instil a sense of joy and pride in the residents. Well-designed housing is proven to be essential in creating successful and supportive communities.”

In order for a dwelling to be affordable (either mortgaged or rental), it should only use up to 30 per cent of the household income.

It is important to address housing affordability issues to meet the needs of everyone in our community. This includes those who want to age-in-place, essential workers who want to live near their workplace and young people, who need access to jobs and public transport.