54.03-5 Energy efficiency protection objectives
To achieve and protect energy efficient dwellings. To ensure the orientation and layout of development reduce fossil fuel energy use and make appropriate use of daylight and solar energy.

Standard A7
Buildings should be:

• Oriented to make appropriate use of solar energy.
• Sited and designed to ensure that the energy efficiency of existing dwellings on adjoining lots is not unreasonably reduced.
• Living areas and private open space should be located on the north side of the dwelling, if practicable.
• Dwellings should be designed so that solar access to north-facing windows is maximised.

Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• The design response.
• The size, orientation and slope of the lot.
• The existing amount of solar access to abutting properties.
• The availability of solar access to north-facing windows on the site.

54.03-6 Significant trees objectives
To encourage development that respects the landscape character of the neighbourhood. To encourage the retention of significant trees on the site.

Standard A8

• Development should provide for the retention or planting of trees, where these are part of the neighbourhood character.
• Development should provide for the replacement of any significant trees that have been removed in the 12 months prior to the application being made.

Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• Any relevant neighbourhood character objective, policy or statement set out in this scheme.
• The design response.
• The health of any trees that were removed or are proposed to be removed.
• Whether a tree was removed to gain a development advantage.

54.05-1 Daylight to new windows objective
To allow adequate daylight into new habitable room windows.

Standard A16
A window in a habitable room should be located to face:

• An outdoor space clear to the sky or a light court with a minimum area of 3 square metres and minimum dimension of 1 metre clear to the sky, not including land on an abutting lot, or
• A verandah provided it is open for at least one third of its perimeter, or
• A carport provided it has two or more open sides and is open for at least one third of its perimeter.

Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• The design response.
• Whether there are other windows in the habitable room which have access to daylight.

54.05-2 Private open space objective
To provide adequate private open space for the reasonable recreation and service needs of residents.

Standard A17

• A dwelling should have private open space of an area and dimensions specified in a schedule to the zone.
• If no area or dimensions is specified in a schedule to the zone, a dwelling should have private open space consisting of an area of 80 square metres or 20 per cent of the area of the lot, whichever is the lesser, but not less than 40 square metres. At least one part of the private open space should consist of secluded private open space with a minimum area of 25 square metres and a minimum dimension of 3 metres at the side or rear of the dwelling with convenient access from a living room.

Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• The design response.
• The useability of the private open space, including its size and accessibility.
• The availability of and access to public open space.
• The orientation of the lot to the street and the sun.

54.05-3 Solar access to open space objective
To allow solar access into the secluded private open space of a new dwelling.

Standard A18
The private open space should be located on the north side of the dwelling, if practicable.

The southern boundary of secluded private open space should be set back from any wall on the north of the space at least (2 + 0.9h) metres, where ‘h’ is the height of the wall.

View Diagram A5 Solar access to open space

Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• The design response.
• The useability and amenity of the secluded private open space based on the sunlight it will receive.

54.06-1 Design detail objective
To encourage design detail that respects the existing or preferred neighbourhood character.

Standard A19
The design of buildings, including:

• Facade articulation and detailing,
• Window and door proportions,
• Roof form, and
• Verandahs, eaves and parapets,

should respect the existing or preferred neighbourhood character.

Garages and carports should be visually compatible with the development and the existing or preferred neighbourhood character.

Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider:

• Any relevant neighbourhood character objective, policy or statement set out in this scheme.
• The design response.
• The effect on the visual bulk of the building and whether this is acceptable in the neighbourhood setting.
• Whether the design is innovative and of a high architectural standard

 Derived from Victoria Planning Provisions by the Department of Transport and Planning