Height limits over all residentially zoned land

• 2 storey maximum across 78% of the municipality, the Neighbourhood Residential Zone (formerly Minimal Change Areas)
• 3 storey maximum in Neighbourhood Centres and along tram routes
• 4 storey maximum in the 2.2% of Glen Eira residential zones comprising the Urban Villages around the railway stations of Elsternwick, Carnegie and Bentleigh.

The height limits are binding on all parties, including VCAT.

Council has achieved this by specifying mandatory maximum height controls in Schedules to the new residential zones.

Restoring dignity and hope for Sydney’s ‘forgotten people’

A former homeless man has called for more permanent affordable housing to help Sydney’s ‘forgotten people’ reconnect with their families and get their lives back on track, as this week’s annual winter street count found there were 255 people sleeping rough in the city.

These 255 people – a decrease from the 274 people counted in February this year – were sheltering in the city’s streets, parks, public areas and trains, between 1am–3am on Monday night, when temperatures dropped to 11 degrees Celsius.

It’s a way of life 44-year-old David from Woolloomooloo knows only too well, after spending a decade bouncing from boarding house to refuges and rough sleeping on the streets, with the instability creating health problems, stress and major worries for his young daughter.

David’s life was turned around two years ago when he found permanent housing through the City of Sydney and Housing NSW co-funded Way2Home assertive outreach program, which works with housing providers to move people off the streets and into affordable housing using the ‘housing first’ approach.

What makes a healthier Surf Coast?

Surf Coast Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its four-year health and wellbeing plan which includes a range of actions to address issues and build a healthier community.

The plan is based on three priorities – healthy engaged communities, local opportunities and service accessibility.  Feedback on the priorities and the actions in the plan will help Council target resources, plan for services and advocate to state and federal governments on community needs.

All Victorian councils are required to prepare a Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan for 2013-2017. The Surf Coast Shire Draft Health and Wellbeing Plan has been prepared following extensive community and stakeholder consultation and will form part of the G21 Health & Wellbeing Plan. 

Eastern Transport Coalition launches Commuters Count

Eastern suburbs residents can’t wait until 2028 for the missing links in Melbourne’s public transport infrastructure to be delivered, according to the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC).

As the election draws nearer, the ETC is launching a campaign, Commuters Count, to encourage the community to make their voices heard.

ETC chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said the ETC supported the Victorian Government’s plan for expanding and improving the rail network but wanted it delivered quicker than the 15 years stated in the PTV Network Development plan.