BALLARAT City Council has welcomed state government changes to residential zones which will pave the way for high density housing around the city’s central business district.
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Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced on Tuesday that the state government would move forward with the new residential zones aimed at guiding future housing developments in Ballarat.
The city’s general manager of city strategy Natalie Reiter said maps detailing the precise extent of the new zones will be made available in the coming months.
The areas highlighted for residential growth include streets close to the CBD and the Wendouree Activity Centre. Under the changes, these areas will be rezoned as Residential Growth Zones.
“This will support the growth and development of these important centres while enabling housing diversity and choice in Ballarat,” Ms Reiter said.
She said the changes will not impact other residential zones, with more than 95 per cent of residential properties in Ballarat remaining in the current General Residential Zone.
As well as rezoning sections of the city, environmentally sensitive areas were earmarked to be protected from inappropriate development.
Ms Reiter said any heritage controls that apply to residential properties will be unaffected by the new zones and any existing heritage overlays and related controls continued to apply.
The approval of the new residential zones followed an extensive public consultation process with recommendations gathered from the Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee.
melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au