Banyule City Council has rejected a permit for an apartment block using one the Victorian Government's Future Homes designs.
The problem is there is nothing to compel Councils to say yes or act reasonably on these proposals. So whilst impacted neighbours can't appeal, Councils don't have to make timely decisions or deliver approval, which means the bulk of such applications can still end up clogging VCAT.
The same thing will apply to yesterday's announced #townhouse provisions, so any time savings are theoretical at best and will rely on a Council's good graces.
I can't see the Minister for Planning or Department of Transport and Planning becoming the Responsible Authority for hundreds of blocks of 3 units or 17 apartments. Can you?
P.S. I think the more surprising thing is that a developer is actually trying to gain approval for one of these designs. Only one building has been delivered since the program was created in 2021.
The apartment developers I've spoken to have been highly dismissive of the Future Homes designs with elements that make them unattractive/unfeasible in most places.