Creating homes with healthier and more comfortable design and living features, like sustainability attributes and gardens big enough to accommodate trees, are the focus of proposed changes to planning policies at the City of Cockburn.
The City is proposing to update its Town Planning Scheme and change its planning policy to promote the creation of more liveable suburbs.
The community is invited to comment on the proposals via a survey at Comment on Cockburn, until 9 April.
City of Cockburn Strategic Planning Manager Rachel Pleasant said the proposed changes would only affect new grouped dwelling proposals including units and villas, but not apartments or single homes.
Ms Pleasant said the proposed changes responded to community feedback gathered in recent years, including input from the City’s revitalisation strategies, community surveys and a growing community desire for more trees in neighbourhoods.
“The proposed changes promote healthier, more comfortable homes and sustainability features like better natural light and ventilation to improve comfort, and reduce heating and cooling costs,” Ms Pleasant said.
“The City hopes new development in Cockburn will have a positive impact on the local community including residential developments that complement the unique character of neighbourhoods.
“Positive impacts will ideally fulfil a desire for more trees, which aligns with the City’s Urban Forest Plan to add 15,000 more trees to Cockburn by 2028.
“We hope our approach provides a case study for the State Government to draw upon while developing the emerging changes to policy for medium density homes including grouped dwellings.”
Examples of changes include:
- Garden areas of at least 9sqm to accommodate a small tree to help reduce the urban heat island effect,
- More attractive frontages and driveways,
- The inclusion of sustainability principles like solar orientation, and
- Home design layouts that encourage better functionality for households, including guidance for minimum room dimensions.
In late 2019, Cockburn Council agreed to the proposed changes being advertised in order to obtain community and stakeholder feedback.
Following advertising, the City will consider all community feedback and present a further report to Council.
Have your say on these proposed changes at
Comment on Cockburn by 9 April by clicking on the heading:
Better Neighbourhoods, Better Homes (TPS No. 3 Scheme Amendment No.149 and the Local Planning Policy 1.2 Residential Design Guidelines).
For more information, arrange to speak with a Planning Team member at the City’s Administration office weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm by calling 08 9411 3444.
Comment on Cockburn is where you can have your say on a range of projects and important issues in your City. Visit Comment on Cockburn to get involved with decision-making in your neighbourhood.