2017-04-11 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 Housing Needs Assessment

Small Dwellings

Multiple housing (to be known as ‘Multiple Dwelling32’ under QPP) means the use of premises for two or
more dwelling units or accommodation units as the case may be, occupied by permanent or semi-permanent
residents, where the occupants may share common facilities on the site.

Type 4 Conventional Means the use of premises for dwelling units that do not fall within Multiple Housing
Types 2, 3, or 5. The use includes units, townhouses, flats, apartments, villas and small dwelling units.

Small dwelling unit means a dwelling unit containing no more than 2 bedrooms, no study, media room or
other rooms capable of being used as a bedroom, and has no more than 90m2 of gross floor area.

Multiple Housing Type 4 is always consistent in the Attached Housing Zone.

In Business Centre Zones, however, Multiple Housing Type 4 Conventional is ONLY consistent where small
dwelling units and part of a mixed use development.

Small dwellings require less carparking and less private open space (a balcony not less than 1.5m depth and
with a minimum area of 4m2 as opposed to a minimum area of 12m2, with minimum dimensions of 2.5m)



Despite the fact that concessions in relation to parking and private open space were made
available for small dwellings, the uptake has been very limited. It appears that the principal
reasons for this are severalfold:

         There has been limited uptake of any unit development in available Attached Housing
          zones;
         Given the size of properties it is financially and practically unviable with the current
          planning parameters in Business Centre Zones to undertake redevelopment which might
          include small dwellings or ‘shop top housing’;
         The cost of the land, especially if a house needs to be demolished, appears to demand
          larger, more expensive dwelling units;
         There appears a distinct lack of awareness of the provision for small dwellings among
          developers and real estate agents.

Recommended actions which could be considered to increase the uptake of the small dwelling
provisions and to increase densities on appropriate sites, include the following.


     Recommended Actions for Consideration:

       20. The need for small dwellings and the opportunities and benefits for providing them under the
           small dwelling provisions of the Planning Scheme be publicised through a Fact Sheet released for
           industry, and accompanying publicity.

       21. Review of the parameters for development in key (Business Centre) Zones which would be
           suitable for small dwelling residential accommodation be undertaken, and it be ensured that




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     Multiple Dwelling will be defined as Premises containing three or more dwellings for separate households,
e.g. apartments, flats, units, townhouses, row housing, triplex, but excluding rooming accommodation, dual
occupancy, duplex, granny flat, residential care facility, retirement facility




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