Bass Coast’s 7-metre ‘rule’ is only a ‘trigger’

IT’S been a mainstay of the building code in Bass Coast forever, the seven-metre height rule on new dwellings, across the shire.

Many of those who’ve tested the boundaries between 7 metres and 11 metres in the past have been forced to VCAT to pursue their preferred design or had to make unwanted alterations to appease council’s 7-metre desires.

However, at last week’s council meeting, the 7-metre “rule” was described simply as a “trigger” for council to take a closer look at the application, rather than being hard and fast.

It was in relation to the application for a new two-storey home on The Esplanade at Cape Woolamai, replacing an older beach shack on the site which council ultimately passed unanimously.

Cr Bruce Kent said the plans called for a house that was 8.3 metres in height, above the shire’s 7-metre setting, but, after careful consideration, he believed it fitted in well on the location.

Cr Rochelle Halstead said the shire’s 7-metre rule had done its job and triggered a closer look by council.

“I agree that it’s in a location where the height can be accommodated and I’m pleased that the property is set back and using pretty much the same footprint, maybe slightly larger, than the house that is already there,” said Cr Halstead.

“I do get the concern of community around the 7-metre rule but again, I would reiterate that it is a trigger.

“It’s not saying that someone can’t build any higher than seven metres, in fact, applicants are able to go to 11 metres. So, I think that everything else fits within the planning regulations and therefore I will be supporting the application.”

So, it’s a “trigger” not a “rule”, which stands to reason as the State’s building code for new dwellings in the General Residential Zone (GRZ) sets an 11 metre and three-story limit as the default.

Therefore expect to see more of these sorts of applications coming forward in Bass Coast, especially as old-style houses are replaced, and infill continues.

Strangely enough, there was no comment around the council table at all last week about removal of three trees on the subject site to accommodate the new development.