We understand that the change in nomenclature in the Planning & Design Code from Residential Zones to Neighbourhood Zones is intended to reflect a desire for more mixed use in residential areas. For example, Desired Outcome 1 of the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone seeks in part “… Services and community facilities contribute to making the neighbourhood a convenient place to live without compromising residential amenity and character”. Cafes, consulting rooms and small offices are examples of non-residential uses that can enhance neighbourhoods.
Running small businesses can be tough. Through Covid-19 it has become even tougher for many. This causes us to think whether the planning system is doing all that it can to support small businesses.
For example, the Planning Development & Infrastructure Act (Section 4) states that existing use rights cease if the existing use stops for more than 12 months. What is less clear is why this is necessary?
If a small business has been closed for, say, 15 months in recent years, do we really want to make them go through the development approval process?
We are not convinced that the ambitions of Neighbourhood Zones are particularly well supported by this part of the legislation.
Image credit – Jem Lang