Question details
Morwell electorate
(936) My question is for the Minister for Planning, and the question I ask is: why is there no requirement in clause 52.23 of the Latrobe planning scheme for developers to consult or at the very least notify neighbouring properties and communities about the development of rooming houses? My office has received many calls and emails from people concerned about the development of rooming houses near their homes. Under the current scheme developers are not even required to notify community about the development of rooming houses if they meet certain conditions. In the absence of clear communication, misinformation and rumours run riot, and all this does is create anxiety in the community. In one instance a rooming house is being built across the road from a playgroup, which has caused concern among parents, facilitators and local police. Minister, surely at the very least our communities have the right to be notified of a rooming house being developed. Why is there no requirement in clause 52.23 of the Latrobe planning scheme for developers to consult?
I thank the Member for Morwell for his question.
The provisions of Clause 52.23 apply across Victoria to facilitate the delivery of small scale rooming houses. The exemption from a planning permit is not universal and certain conditions must be met, including limits on the size, number of people accommodated and number of bedrooms. Compliance with these requirements is assessed by local councils as the responsible authority for administering the planning scheme.
Rooming houses are an important part of the housing continuum that provides lower cost housing to members of the community who need it. Rooming houses form a small but crucial role in meeting Victoria's housing demand.
Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP
Minister for Planning