What is a Neighbourhood Character Study?

Last updated on 27 July 2020

Neighbourhood character describes elements of the public and private spaces in residential areas that make one area distinctive from another. All areas have a character that can be identified through an analysis of the built form, vegetation, streetscape and topographical elements that combine to define the overall look and feel of a place.

Through a neighbourhood character study an objective description of a neighbourhood’s existing character is used to develop planning controls and guidelines that ensure new development is sited and designed to respond to the existing or preferred future character of an area.

The draft Neighbourhood Character Study proposes to rezone a number of existing residential areas identified as having capacity for change to the Neighbourhood Residential Zone. This will introduce new development requirements including greater front and side setbacks, landscaping and open space requirements to ensure new development is designed to respond to the preferred future character of these areas.