A Housing Strategy is a Council’s long-term plan to manage future housing growth and change so that it best meets the ongoing needs of the community. It allows Council to plan for the future. A Housing Strategy should show the locations for new residential development and identify how new development can be managed to protect valued and unique attributes of the municipality and its neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood character is the look and feel of a place. It is the combination of unique features that make one place different from the next. These features may include vegetation, topography, streetscape, building styles, the spaces between buildings, colours and materials. Some features are more important than others in creating this distinctive character.

The Neighbourhood Character Strategy involves assessing the existing residential neighbourhoods and preparing preferred character statements that outline whether it is the existing character that should be respected, or a defined preferred new character. Design guidelines then describe how developments can achieve this. The preferred character statements for each neighbourhood should be considered when identifying housing change areas in the municipality. This strategy should be prepared alongside the Housing Strategy.

Good design comes in many forms and is based on more than the appearance of a building. There are some common attributes, in a residential context, that informs our understanding of what makes a design ‘good’. This includes a dwelling’s liveability, sustainability, relationship to the street, and being of a quality architectural form that will stand the test of time. As well as ensuring homes are enjoyable and comfortable to live in, good design contributes to our neighbourhoods and communities’ sense of place and identity.

As the Office of the Victorian Government Architect states:

Homes and neighbourhoods that are well designed offer greater comfort, more enjoyable spaces and contribute to a vibrant community. Whether they are single houses or apartments, good design can instill a sense of joy and pride in the residents. Well-designed housing is proven to be essential in creating successful and supportive communities.

How we define and achieve ‘good’ design outcomes for Banyule will be a central theme to both our housing and neighbourhood character strategies.

In order for a dwelling to be affordable (either mortgaged or rental) it should only use up to 30% of the household income.

Currently in Banyule there is very limited opportunities for people who fall within the moderate (40-60% of Victoria’s income distribution), low (20-40% of Victoria’s income distribution) or very-low (0-20% of Victoria’s income distribution) to buy or rent. These income distribution brackets make up about 45% of Banyule’s households currently, which indicates that many of Banyule’s current residents may be living with housing stress.

This is due to the fact that over the last few decades, the difference between average household income and average house prices (to either rent or buy) has increased.

It is important to address housing affordability issues to meet the needs of everyone in our community including those who want to age-in-place, essential workers who want to live near their workplace and young people who need access to jobs and public transport.

Universal design or accessible design focuses on making a home that is safe and useable for everyone regardless of age or physical ability.

Examples of universal design features include making the doorway and hallway wide enough for wheelchairs; no steps in the entry; bedroom, bathroom and a place to eat on the ground level; non-slip flooring.