Council’s adopted Housing and Settlement Strategy Refresh 2020-36 (Mornington Peninsula, 2020) identifies this land as a place that may be suitable to provide more housing supply to help meet the needs of the Shire’s growing population.
The combined amendment and planning permits are required to allow the land to be developed for more housing than can currently be achieved under the exiting LDRZ. Specifically, the amendment and planning permits are required to facilitate the proposed subdivision and development of the land for conventional and medium density housing and supporting infrastructure, such as new roads, parks and drainage reserves.
The DPO25 is required to ensure that the precinct is properly master planned to:
- deliver new and diverse housing for Mornington that complements the character and diversity of existing neighbourhoods to the west
- respect and enhance the landscaped character along Watt Road and Racecourse Road, and
- minimises potential conflicts between new housing and nearby industrial land uses to the north and south and the Mornington Racecourse the east.
Whilst the amendment includes removing the existing DDO6, key design requirements from this overlay will be incorporated into the new DPO25 to ensure new development respects the valued character of the Mornington North area.
Removing the existing PPRZ from the land allows for the creation of new and more functional areas of public open space for use by future local residents of the precinct.