Rye Urban Design Guidelines
What is this project about?
Mornington Peninsula Shire has conducted a review of the exiting built form character within the Rye commercial centre and has developed and adopted the Rye Urban Design Guidelines; to provide clear design guidance for future development of private land within the Rye commercial core.
The guidelines protect the low scale coastal character of Rye and result in stronger building design controls for the township’s commercial centre, such as heights, setbacks, materials and other design details.
As set out in Council’s Rye Township Plan, this is part of our broader strategy to support future design and development in the area, while looking after Rye’s existing culture and environmental identity.
Residents and businesses were invited to have a say on Mornington Peninsula Shire’s the Rye Urban Design Guidelines. Following the consultation period, the Rye Urban Design Guidelines were adopted by Council at the Planning Services Committee Meeting on 20 July 2020.
Why is this project needed?
Rye is classified as a ‘Large Township’ within the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s hierarchy of town centres. The town will accommodate considerable growth over the coming years and the valued characteristics and ‘charm’ of Rye should not be lost as the township continues to grow.
At present, there are no specific planning controls for the commercial centre of Rye. This means that the township is susceptible to inappropriate development and there isn’t a clear guide on what the preferred built form outcomes should be.
The Rye Urban Design Guidelines have resolved this issue and have been prepared to ensure that the low scale character of the town centre is retained. A 3-storey maximum building height is adopted throughout the centre, with design guidance around materials, setbacks and activated frontages – amongst others.
The next step is the preparation of a Planning Scheme Amendment which will implement the guidelines into the Planning Scheme, so that have statutory . This process has commenced (on 17 August 2020) and is currently within the Minister for Planning for Authorisation.
REALM Studios review
At the Planning Services Committee meeting on 20 July 2020, Council also adopted the Rye Urban Design Guidelines Review by REALM studios which is to be read in conjunction with the Rye Township Plan.
This Review was undertaken as part of the finalisation of the Rye Urban Design Guidelines to further explore whether 4 storeys was appropriate for the Rye Township.
This Review was considered (along with all public submissions) in the preparation of the final Rye Urban Design Guidelines.
Relevant Documents
Rye Urban Design Guidelines
Rye Urban Design Guidelines Review by Realm Studios