Aged care developers will now be able to build up to five storeys in even heavily protected residential areas – under the previous laws, it was just two storeys in the most restricted areas.
Developers can also cover up to 80% of a site, up from 60%, while the requirement to have screening up to 1.7 metres on any windows that overlooked neighbouring buildings has been dropped to 1.2 metres to provide residents with more light – recognising that most spend their time sitting down or in bed.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne says the new rules, which were approved in September but only passed last month, have been made in response to a looming shortage of aged care beds in Victoria.
By 2050, the State Government predicts 27% of Victorians will be aged over 60 and live in Melbourne’s middle and outer suburban areas.
“We’ve listened to the [aged care] sector, who say they can offer better care at better value if they can make better use of land,” he said.
