The City of Mitcham has updated its Development Plan to create opportunities for investment, growth and change in four key precincts as we work towards achieving the Spatial Vision for the City of Mitcham.

Planning zones and policies in four key precincts have been amended to facilitate and inspire new possibilities for investment, growth and change within the City of Mitcham.  The four key precincts include:-

• Goodwood & Daws Roads Precinct;
• Blackwood Centre Precinct;
• Belair Road Centre Precinct;
• Goodwood & Cross Roads Precinct.

Spatial Vision for the City of Mitcham

• During 2017-18 Council consulted with the community on the preparation of a Spatial Vision for the City of Mitcham and Key Precinct Structure Plans.
• Key aspects of the Spatial Vision include identification of areas where growth should occur and where character should be protected.
• In relation to growth and development intensification, Precinct Structure Plans were developed collaboratively with the community and resulted in five key growth precincts proposed for policy reform.

Amending the Development Plan

• Implementing the Spatial Vision means amending policies which control and influence development within these growth precincts.
• In February 2019, Council commenced the Growth Precincts Development Plan Amendment (DPA).
• Consultation on the DPA was undertaken over an eight-week period in October / November 2019, with more than 250 submissions received.
• Following consultation, the DPA was amended to respond to key concerns raised (see below) before being lodged for approval by the Minister for Planning.
• The DPA was then approved and gazetted on 20 August 2020.

Consultation – key issues and changes to the DPA

During the consultation period, Council received 256 public submissions.  Key issues arising from the consultation process and the response and subsequent changes to the DPA include:

Minimum Allotment Sizes

• Concern was raised with the minimum allotment size of 250sqm in the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone across all four precincts.
• In response, Council increased the minimum allotment size to 300sqm, other than in the Blackwood Centre Precinct, where it was increased to 350sqm.  
  
  The allotment size of 350sqm within the Blackwood Centre precinct was considered appropriate given the topography and bushfire risks within this area.

Bushfire Risk

• Concern was raised with regard to increased densities in the Blackwood Precinct given bushfire risks, topography and existing road/traffic conditions.
• In response, the minimum lot size was increased (as noted above) and the extent of areas affected by the DPA were reduced.  Neighbourhood Building heights were also reduced from four storeys to three and the building envelope plane reduced from 45 degrees to 30 degrees.

Impacts on Amenity

• Concern was raised that higher density development will impact on trees and landscaping, traffic and parking, and on the character of existing residential areas.
• In response, Council increased minimum allotment sizes (as noted above) and reduced the building height from three storeys to two storeys in the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone.
• Additionally, the building envelope plane was reduced from 45 degrees to 30 degrees to address concerns about the interface between residential areas and the Urban Corridor and Mixed Use Zones.
• Provisions were introduced to retain space for existing and provide new vegetation including tall trees with large canopies.
• The DPA also introduced provisions regarding the avoidance of stark or highly reflective colours and materials.

Building Height

• Concern was raised that the proposed building height limit of four storeys in the Urban Corridor Zone and the Mixed Use Zone would adversely impact on adjacent lower density residential areas in terms of visual and privacy impacts and potential overshadowing.
• As noted above, the building envelope plane was reduced from 45 degrees to 30 degrees to address concerns about the interface between residential areas and the Urban Corridor and Mixed Use Zones.
• The building height in the Mixed Use Zone in the Blackwood Precinct was reduced from four storeys to three storeys.

Zone Boundary Extent

• Subsequent to feedback received, a number of zone boundary adjustments were undertaken.  Please refer to the associated precinct zone maps to see where the DPA zones apply.

Growth Precincts – New Zoning

Goodwood & Cross Roads Precinct

• Click here for maps showing “before and after” zoning for the precinct to demonstrate where zones have changed.
• Click here for a snapshot comparison between former and new zoning within the precinct.

Belair Road Centre Precinct

• Click here for maps showing “before and after” zoning for the precinct to demonstrate where zones have changed.
• Click here for a snapshot comparison between former and new zoning within the precinct.

Goodwood & Daws Roads Precinct

• Click here for maps showing “before and after” zoning for the precinct to demonstrate where zones have changed.
• Click here for a snapshot comparison between former and new zoning within the precinct.

Blackwood Centre Precinct

• Click here for maps showing “before and after” zoning for the precinct to demonstrate where zones have changed.
• Click here for a snapshot comparison between former and new zoning within the precinct.

Planning and Design Code

• The Growth Precincts DPA has placed the City of Mitcham in a strong position to facilitate a smooth transition to the new Planning and Design Code (due to be fully implemented in early 2021).
• We are working closely with PlanSA to identify the best transition zones as we move to the new system.
• On face value, the proposed draft Planning and Design Code transition zones appear to have similar overarching intents as the newly updated Development Plan zones.

Key Dates

Document Library

Council would like to thank all of our community members who participated in the development of the Growth Precincts DPA.

Questions?

If you have any questions about information on this page, please contact us on 8372 8888 or email mitcham@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au with ‘Growth Precincts DPA’ written in the subject line.