The Victorian Planning System has created an environment that seeks acceptable rather than excellent planning and design outcomes.

The Scorecard seeks to establish an aspirational benchmark for design quality, rather than accept a minimum standard.

Since the trial commenced in February 2019, four planning permits have been issued for developments that have achieved Scorecard compliance. However, the Scorecard has also helped to influence better quality development even where Scorecard compliance cannot be achieved.

We will evaluate the outcomes of the Trial and any feedback received. If deemed successful, the Scorecard may be implemented on a permanent basis, which would be considered at an upcoming Council meeting.

There are a number of incentives for participants to meet the requirements of the Scorecard. These include enhanced support and customer service through the application process, as well as a ‘Scorecard logo’ that can be used as part of promotional material.

Compliance with the Design Excellence Scorecard also means that a decision will always be made by Council officers. This provides greater confidence for developers that the increased investment in a better-quality development will not then be subject to the potential uncertainty of a Council meeting. Without this level of certainty of advice and process, the Scorecard may have limited take-up.

The Scorecard seeks to achieve outcomes that exceed the minimum benchmarks set by the Victorian Planning System.

Architectural quality, accessibility and Environmentally Sustainable Design credentials are all improved.

The other key requirement of the Scorecard is that developments must provide a ‘community benefit’. This will differ for different applications, depending on their scale. However, some of the community benefits from Scorecard compliant developments during the Trial period include:

• Upgrades to public footpaths, including additional tree planting.
• A new commercial space that will be made available to a local not-for-profit organisation or other social enterprise.
• A 100% affordable housing development.
• Provision of a new public pedestrian connection between Sydney Road and the Upfield Bike Path.

A development must always satisfy the objectives of the Moreland Planning Scheme. Sometimes, competing objectives must be balanced in favour of net community benefit. A proposal must also meet the mandatory requirements of the Planning Scheme, which are mostly in the residentially zoned land and applicable to townhouse/multi-unit developments.

Compliance with the Design Excellence Scorecard is not used as a tool to gain additional height or yield at the expense of Planning Scheme objectives. A development must still satisfy the objectives of the Planning Scheme.

The voluntary Scorecard process does not change the public notification requirement of the planning process. Public consultation remains an important part of the planning process to contribute to high quality and inclusive decision-making.

Planning officers will continue to consider objections as part of the planning permit process. The circumstances of when a Planning Information and Discussion meeting (PIDs) to facilitate discussions between Council, objectors and applicants remain the same and are unaffected by the Scorecard.

Applications are also still subject to third party appeal rights, and decisions may be reviewed at VCAT.