Open Pastures Landscape Character Area

Nillumbik Planning Scheme

Schedule 8 To The Significant Landscape Overlay

Shown on the planning scheme map as SLO8

Open Pastures Landscape Character Area

1  Statement of nature and key elements of landscape

The Open Pastures Character Area comprises flat to gently rolling agricultural pastures adjoining the north-eastern fringe of the Metropolitan Urban Growth Boundary. The area has been substantially cleared for pasture, with occasional remnant native trees and mature exotic shelter belts throughout. Within paddocks, scattered agricultural buildings provide a contrast with the broad acres of open pasture. Open rolling topography and sparse vegetation affords excellent outviews, particularly towards the Kinglake National Park, which forms a dominant landscape backdrop to the north. The area is characterised by an overall sense of openness, where the absence of buildings provides a sharp contrast to the adjoining urban residential land to the west.

Future Character Statement

The character and diversity of the Open Pastures Character Area will be maintained by encouraging the continuation of agricultural and grazing activities, while improving the native vegetation linkages through plantings in paddocks and along watercourses. The area will retain its scenic, rural aspect with views to distant ranges a key feature when viewed from roads and other publicly accessible vantage points.

The pastures will continue to be characterised by a sense of openness, with low scale built form integrated with existing vegetation where it occurs. The presence of built form along roads will be avoided. Viewlines to visible hill faces and ridgelines will be protected, with low scale development maintaining views to the mountain backdrop.

2  Landscape character objective to be achieved

To maintain the character of an open rural landscape with gently rolling topography.

To protect views to the Kinglake National Park, which forms a backdrop to this area.

To protect views of hill faces and ridgelines.

To protect clusters of remnant vegetation.

To minimise the visual impact of buildings and structures within this open landscape.

3  Permit requirement

A permit is required to remove, destroy or lop a substantial tree. This does not apply:

·  If the lopping of a tree is undertaken to assist its regeneration.

·  If the tree is dead.

·  To the partial removal or lopping of branches directly overhanging dwellings, garages or outbuildings to the extent that the branches no longer overhang the building.

·  To the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation specified in the Table of Exemptions to Clause 52.17 as not requiring a permit.

·  To the removal, destruction or lopping of vegetation in accordance with Clause 52.48.

·  To the removal, destruction or lopping of vegetation specified in the Nillumbik Shire Council Environmental Weeds List unless it forms part of a shelter belt.

·  If the tree is not indigenous to Victoria unless it forms part of a shelter belt.

A permit is not required to construct a building or construct or carry out works for:

·  An alteration or extension (including an outbuilding normal to a dwelling) to an existing dwelling or building used for agriculture provided all of the following are met:

·  The height of the alteration or extension is less than 7 metres above the natural ground level;

·  The alteration or extension is located at least 5 metres from the base of any substantial native tree;

·  The floor area of the alteration or extension to an existing dwelling is less than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the existing building or 100 square metres, whichever is the lesser;

·  The floor area of the alteration or extension to an existing outbuilding or building used for agriculture is less than 10 percent of the gross floor area of the existing building or 100 square metres, whichever is the lesser;

·  The external surfaces, including roofs and walls, of the alteration or extension are clad and maintained in non-reflective materials coloured in muted tones;

·  The top of the roof line of the alteration or extension is lower than the top of the ridgeline located directly behind the site of the extension or alteration.

·  A new building used for agriculture provided all of the following are met:

·  The height of the building is no more than 7 metres above the natural ground level;

·  The building is located on land with a slope of no more than 1 in 5;

·  The floor area of the building is no more than 100 square metres;

·  The building is setback at least 5 metres from the base of any substantial tree;

·  The building is setback 100 metres from a Road Zone Category 1 or 20 metres from any other road;

·  The top of the roof line of the alteration or extension is lower than the top of the ridgeline located directly behind the site of the extension or alteration; and

·  The external surfaces, including roofs and walls, of the building are clad and maintained in non-reflective materials coloured in muted tones.

·  A horticultural structure provided all of the following are met:

·  The external surfaces, including roofs and walls of the horticultural structure are clad and maintained in non-reflective materials coloured in muted tones;

·  The horticultural structure is located at least 5 metres from the base of any substantial tree;

·  The horticultural structure is setback 100 metres from a Road Zone Category 1 or 20 metres from any other road; and

·  The top of the roof line of the horticultural structure is lower than the top of the ridgeline located directly behind the site of the horticultural structure.

A permit is required to construct a fence. This does not apply to:

·  Open post and wire fences of less than 1.2 metres in height.

·  Post and mesh wire rabbit proof fences of less than 1.2 metres in height.

·  Temporary fencing for construction sites.

·  Transparent safety fence for a swimming pool located in the immediate vicinity of the swimming pool.

A permit is required for earthworks that comprise more than 1 metre cut or fill.

Meaning of terms

For the purpose of this clause a ‘substantial tree’ means a tree that has a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 0.16 m at 1.4m above the ground.

For the purpose of this clause a ‘shelter belt’ is a line of trees that provides protection from wind.

For the purpose of this clause a ‘horticultural structure’ means a structure, which provides a controlled growing environment for horticulture or plant nursery use, including plastic igloos, shade houses and glasshouses.

4  Application requirements

An application must be accompanied by a landscape plan showing proposed landscape works and plantings.

5  Decision guidelines

Before deciding on an application, the responsible authority must consider as appropriate:

Vegetation and Landscaping

·  The type, extent, quality and significance of any tree to be removed.

·  The extent and type (species) of new planting.

·  The extent to which any proposed landscaping screens buildings and structures viewed from road corridors and public spaces.

·  The extent to which the siting of the proposed buildings and works has minimised the need for the removal of native vegetation.

Views and Vistas

·  Whether the proposed development will maintain views from public land and road reserves towards hill faces and ridgelines.

·  Whether the proposed development will maintain views of Kinglake National Park.

·  The cumulative impact of all buildings and works visible from road reserves and public land on the landscape character of the area.

Buildings and Structures

·  The extent to which the development follows the natural topography of the land and minimises the need for earthworks.

·  The prominence of the building along ridgelines, hill faces and elevated areas when viewed from a road reserve or public land.

·  The setback of the building from property boundaries, river and creek corridors and roads.

·  The scale, massing and roof form of the building.

·  Whether the proposed development sits below the existing tree canopy.

·  Whether the proposed development utilises non-reflective materials coloured and maintained in muted tones that are consistent with the natural setting.

·  The location and siting of tennis courts.

Rural Buildings and Structures

·  The scale and siting of the proposed buildings and structures.

·  Whether the proposed development utilises non-reflective materials coloured and maintained in muted tones that are consistent with the natural setting.

Fencing, Access and Driveways

·  The height and materials used to construct any proposed fencing.

·  The extent to which roads, access tracks, driveways and car parking areas conform with the topography and maintain vegetation as a screen.

·  The materials used to construct the proposed road base, access track or driveway.

6  Reference Documents

Nillumbik Landscape Character Assessment (Planisphere, 2009).

Open Pastures Design Guidelines (Nillumbik Shire Council, March 2015)

Siignificant Landscape Overlay – Schedule 8 Page 5 of 3