City of Darebin sets new standard for developments
Darebin Council, comprising Melbourne’s inner-northern region, has released the city’s first good design guides, devised to help lift the standard of design by developers working in Darebin.
The council endorsed the guides in early September as the first local government to do so outside of the City of Melbourne.
City designer Munir Vahanvati led the development of the documents which clarify the Council’s expected outcomes for design in planning application, and assist planners in pre-application meetings and assessments.
“Planning schemes by necessity are broad and there are various ways to meet the requirements. Our Good Design Guides clarify how Council expects applicants to meet those requirements in Darebin,” he said.
The guides form part of the Council’s design excellence program, aimed to lift the standard of design in multiple ways and help create quality neighbourhoods.
“We know ensuring high quality design will create more resilient and liveable neighbourhoods. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about how things work and how the developments interact with their environment”, Vahanvati said.
Darebin is expected to see population growth of 40 per cent over the next 20 years and ensuring good design outcomes for the community is important, said Council CEO Sue Wilkinson.
We want our Darebin of the future to deliver on the ideals so important to us and our community. Our city needs to be sustainable, accessible and liveable, while supporting our diverse population,” she said.
Future guides are planned to set the standards for landscape, streetscape and environmentally sustainable design.
New developments in the City of Darebin
1. Northcote Place, Northcote
Two-bedroom townhouses from $895,000
Address: 198 Beavers Road, Northcote VIC 3070
Northcote Place is located in the City of Darebin in a green location beside Merri Creek. Offering two-, three- and four-bedroom townhomes, the development is a “habitat for community-focused living”, the marketing reads.
Designed by ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects and Akas Landscape Architecture, the project offers native greenery, front porches and landscaped pedestrian streets to draw residents out of their homes. The homes also include a communal garden area with alfresco entertaining space.
2. MERRIPARK3070, Northcote
Two-bedroom townhouses from $995,000
Address: 7/2C Summer Avenue, Northcote VIC 3070
Designed by Cera Stribley, MERRIPARK3070 comprises eight two-, three- and four-bedroom townhomes across three floors. Situated within the heritage-protected Sumner Estate, the development is in close proximity to Merri Creek and cycling trails.
The homes offer clever storage, floor-to-ceiling windows, courtyard balconies and split-level interiors. Two-bedroom homes are listed from $995,000, and three-bedroom homes from $1.225 million.
