MBRC Planning Scheme - Rural residential zone

The Rural residential zone includes areas of very low density residential development generally located on the edge of urban areas. Properties generally range from 3,000m² to two hectares in size.

What is the purpose of this zone?

• Provide an additional housing choice characterised by:
• • limited provision of infrastructure and services
  • very low density residential development having a low intensity of built form and character
  • larger properties generally ranging from 3,000m² to two hectares
  • an amenity and character with a strong open area, semi-rural or bushland presence and scope for further planting
  • non-resident workforce accommodation and rural workers accommodation on properties larger than two hectares
• Limit further subdivision of land in certain areas  
• Provide the opportunity for low intensity, low impact rural uses.
• Limit non-residential uses to those of a low intensity, size and scale and ensure they have minimal nuisance and adverse impacts on the amenity and character of the Rural residential zone.  

There are no precincts in the Rural residential zone.

Example of Rural residential zoning map

 Rural Residential zone

What can I expect to see in this zone?

Possible development in the Rural residential zone include:

• Single dwelling house on larger properties
• Low intensity rural uses occurring on larger areas, such as cropping, intensive horticulture, animal husbandry, animal keeping (except for a cattery or kennel), aquaculture, rural industry, wholesale nursery and winery
• Home based businesses
• Rural workers accommodation and non-resident workforce accommodation on larger properties
• Development:
• • maintains a dispersed built form and does not detrimentally impact on the low density, low intensity and open area character and amenity of the Rural residential zone;
  • maintains a transition between more intensively urbanised areas and the rural hinterland;
  • does not further fragment or compromise those areas identified as potential future growth fronts for urban purposes;
  • avoids areas subject to physical constraint, limitation, or valuable natural resource.
• Retail, commercial and community activities established within existing Neighbourhood Hubs (see Overlay map - Community activities and neighbourhood hubs)
• The reconfiguring (subdivision) of land where proposed lot sizes are in accordance with the minimum area identified on overlay map - Rural residential lot sizes
• Provisions about building height, building setback, site coverage, lighting, hazardous chemicals and other matters help maintain the character and amenity of the rural residential environment and minimise any nuisance and adverse impacts on neighbouring properties.

More information

Assessment benchmarks (requirements) for development (material change of use) in the Rural residential zone can be found in the MBRC Planning Scheme. Refer to Part 6, section 6.2.11 Rural residential zone code. Refer to Part 5 of the planning scheme to determine the category of development and assessment (type of application required, if any) for development in the Rural residential zone. Section 5.5.11 Rural residential zone Table of assessment identifies the category of development and assessment for a material change of use. Assessment benchmarks for reconfiguring a lot in the Rural residential zone can be found in Part 9, section 9.4.1.11 Reconfiguring a lot code, Rural residential zone.