MBRC Planning Scheme - Secondary dwelling

Due to changes made to the Planning Regulation in November 2019, the definitions relevant to secondary dwelling in the Planning Regulation need to be used instead of those in the MBRC Planning Scheme. The Planning Regulation defines the following relevant terms:

Term Definition in the Planning Regulation
Secondary dwelling Secondary dwelling means a dwelling, whether attached or detached, that is used in conjunction with, and subordinate to, a dwelling house on the same lot.
Dwelling house

Dwelling house means a residential use of premises involving:

  • 1 dwelling for a single household and any domestic outbuildings associated with the dwelling or
  • 1 dwelling for a single household, a secondary dwelling and any domestic outbuildings associated with either dwelling.

To clarify the appropriate definitions to be used, Council will amend the definitions in the planning scheme to be consistent with those in the Planning Regulation as part of the next minor amendment.

Council has prepared a Secondary dwelling information sheet(PDF, 481KB) to provide guidance in relation to the Secondary dwelling definition and to further assist in understanding the intended function of this development type. 

Council is currently undertaking a review of Secondary dwellings. The review has been prompted by both the changes to the Planning Regulation as well as the feedback received from the community during consultation on Tailored Amendment No. 1. View more information on the Secondary dwelling review and initial findings.

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