Neighbourhood character study

The aim of the Hobsons Bay Neighbourhood Character Study (NCS) is to ensure that residential development respects and enhances the future preferred character of the city. The study describes the character, and contains design guidelines for each part of the city.

The character of Hobsons Bay ranges from the beach side or coastal areas, to the historic areas, to the garden dominated suburbs. The Hobsons Bay Neighbourhood Character Study describes the key characteristics and the preferred neighbourhood character of each part of the City, developed with input from the community, using words and pictures. It goes on to translate these variations in character into design guidelines which are to be used in formulating and assessing development proposals.

The NCS defines areas in the City

The study defines a total of 42 precincts in the city. The precincts were defined on the basis of consistent style and era of development, and the relationship of dwellings to the streetscape and landscape in different parts of the city.

The Hobsons Bay Neighbourhood Character Study was conducted with considerable input from Hobsons Bay residents and a committee of community representatives including design and development professionals.

Character Description
Description	Summarises the elements of the Precinct that make it different or distinctive
Key characteristics	List of key elements of the existing neighbourhood character, covering aspects such as vegetation type, era / style of development, front fence style and public domain treatments
Community values	A summary of values raised by the community at a workshop held in the area during preparation of the study and by the Steering Committee
Preferred neighbourhood character statement	Establishes a future direction for development in the precinct, and then lists the key components of that direction. Issues / threats to the achievement of the preferred neighbourhood character are also listed

Table 1. The Character Description covers the above criteria.

Design Guidelines
Character element	Lists aspects of the neighbourhood character such as vegetation, siting, height and form and front boundary treatment
Objectives	State the intention and desired outcome for that character element
Design responses	Are the preferred method to satisfy the relevant character element objective(s). Other methods of achieving the relevant objective may be demonstrated to the Council's satisfaction
Avoid	Statements of key points of misunderstanding or common errors
Illustrations	Visually demonstrate some of the design response statements