Council releases updated design guidelines for Maldon

Published on 07 June 2023

Mount Alexander Shire Council has released updated design guidelines for new development in the historic town of Maldon.

The updated Maldon Design Guidelines document will help permit applicants (including property owners, architects, planners and builders) in preparing designs for new buildings, works or alterations to existing buildings where the Heritage Overlay or the Significant Landscape Overlay applies.

They will also assist Council’s planning and heritage team in assessing permit applications.

The updated guidelines provide direction for new development in areas such as:

• conservation, maintenance and demolition of buildings
• building alterations and additions
• commercial alterations
• detail design (e.g. driveways, fences and crossovers)
• colours
• signage (e.g. advertising and historic signs).

Council has been working on updating the guidelines since 2018 in collaboration with the project advisory group, which is comprised of Maldon community members, and key stakeholders and government agencies such as Heritage Victoria and the National Trust.

Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Tarrengower Ward Councillor, Stephen Gardner, said he was thrilled to see the project to update the guidelines come to fruition.

“The original guidelines were adopted in 1977, and this the first time that they have been thoroughly reviewed and updated”, said Cr Garner.

“Council worked closely with Maldon community members on this, and I’d like to thank them for their significant input throughout this process.”

“Maldon is home to some beautiful, historic buildings which tell a story about the region.

“In developing these updated guidelines, we’re making sure that we don’t lose that.”

The revision to the guidelines will bring the guidelines up-to-date in terms of heritage status, planning policy and legislation; remove errors, anomalies, and repetition, and add context to prescriptive provisions.

They are consistent with current planning policy and legislation, while making them easier to use for residents, property owners, businesses, architects and builders.

Find out more about the project’s background and view the updated guidelines on our Maldon Design Guidelines page.

Victoria’s Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, has approved the updated guidelines and associated planning scheme amendment.

Hard copies of the guidelines are also available to view during business hours at the Civic Centre in Castlemaine.