City of Port Phillip

## City of Port Phillip Planning Department Analysis **Port Phillip is known as a developer-friendly council** with a strong pro-growth stance, particularly supportive of medium and high-density developments in their designated growth corridors. The council actively encourages housing diversity and has set ambitious targets of 21,000 new dwellings by 2051, demonstrating genuine commitment to addressing housing supply. **Processing times are generally efficient** for applications that align with their strategic vision, with pre-application meetings strongly recommended and typically scheduled within 2-3 weeks. Applications in growth areas like St Kilda, South Melbourne, and Port Melbourne tend to move faster than those in heritage-sensitive zones. **Common delays occur around heritage assessments** and tree protection requirements, particularly in established residential areas. The council's 10% affordable housing requirement for major developments can also extend negotiation periods, though they're pragmatic in their approach. **The planning department is well-resourced and proactive**, with planners who understand the council's growth objectives and work collaboratively with applicants. They demonstrate **flexible interpretation** of planning provisions when proposals deliver strategic housing outcomes. **Expect strong support for developments** that contribute to housing diversity in growth areas, but anticipate stricter scrutiny in heritage precincts and garden suburban character areas where neighbourhood character protection remains paramount.