Site Planning

10 - Site Planning

Site Planning

Landscaping

Objectives
  1. O.1To conserve significant natural features of the site and contribute to effective management of biodiversity.
  2. O.2To retain and provide for mature vegetation, particularly large and medium sized trees.
  3. O.3To provide continuous vegetation corridors.
  4. O.4To encourage the planting of indigenous, native and low water consumption plants and trees.
  5. O.5To enhance the existing streetscape and promote a scale and density of planting that softens the visual impact of buildings.
  6. O.6To provide privacy and amenity.
  7. O.7To promote energy efficiency by enhancing both solar access and shade.
  8. O.8To provide for the infiltration of water to the water table, minimise run-off and assist with stormwater management.
Design Principles
  1. P.1Natural features on the site, such as trees, rock outcrops, cliffs, ledges, indigenous species and vegetation communities should be retained and incorporated into the design of development.
  2. P.2Indigenous species, especially low water consumption plants, should be used in preference to exotic species, reflecting the vegetation communities of the locality – refer Appendix 3.
  3. P.3Landscaping abutting the Environment Protection (Bushland) 7 Zone under Parramatta LEP 2001 is to be landscaped with local indigenous species to protect bushland and wildlife corridors and soften the interface between the natural landscape and the urban environment.
  4. P.4Landscaping is to be designed to integrate new development with the existing landscape character of the street and be sensitive to site attributes, existing landscape features, streetscape view and vistas.
  5. P.5Landscaping is to enhance the visual setting and accentuate the design qualities of the built form. Landscaping solutions are to be used to create a screening effect for visually obtrusive land uses or building elements.
  6. P.6Trees should be planted at the front and rear of properties to encourage tree canopy to soften the built environment and to encourage the continuity of the landscape pattern.
  7. P.7Landscaping is to be designed so as to minimise overlooking between properties.
  8. P.8Landscaping should provide shade in summer without reducing solar access in winter.
  9. P.9The amount of hard surface area is to be minimised to reduce run-off. Run-off should be reduced by directing the overland flow from rainwater to permeable surfaces such as garden beds.
  10. P.10 Landscaped areas should be designed to require minimal maintenance by using robust landscape elements and using hardy plants with low fertilizer requirements.
  11. P.11A deep soil zone is required for residential development in accordance with the design standards below. Buildings, basement carparks, swimming pools, tennis courts, patios and decks, and impervious surfaces such as paved areas, driveways, carparking and roofed areas are NOT included as part of the deep soil zone.
  12. P.12Deep soil zones should adjoin the deep soil zones of neighbouring properties where practicable so as to provide for a contiguous area of deep soil and vegetation.
  13. P.13 A landscape plan, prepared by a suitably qualified person, is to be submitted for development that in Council's opinion will significantly alter the landscape character. In all cases, a landscape plan will be required to accompany applications for:
    • Dual occupancy development
    • Multi-unit housing (including townhouses and villas)
    • Residential flat buildings
    • Development abutting Public Open Space 6(a) or Environment Protection (Bushland) 7 Zones under Parramatta LEP 2001
    • Commercial development
    • Industrial development
Design Standards
Dwelling houses, Dual Occupancies
  1. S.1A minimum of 30% of the site is to be a deep soil zone. Of this,
    • a minimum of 50% is to be located at the rear of the site,
    • a minimum of 15% is to be located at the front of the site.

    Note: The minimum dimensions for a deep soil zone are 4m x 4m.

  2. S.2A minimum of 40% of the site is to be landscaped. This is inclusive of the deep soil zone.

    To measure landscaped open space:
    • impervious surfaces such as driveways, paved areas, roofed areas, carparking and stormwater structures, decks and the like and any area with a width or length of less than 2 metres are excluded
    • the water surface of swimming pools is included
    • landscaping is to be at ground level
    • the minimum soil depth of land that can be included as landscaped open space is 1 metre.
Granny Flats
  1. S.1The minimum required area for deep soil zone at the rear of the site for the principal dwelling is not to be reduced by the erection of a granny flat.
Multi-unit Housing
  1. S.1A minimum of 30% of the site is to be a deep soil zone. Of this,
    • a minimum of 50% is to be located at the rear of the site,
    • a minimum of 15% is to be located at the front of the site,
    • a minimum of 10% is to be communal landscaped open space (refer to Section 4.3.1 Private and Communal Open Space for more detail)

    The purpose of communal landscaped open space is to provide a deep soil area outside of private courtyards that is planted with trees and landscaping that will mature and contribute to the amenity of the site and locality.

    In developments with more than one group of attached dwellings, the deep soil communal open space is to be provided between the buildings.

    Note: The minimum dimensions for a deep soil zone are 4m x 4m

  2. S.2A minimum of 40% of the site is to be landscaped. This is inclusive of the deep soil zone.
    To measure landscaped open space:
    • impervious surfaces such as driveways, paved areas, roofed areas, carparking and stormwater structures, decks and the like and any area with a width or length of less than 2 metres are excluded
    • the water surface of swimming pools is included
    • landscaping is to be at ground level
    • the minimum soil depth of land that can be included as landscaped open space is 1 metre.
Terrace Housing, Residential Flat Buildings and High Density Housing
  1. S.1A minimum of 30% of the site is to be a deep soil zone. Of this, a minimum of 50% is to be located at the rear of the site.
    Note: The minimum dimensions for a deep soil zone are 4m x 4m.
  2. S.2A minimum of 40% of the site is to be landscaped. This is inclusive of the deep soil zone.
    To measure landscaped open space:
    • impervious surfaces such as driveways, paved areas, roofed areas, carparking and stormwater structures, decks and the like and any area with a width or length of less than 2 metres are excluded
    • the water surface of swimming pools is included
    • landscaping is to be at ground level
    • the minimum soil depth of land that can be included as landscaped open space is 1 metre.
Mixed Use Development in the Mixed Use (10) Zones in Westmead and Northmead off Briens Road
  1. S.1The rear setback is to be a deep soil zone.
Mixed Use Development in the Mixed Use (10) Zone in Woodville Road
  1. S.140% of the site is to be retained as a deep soil zone.
Mixed Use Development in the Mixed Use (10) Zone in North Granville
  1. S.1The rear setback is to be landscaped
Development in Employment 4 Zones
  1. S.110% of the site area is to comprise soft landscaping (lawns, trees, shrubs)
  2. S.2Landscaping with a minimum width of 2.5m is to be provided surrounding car parking and outdoor storage areas.
  3. S.3Where sites have dual street exposure, landscaping is to be provided on both frontages.
Basement Carparking
  1. S.1Where basement carparking extends beyond the building envelope, a minimum soil depth of 1.0 metre is to be provided, measured from the top of the slab and will not be calculated as part of the deep soil zone.
Further Information
  • Parramatta City Council 2002, Parramatta Planting Strategy
  • Parramatta City Council 2003, Parramatta Biodiversity Plan
  • Parramatta City Council 1996, Tree Preservation Order
  • BASIX website: www.basix.nsw.gov.au
  • BASIX Design Guidelines: Low Water Use Landscape
  • Parramatta City Council