planning ยท Maroondah City Council
Maroondah seeks rezoning for Louisa Street site in Croydon
A Maroondah planning scheme amendment would change 3-5 Louisa Street from a local government public use zone to neighbourhood residential zoning, subject to state authorisation.
Maroondah City Council will ask the Minister for Planning for permission to prepare and exhibit a planning scheme amendment to rezone 3-5 Louisa Street, Croydon.
At its 16 March meeting, council backed Amendment C161maro, which would change the land from Public Use Zone 6, Local Government, to Neighbourhood Residential Zone Schedule 6. The resolution was made under section 16F of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
The site drew attention during public question time at the same meeting, when a resident asked how more than a dozen canopy trees at 3-5 Louisa Street would be preserved if the land was rezoned. In response, the Director City Growth and Precincts said the canopy trees would be protected by the existing Significant Landscape Overlay.
For nearby residents, the decision is an early planning step that could alter the future planning controls applying to the Croydon site. The minutes do not set out any specific development proposal, but they do confirm council is seeking to move the land into a residential zone.
The next step is for council to seek authorisation from the minister to prepare and exhibit the amendment. If that authorisation is granted, the amendment process would then move to exhibition.
In the same meeting, council also endorsed submitting a motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council meeting on 29 May 2026, calling on the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to begin a legislative review of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and related regulations, including resetting penalties for nuisance animal infringements.
Council's minutes show the motion argues for a contemporary legislative framework and stronger compliance measures through education, complaint management mechanisms and appropriate infringements and court penalties.
Reference minutes
Source: Maroondah City Council, Ordinary Council meeting minutes, 16 March 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Maroondah City Council voted on 16 March 2026 to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning for Amendment C161maro.
- The proposed amendment would rezone 3-5 Louisa Street, Croydon from Public Use Zone 6, Local Government, to Neighbourhood Residential Zone Schedule 6.
- The resolution was made under section 16F of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
- During public question time, a resident asked about preservation of canopy trees on the site.
- The Director City Growth and Precincts said the canopy trees would be protected by the existing Significant Landscape Overlay.
- Council also endorsed submitting an MAV State Council motion on 29 May 2026 seeking a review of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and related regulations.
Why it matters
- The rezoning request could change the planning controls over a council-related site in Croydon and shape what future residential use may be considered there, while existing landscape protections remain relevant to trees on the land.