Sustained growth in the Brighton LGA has put considerable pressure on residential land supply, which cannot be met through existing residential zoned land and greenfield development sites. To meet the expected demand, two Rural Living zoned ‘precincts’ in Old Beach were identified in the Brighton Structure Plan as being potentially suitable as residential growth areas. However, further investigation was required to determine whether these areas could support this growth.

ERA was engaged by Brighton Council to review the zoning of the two precincts, examine whether the precincts have the capacity and policy support to accommodate further residential growth, gauge the community’s appetite for such change, and to make zoning recommendations that are based on the suitability of the land for additional housing.

As part of this process, ERA also undertook comprehensive engagement with landowners within the identified precincts, as well as engaging more broadly with the community. This approach resulted in engagement with the project by a significant 69% of landowners in the area, providing statistically robust data for the team to work with.

Council has endorsed the final report and was supportive of the recommendation to rezone one of the precincts.