Specialists in Strathmore's established residential character. Family-format dual occupancy for Moonee Valley outcomes.
Reviewed May 2026Strathmore sits in Moonee Valley's northern band, characterised by interwar and postwar housing on consistent lot sizes, established canopy, and a small village shopping precinct. The combination of generous lot sizes, Neighbourhood Character Overlay coverage, and the council's housing strategy framework shapes the development environment.
Strathmore has specific planning requirements within Moonee Valley Council. With numerous projects approved across the suburb, we have built relationships with council planners and understand exactly what they look for in applications.
Most residential land in Strathmore falls within one of these zone families, each with materially different development outcomes.
Applies under the Moonee Valley Housing Strategy's Minimal/Incremental/Substantial Change framework — the applicable change area shapes built-form expectations.
Applies in denser residential pockets and contemporary townhouse precincts where multi-unit development is most readily achievable.
Applies to selected main road frontages and apartment-scale residential sites.
Source: Moonee Valley Planning Scheme, planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au. Latest amendment C200moon, last verified May 2026.
Applied to selected interwar precincts
Applies across Minimal Change areas
Protects mature canopy
Applies to individual significant trees
Overlay status should be confirmed for any specific site before contract exchange. The planning scheme is the authoritative source — Vicmap Property and the Moonee Valley Property Profile tool are useful starting points.
considered neighbourhood character response, sympathetic heritage outcomes, ESD features
heritage precincts, neighbourhood character interfaces, Puckle Street activity centre built form, parking
neighbourhood character statement aligning with the Moonee Valley Housing Strategy
8–12 weeks for first Request for Information (RFI)
Per Feasibly council intelligence data, last verified May 2026.
For Strathmore specifically, the council pays particular attention to heritage overlay considerations.
Gazetted current
Translated the Moonee Valley Housing Strategy into the planning scheme — refined residential zone schedules and Minimal/Incremental/Substantial Change area framework across Moonee Ponds, Essendon, and Ascot Vale
View source →Gazetted earlier
Built-form controls for the Moonee Ponds Major Activity Centre, including refined Design and Development Overlay schedules around Puckle Street
View source →Gazetted 6 March 2025
Statewide reform introducing a deemed-to-comply pathway under Clause 55 for multi-dwelling developments of three storeys or less. Where every standard is met, no third-party appeal applies. Operative for applications lodged from 31 March 2025.
View source →Across recent Strathmore dual occupancy and townhouse outcomes, a recognisable pattern of successful applications emerges. While every site differs, the following observations apply to most viable approval pathways in the suburb.
Tribunal decisions on Moonee Valley applications regularly address the council's neighbourhood character framework and the Puckle Street Activity Centre interface. Character statements aligning the proposal with the specific change area expectations under the Housing Strategy are a recurring assessment criterion.
These patterns indicate typical successful pathways. Site-specific outcomes depend on the particular planning context, design response, and engagement strategy chosen.
Strathmore's generous lots and Minimal Change framework reward considered family-format dual occupancy. Tree retention strategy is foundational.
Sammi Lian, Principal Architect, SQM Architects
— On developing in Strathmore
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Expert dual occupancy designs optimised for Strathmore's zoning and character requirements.
Learn more →Multi-unit townhouse developments designed to maximise your Strathmore site.
Learn more →Apartment developments where Moonee Valley Council zoning permits higher density.
Learn more →Official planning and building information, permit requirements, and lodgement details.
Visit Council WebsiteFull planning scheme ordinance including zones, overlays, and local policies.
View Planning SchemeState government planning guides including ResCode, heritage guidelines, and application requirements.
View Planning GuidesLatest Victorian planning scheme amendments and reform updates affecting residential development.
View Amendments
Written by Sammi Lian, Principal Architect.
SQM Architects | ABN 32 600 928 390 | Architects Registration Board of Victoria, Reg. No. 51498.
210+ projects delivered across Melbourne’s east. 98% planning approval rate.
This page provides general information about engaging architects for property development in Strathmore, Victoria. It is not architectural, planning, or financial advice. Site-specific outcomes vary and should be confirmed by qualified professionals after a site-specific assessment. Planning scheme provisions and council practices are subject to change; references on this page were verified May 2026.
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