As a longstanding member of the BGRA, Cornwall Stodart today
congratulates the Executive and members of the BGRA on their
unfailing efforts to have the Victorian Government achieve
monumental reforms to Victoria's retail planning environment. In
the current economic climate, these changes represent a great
result for Victoria by allowing for the growth of new and existing
retail businesses, without some of the major impediments that have
existed to date.
The sweeping changes were announced in a press conference held
earlier today at Baby Bunting in East Bentleigh by the Planning
Minister, the Honourable Matthew Guy. A copy of the media release
can be downloaded here.
Under the existing planning schemes in Victoria, zoning policies
prohibited large format retailers from operating in 'restricted
retail' areas that imposed minimum floor areas of 1000 square
metres. As part of the reforms, a new definition of 'restricted
retail premises' will be introduced to include a wider range of
retail types without imposing the minimum floor area restriction,
thereby allowing bulky goods retailers to operate in more areas and
in a smaller footprint.
The definition will cover a range of large format retailers in
areas such as furniture, bedding, furnishings, fabric, manchester
and homewares, automotive parts and accessories, floor and window
coverings, household appliances, baby and children's goods and
camping, outdoor and recreation goods.
Retailers who do not fall into one of the listed categories can
still be covered if they require a large area for handling,
displaying and storage of goods, or require direct vehicle access
by customers to load or unload goods into their vehicles.
The reforms also include the removal of the minimum 1000 square
metre floor space restriction. This will enable retailers to open
smaller stores in areas where a larger store may not be necessary,
thereby encouraging the growth of new and existing retail
businesses in Victoria.
Retailers trading in industrial areas will also be given more
certainty, because there will be no prohibition of bulky goods
retailers on industrial land.
Once again we congratulate the BGRA and its members on their
efforts in bringing about the announcement made by the Victorian
Planning Minister this morning.
If you require assistance regarding expansions, leases or new
premises when the changes come into effect in the coming weeks,
please contact Ian Tuszynski and his Commercial Property team, who
understand retailing and have extensive experience in assisting
retailers, having been a gold member of the BGRA for more than four
years.
Authored by Sally Christou, Cornwall
Stodart