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Preferred Character Statement

Dwellings will retain the cottage aesthetic and complement the heritage qualities of the streetscape within the Town Core precinct, preserving the unique historical image of Castlemaine. New buildings will not dominate the existing fabric, playing a recessive role in the streetscape. New dwellings will respect the form, scale and materials of the heritage buildings without attempting to replicate historical architectural styles.

New development is encouraged to incorporate buildings of lightweight design using timber and painted surfaces. Attention is paid to the appropriate building form which reflects the predominant front and side setbacks in the street, as well as roof form, window and door proportions and articulation of the facades. Garages and carports will be set back from the front façade of the dwelling and preferably detached to ensure they do not dominate the streetscape nor create a wider “facade” which is out of keeping with the rhythm of built form and void in the streetscape.

The garden settings of the dwellings will be enhanced by low front fencing to enable views into the gardens and maintain surveillance of the street. Space for the planting of trees and other vegetation is provided at the side and rear of new buildings.

Large blocks provide the opportunity for increased housing densities while respecting the adjacent heritage context. Minimising new crossovers will enable the street pattern to be maintained while reducing the loss of valued street trees and wide grassy verges. Further street tree planting will assist in consolidating the precinct while offering shading and cooling benefits. Any subdivision of large lots will ensure a generous setting and setbacks remain around existing dwellings. The creation of lanes may be appropriate on corner sites.

In managed housing change areas an increased diversity of housing types such as dual occupancies, town houses and multi dwellings will be provided while contributing to the preferred character of the Town Core area into the future.

In minimal housing change areas dwellings will need to have regard to and be designed to address the particular hazard through building design and materials, fencing materials and design, and building height which will be different to the managed housing change area. Housing change will be limited to dual occupancies and replacement housing, where appropriate.