Victoria’s fast-tracked housing code comes to Doncaster East with approval of 30 two-storey townhouses

The new project will involve the axing of 29 canopy trees in what is likely to be the first of many townhouse developments approved with limited influence from local councils and neighbours.

Matthew Sims
December 03, 2025

With changes to the state’s planning laws now allowing fast-tracked medium density home development, Manningham Council has had no choice but to vote in favour of the development of 30 two-storey townhouses in Doncaster East – despite it requiring the removal of 29 mature canopy trees.

🏘️How does the code work? Approved in March, the state government’s Townhouse and Low Rise Code mean local councils are unable to consider their own residential and local policies as long as the majority of government-imposed standards are met.

If all of the applicable standards are met as part of a development application, neighbours – or those opposed to a development – have no right to appeal a council’s decision.

How do Ringwood’s locals feel about upcoming proposed three-to-six storey developments?

Ringwood’s population is set to increase by more than a third over the next 20 years – but are buildings up to six storeys the answer?

🪓🏗️Trees down, townhouses up: During the meeting on Tuesday November 25, Manningham Council approved a development at 35-41 Taunton Street in Doncaster East, which includes townhouses up to 7.9 metres high, two car spaces per dwelling and replanting of new canopy trees.

Previously, planning officers had recommended council refuse an old application on the site prior to the new planning code. This application lapsed in April.

To make way for the new housing, the Gateway Lighthouse Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Doncaster Salvation Army corps will be demolished.

☝️Powers diminished: Manningham councillor Geoff Gough said he had “very grave concerns” for the safety and amenity of developments set to come before the council under the new code.

🌳Canopy concerns: Manningham councillor Anna Chen was the only opposing vote, saying increased protection for canopy trees was needed instead of diminished protections.

🗣️“Climate change further increases the stress on our trees,” said Chen.

Box Hill high-rise with 204 hotel rooms approved

The development will be 98 metres tall and include 204 hotel rooms.

Bark breaches: Manningham Council’s officers determined the application met all but one of the eight applicable standards under the new code, showing a “high degree of compliance”.

The breach involved vehicle accessway plans encroaching the protection zones of two existing trees by more than the maximum 10 percent threshold.

However, council officers determined the excavation required would have an “acceptable” impact on the trees’ roots.

What’s next: Under the new code, this failure means objectors will be able to appeal the development.

The council’s decision to approve the development included a total of 26 conditions, like changes to vehicle accessways and a planting schedule showcasing a variety of new canopy trees and other proposed vegetation.