3.1 Privacy

Dwellings are designed to acknowledge the different requirements for privacy and control in the transition:

1. from public spaces;
2. through the privately controlled but publicly visible or semi-private shared space to the dwelling entry; and
3. onto its private open space.
   

3.1.1 Access to the front entry of a dwelling can be obtained from an access path that does not pass through private open space, including private balconies for above ground level dwellings.  Where entries to above ground level dwellings are adjacent to private balconies and impinge upon privacy, appropriate screening is provided.

3.1.2 Private open space is provided to the rear or side of a ground level dwelling.

3.2 Private outdoor spaces

Private open spaces have a direct relationship to internal living areas and incorporate cover from sun and rain.

3.2.1 Internal living areas are provided with visual and direct access to private open space including private balconies for above ground dwellings.

3.2.2 The balcony of an above ground dwelling is covered.  The private external space of a ground floor dwelling is partially covered by a verandah or similar structure.

3.3 Addressing public space

A dwelling adjacent to a street or park addresses them functionally and visually.  (On large sites, communal open spaces are the equivalent of a public park.)

3.3.1 Entrances and living areas face streets and adjacent park lands or communal spaces on the site.

3.3.2 The walls of a dwelling adjacent to a street and/or park are provided with sizeable window openings and a prominent front entry not obscured by fencing and/or car parking accommodation.

3.4 Crime prevention through environment design

Dwellings are designed and positioned to facilitate casual surveillance of front gardens, street frontages and adjacent (public) park areas. (On large sites, communal open spaces and their associated path networks may function as the equivalent of a public park.)

3.4.1 A dwelling layout provides living areas with windows that overlook the front garden and street frontages.

3.4.2 Where dwellings adjoin a public or private communal park area, windows to the living areas overlook the side garden, park area, the front garden and the street.

3.4.3 Dwellings are not hidden from the street or park by high fences, car accommodation or other built features.

3.5 Privacy and neighbours

The location and design of a dwelling respects the privacy of neighbouring properties.

3.5.1 A dwelling, and in particular the living areas and balconies of an above ground dwelling, are provided with a functional and visual orientation back into the site and/or towards the public realm adjacent to the site. 

3.6 Privacy within the development

Development does not significantly reduce privacy and daylight to private open spaces.

3.6.1 Building design takes into account the following design elements which include the location, design and screening of:

• an upstairs balcony or significant window in relation to ground level courtyards;
• an upstairs balcony or significant windows in relation to other upstairs apartments or balconies;
• the isolation distance between dwellings to avoid the unacceptable diminishing of liveability of above ground dwellings through excessive screening of windows and balconies; and
• paths and carparks in relation to open space areas of ground level units.

3.7 Legibility  of access

Access to and sense of entry to a dwelling fronting a street or an internal path network is clear and unambiguous.

3.7.1 A dwelling fronting a street or internal path has an entry feature that is visible from the street or path.  The internal path network has clear sightlines to dwelling entry and street access points.

3.8 Territoriality

The private control of open spaces by adjacent dwelling occupants is maximized and the provision of shared recreation spaces is minimized.

To aid the control of external spaces by immediately adjacent households, the territorial boundaries of these spaces are clearly delineated.

Access by the general public through the site is prevented, and if this is unachievable, the path should be treated like a public realm area.

3.8.1 Open space adjacent to a ground floor apartment dwelling is allocated for the use of the dwelling's occupants.

OR
Communal open space does not unreasonably impinge upon the privacy and territorial control of nearby dwellings.

3.8.2 Open space adjacent to a dwelling (including a ground floor apartment) is delineated via landscaping or building features such as walls, fences, kerbs, level changes, paths or mowing strips.

3.8.3 Dwellings should be orientated and designed to provide for casual surveillance of the access path or entry points.

3.9 Site responsive dwelling design

Individual dwelling designs respond to and function well within their individual site context.

3.9.1 Individual dwellings within a development are designed to take into account the variety of design constraints (internal and external) across a site to provide equitable access to site amenities and facilities, and to offset inequitable impacts on dwellings. 

3.10 Planting

Landscaping forms an integral component of the design of the development.

3.10.1 The landscaping of the site:

• contributes to the microclimate of the site;
• enhances private and communal open spaces;
• provides definition and amenity to private spaces;
• shades or softens group carparking areas;
• aids the legibility of individual and shared access paths leading to entry points to dwellings;
• does not include dangerous and/or poisonous plants;
• does not include garden beds against dwelling units; and
  does not require extensive watering and fertilising.
  

3.11 Carparking and Street presentation

The street frontage of the development is not dominated by carparking areas or structures, rubbish bin enclosures and utility structures.

3.11.1 Group parking areas are not located to the front of the site, between dwellings and the public realm.  Carports and garages do not dominate the street elevation of a dwelling and are set back further than the front of the dwelling.

3.11.2 Utility structures and rubbish bin enclosures are carefully located and screened.  Smaller rubbish bin enclosures are used and where a number of dwellings have a street frontage, numbers of rubbish bin enclosures are reduced.

3.12 External circulation

External pathways serving an individual dwelling or multiples of dwellings within a development are designed to suit the needs and volume of intended occupants and users.

3.12.1 Each dwelling is served by a well-defined paved pathway linking the public space (street, footpath) to the front door.  Pathways serving more than one dwelling are likely to be wider and better illuminated.