Glossary of planning terms: L – N

Land
Land includes-

(a) buildings and other structures permanently fixed to land; and
(b) land covered with water; and
(c) any estate, interest, easement, servitude, privilege or right in or over land;¹⁶

Land capability assessment
The assessment of the physical ability of the land to sustain specific uses having regard to its management, and without long term on-site detriment to the environment.

Landscape Plan
A plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed site design focusing on the location, number, size, species, and distribution of landscape elements , including:

• • A survey plan, including botanical names, of all existing vegetation/trees to be retained;
  • Buildings and vegetation (including botanical names) on neighbouring properties within 3m of the boundary;
  • Significant trees greater than 1.5m in circumference, 1m above ground;
  • All street trees and/or other trees on Council land;
  • A planting schedule of all proposed vegetation including botanical names; common names; pot sizes; sizes at maturity; quantities of each plant; and details of surface finishes of pathways and driveways;
  • Landscaping and planting within all open space areas of the site;
  • Water sensitive urban design;⁶

Leasable floor area
That part of the net floor area able to be leased. It does not include public or common tenancy areas, such as malls, verandahs, or public conveniences.

Legal Point of Discharge
A Legal Point of Discharge is the location on a site which is specified by Council as the connection point for draining stormwater into Council assets such as a Council drain, kerb and channel, easement or an open drain.

Levels
Surveyors have expertise in determining levels on land. These levels are referred to as “Reduced Levels” (R.L.) which means a height above (or below) a nominated datum. In Australia, this datum is called the “Australian Height Datum” (A.H.D.) and is the relative height of a point in relation to Australian mean sea level.⁶

Liquor License
An application that proposes a new liquor license or change in the terms of an existing liquor license.⁷

Local Law – Significant trees
A Council Local Law which regulates removal of significant and canopy trees on private land.⁸

Lot
A part (consisting of one or more pieces) of any land (except a road, a reserve, or common property) shown on a plan, which can be disposed of separately and includes a unit or accessory unit on a registered plan of strata subdivision and a lot or accessory lot on a registered cluster plan.

Lot on Plan
A parcel type on a plan of subdivision which is capable of registration (or has already been registered) at Land Victoria.³

Mean building height
The vertical distance between the mean ground level and the finished roof height at its highest point.

Mean ground level
One half the sum of the highest and lowest levels along ground level of the outer surface of all external building walls.

Memorandum of Common Provisions (MCP)

Multi-dwellings
An application that involves the construction of more than one new dwelling.⁷

Native vegetation
Plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses.

Native vegetation removal
An application to remove, lop or destroy native vegetation including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.⁷

Natural Ground Level (NGL)
Natural ground level is the natural level of the site before any excavation or filling (in the past or as a part of any proposed development) has been carried out on the site.

Neighbourhood Character
Neighbourhood character is essentially the combination of the public and private realms. Every property, public place or piece of infrastructure makes a contribution, whether great or small. It is the cumulative impact of all these contributions that establishes neighbourhood character. In some areas the character may be more obvious, more unusual, or more attractive, but no area can be described as having no character. The character of all areas is to be respected (even areas that planners or designers might not think are attractive).

For more information please refer to the Department of Planning and Local Infrastructure’s (DTPLI) practice note Understanding Neighbourhood Character⁶

Neighbourhood and Site Description
A Neighbourhood and Site Description is generally a plan that describes the existing conditions of the proposed site and the surrounding neighbourhood. When preparing a Neighbourhood and Site Description you are encouraged to inspect neighbouring properties to ensure all information is accurate.⁶ View an Example of the Neighbourhood and Site Description

Net floor area
The total floor area of all floors of all buildings on a site. It includes half the width of any party wall and the full width of all other walls. It does not include the area of stairs, loading bays, accessways, or car parking areas, or any area occupied by machinery required for air conditioning, heating, power supply, or lifts.⁶