Part I - Other Considerations - Richmond Valley Council

Richmond Valley Development Control Plan 2012I5. Landscaping GuidelinesThese guidelines are included within the DCP to assist proponents inproviding landscaping where required as part of the development proposed. Itis recommended that larger developments engage the services of aprofessional landscape designer/architect as part of the overall designconsideration of the development as a whole.Landscaping allows for the built environment to blend more successfully withthe natural environment and contributes to streetscape amenity for all toenjoy. Streets devoid of vegetation provide no shade and fail to soften harshand contrasting solid construction elements found within streetscapes. Thelandscaping requirement for new residential development helps to ensureimportant elements and liveability are incorporated to preserve existingstreetscapes. Landscaping promotes more vibrant and liveable streetscapesas well as improving water quality and providing cooling shade.I5.1 Landscaping ObjectivesLandscaping serves to provide a number of important development objectiveswithin Richmond Valley. Good landscaping provided in conjunction with newdevelopment;‣ Facilitates the integration of proposed development into the surroundingstreetscape or rural environ;‣ Presents a new development favourably and introduces the proposalinto a neighbourhood in a manner which will promote acceptance;‣ Contributes to native flora and supporting fauna (both urban and rural) inthe environ in which the development is proposed and furthersEnvironmentally Sustainable Development principles;‣ Integrates an important component of inter-allotment design by providingessential infiltration areas, as necessary for achieving Water SensitiveUrban Design (WSUD) principles;‣ Embellishes a new development aesthetically and softens the impactvisually of individual components, and the overall design as a whole; and‣ Provides essential leisure and recreational opportunities as part of thedevelopment, promoting health and wellbeing of residents andemployees.I5.2 Landscaping Principles(1) The Landscaped Open Space Component of the DevelopmentThe component of the development which is to be dedicated to LandscapedOpen Space is relative to the development type, and is usually directly relatedto the Footprint size of the development on the allotment. ResidentialDevelopment generally requires 30-35% of the actual footprint area size to beprovided and maintained as Landscaped Open Space. This component will berequired to be maintained throughout the life of the development and shall bePart I – Other Considerations – Landscaping I.51