Boroondara Council’s planning rules state that solar panels are not to be mounted on the principal, visible roof in heritage precincts. This is regardless of whether your principal, visible roof is north facing.  This is regardless of whether your home was built last year or even if you are applying to build a completely new home on a vacant lot. If you’re in a heritage precinct, and there are many heritage precincts in Boroondara, solar panels are not to be put on your roof where they are visible from a street or park.

Council has declared a climate emergency and its recently adopted Climate Action Plan includes a goal to encourage the rollout of solar panels to give us a tripling of rooftop solar installations by 2030.

You may have seen or heard media coverage on this issue here, here and here. 

It is pointless for residents to apply for a permit under the current rules and enforcement regime. Residents in heritage precincts should be able to position solar panels in an effective and efficient manner in order to save high energy costs, contribute to the success of Council’s Climate Action Plan, and respond to the climate emergency. This sometimes requires panels to be visible from the street. 

Boroondara Council, please change your rule to bring it up to date and into line with your commitment to climate action.

Photo by Wayne Taylor