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Tiny apartments banned

New design standards proposed for Victorian apartments would see small apartments outlawed and regulations placed on sunlight exposure and communal areas, according to a Fairfax report.

The draft of the new Victorian Apartment Design Standards, which are being prepared for Planning Minister Matthew Guy, would impose minimum sizes on studio apartments, and one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

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The new standards, which are based on the NSW model, say that 90 per cent of apartments must receive direct sunlight and buildings should be orientated so living areas face north.

Mr Guy is yet to approve the standards and says that he is consulting industry on their impact on building costs.

Architect Craig Yelland told the Australian Financial Review that the standards would see the cost of one-bedroom apartments rise by $40,000 and two-bedroom apartments by $90,000.

“These standards will bring a screaming halt to the construction industry and make apartment living only for the rich,” said Mr Yelland.

Many apartments buildings in inner-city Melbourne would not meet the proposed minimum size requirements.

The draft mandates a 37 square-metre minimum for studio apartments, but last year developer Sixth Lieutenant gained approval for 33 square-metre one-bedroom units in Fitzroy.

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