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Safer Design Guidelines for Victoria

The Safer Design Guidelines for Victoria were released to facilitate the planning and design of safer urban environments for all Victorian communities. The Guidelines have been developed to assist planners and designers apply design principles that will improve the safety of the built environment, minimise the opportunity for crime and promote safe, accessible and liveable places. As part of the Melbourne 2030 package the guidelines provide advice to developers, councils and communities about designing for safer urban environments. The Safer Design Guidelines will: increase community usage of public places, in the daytime and evening, achieve connection and integration of streets and public places, reduce opportunities for crime and anti social behaviour, improve the quality of life for the community by improving perceptions of public places, and create more liveable and sustainable environments. Councils must have regard to the guidelines when assessing an application to ensure the design of urban environments enhance personal safety and property security. The Guidelines are referenced in Clause 19.03 of the State Planning Policy Framework which sets out State planning policy objectives and design principles for the design and built form of development. Well designed and maintained urban environments are essential for improved safety in the community. Good design can also reduce many of the safety related costs currently borne by the community. Safer Design Guidelines for Victoria Safer Design Guidelines (PDF - 1.5 Mb) Copies of the Safer Design Guidelines for Victoria are also available at the DPCD customer service centre. Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.