By Clarke Towson – CEO, INTJ Billing / Spotswood Trailers
Date: July 31st, 2025
Every item placed on the Spotswood Trailers front yard at 7 Cullen Court Spotswood has been deliberately chosen to reflect the intent and legal scope of Transport Zone 2 (TRZ2) land under Clause 36.02 of the Victorian Planning Scheme.
Unlike traditional residential or commercial zoning, TRZ2 is designed to support transport systems, logistics operations, and associated infrastructure. As a result, the objects found on my site are not just lawful — they are aligned with both the letter and the spirit of the TRZ2 zone.
| Item | TRZ2 Planning Justification | Strategic Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Trailers | Transport-related use; directly aligned with TRZ2’s intended function of supporting logistics and infrastructure. | Core operational use. Anchors the lawful activation under Section 6(3) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic). |
| Camera pole with camera | Permitted as ancillary infrastructure for monitoring and securing transport assets. | Standard across Department of Transport yards — supports compliance, risk reduction, and deterrence of vandalism or theft. |
| Chains & padlocks | Passive security infrastructure consistent with controlled access on government and private TRZ2 sites. | Used extensively on leased TRZ2 land across Victoria to secure vehicles and gate access. |
| Chain links between bollards | Used for visual and physical separation of vehicle and pedestrian space — enhances safety without constituting development. | Common across Department of Transport yards and VicRoads compounds; aesthetically respectful and functionally sound. |
| Stainless steel retractable bollards | Physical infrastructure to prevent unauthorised access and protect vehicles or infrastructure on site. | Standard fixture on TRZ2 land — particularly along arterial corridors and freeway interfaces. |
| Wheel locks | Ancillary equipment used to secure trailers during storage or handover; consistent with transport security practice. | Supports responsible trailer hire practices — avoids drift, theft, or injury. |
| Curb ramps | Temporary, removable infrastructure that facilitates safe trailer ingress and egress without altering the land. | Non-permanent. Comparable to kerb ramps and mats used by transport contractors at TRZ2 work zones. |
| Garden carts | Manual handling aid for moving equipment or landscaping materials; operationally relevant and non-fixed. | No planning implications. Functional equivalent of equipment found on VicTrack and Department of Transport depots. |
| Plants in pots | Portable decorative elements — does not constitute a structure or development. Used to improve visual amenity. | Softens site aesthetics, reduces heat absorption, and provides community interface value. |
| Wheel barrow | Basic operational tool. No planning implications. Used for site setup, maintenance, and landscaping. | Ubiquitous on infrastructure project sites and government transport yards. |
Small-format A4 signage placed on the camera pole is lawful, non-permanent, and aligned with standard practices on TRZ2-zoned land. These signs serve practical purposes such as safety guidance, operational instructions, and community interface — mirroring similar implementations on Department of Transport sites.
| Item | TRZ2 Planning Justification | Strategic Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| A4 Signage on a camera pole | Ancillary site signage is not classified as development under the Planning and Environment Act. Used for safety, wayfinding, or contact information, it is consistent with signage found on TRZ2 land used by VicRoads and Department of Transport. | Signs convey important operational info (e.g., The Spotswood Trailers Branding). Visually modest, removable, and in line with standard infrastructure messaging. Reinforces legitimacy and trustworthiness of the site. |
This section breaks down the official TRZ2 zoning objectives and use conditions as found in Clause 36.04 of the Victoria Planning Provisions and shows how each installed item at 7 Cullen Court, Spotswood lawfully complies — both in spirit and in strict planning terms.
| Zoning Objective or Clause | Relevant Item on Site | How It Complies |
|---|---|---|
| Clause 36.04 Purpose: To provide for the use and development of land that complements or is consistent with the transport system | Trailers, Wheel Locks, Curb Ramps | Directly support transport logistics by enabling movement and storage of transport vehicles. These are not incidental — they are the core transport use. |
| Clause 36.04-1 Section 1: “Any other use” is allowed if it is for a transport purpose and carried out by or on behalf of a transport manager | Site-wide use (Spotswood Trailers operation) | Operation is clearly for a transport-related purpose: trailer hire and short-term vehicle storage. No buildings have been erected. The use does not require a permit under Section 1 because it meets this test. Given the TRZ2 zoning is ultra vires as I have proven there is also no transport manager authorized to permit it nor to carry it out. |
| Clause 36.04-2: Permit required to construct a building or carry out works (but not for portable or removable items) | Curb ramps, garden carts, wheel barrow, signage | All items are removable and non-permanent. No buildings or fixed structures have been constructed — consistent with clause exemptions. |
| Clause 36.04-5: Must consider the safe and efficient use of transport infrastructure | Camera pole with camera, chains & padlocks, bollards, chain links | These features enhance the safety and operational control of a working transport yard. They mirror best practice at VicRoads sites and prevent misuse or injury. |
| Clause 36.04-6: Signage permitted with conditions (if not over carriageway or above 600mm clearance) | A4 signage on the camera pole | Does not exceed 600mm height or span a carriageway. Sign is temporary, non-electric, and serves safety/branding purposes. It is permitted without a planning permit. |
| TRZ2 Designation Purpose: Principal Road Network (Clause 36.04-4) | Overall yard configuration | Use supports principal road activity by providing last-mile transport services. Yard is directly adjacent to The West Gate Freeway and supports the interface with Melbourne's logistics corridors. |
Summary: Every single item on the site is lawful, transport-aligned, and consistent with TRZ2 Clause 36.04. The site does not contain buildings, does not trigger signage prohibitions, and is legally protected under Section 6(3) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as an existing use. It is a textbook example of how private TRZ2 land can function lawfully.
Every item at 7 Cullen Court is purposefully selected, legally justified, and functionally aligned with the intent of TRZ2. These aren’t arbitrary choices — they are expressions of good governance, lawful activation, and system-aware site design.
What the public sees as “neat and tidy” is in fact a tightly coded expression of planning scheme compliance. The site isn’t just compliant — it’s a showcase of how private TRZ2 land can be lawfully activated for community benefit, economic purpose, and transport-oriented outcomes.