Planning in Victoria

aerial view of Chirnside Park

Planning is about creating plans and policies that guide the use of land and the development of buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces across Victoria.

Planning is legislated by the State Government through the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Some of the objectives of planning in Victoria are to make sure land use and development:

  • is orderly, economic and sustainable
  • protects natural and manufactured resources
  • secures a pleasant and safe working, living and recreational environment for all Victorians and visitors to Victoria
  • conserves areas and buildings that are of scientific, aesthetic, architectural or historical interest, or otherwise of special cultural value
  • protects public utilities and other assets for the benefit of the community
  • facilitates the provision of affordable housing in Victoria
  • balances the present and future interests of all Victorians.

The State Government works with local councils to implement these objectives through their individual planning schemes. The planning schemes cater for the specific needs and unique characteristics of each local government area.

Understanding 
the community needs

Economic Drivers

  • Population growth
  • Transport and land-use coordination
  • Airfield, port and freight logistics
  • Infrastructure
  • Economic Development
  • Access to employment
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism
  • Global economic cycles 

Social drivers

  • Affordable housing
  • Social housing
  • Planning for health
  • Heritage and culture
  • Population change
  • Liquor and gambling
  • Community infrastructure
  • Sense of 'place'

 Environmental Drivers

  • Biodiversity
  • Natural hazards
  • Environmental Protection
  • Climate change
  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable design
  • Vegetation protection
  • Resource management and protection
  • Sustainable transport
  Statewide policies agreed
  • Plan Melbourne 2017-2050
  • Regional Growth Plans
  • Homes for Victorian: Affordability, access and Choice
  • Victorian Coastal Strategy
    
Planning for
the communities needs

Implementation through the planning controls

  • The Planning and Environment Act sets the legal framework for the planning system
  • Each municipality in Victoria is covered by a planning scheme
    that regulates the use, development and protection of the land
  • Planning schemes set out the planning rules - the state and local policies, zones,
    overlays and provisions about specific land uses that inform planning decisions.
  • Council develops the vision for the municipality with input from the community
  • These ideas are included in the planning scheme as local policies and the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS)
  • A planning scheme can only be changed by a formal amendment process
  • Permit application decisions must be consistent with the planning scheme

 
 

Expert advice

Agencies

  • Can comment on proposals that affect their area of interest (e.g. EPA, Melbourne Water)

Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning

  • Makes recommendations to the Minister
  • Administers changes to the planning controls as required
  • May refer for additional expert input
  • Can seek community input

Independent Advisory Committees

  • May be appointed to provide any advice on any planning decision under specific terms of reference.

Independent Planning Panels

  • Makes recommendations on submissions to planning scheme amendments
  
Making fair and transparent planning decisions

Local Government

  • Acts as responsible authority for local planning matters
  • Assesses permit applications against the planning scheme
  • Refers application for specialist input
  • May require public notice and engagement
  • May request amendments to the Planning Scheme
  • May delegate a decision to a council officer

Minister for Planning

  • Is responsible for state significant projects in some areas
  • Can refer an application for specialist input
  • May take responsibility for important decisions by calling - in
  • May delegate some decisions to DELWP

Other decision makers

DELWP

  • Delegated decision making on behalf of the Minister

VCAT

  • Decides some planning permit applications on review

Download the Planning on a Page to find out more about the social, economic and environmental drivers that inform planning in Victoria.

You can find out more about the State Government's planning system at https://planning.vic.gov.au

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