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About the declared regions

Victoria is home to a number of unique and sensitive landscapes and distinctive places highly valued for their environmental, social, cultural and economic assets. These areas are often found within the peri-urban regions of Melbourne and Victoria’s regional cities and are vital to the functioning of our urban areas, providing people with clean air, drinking water, food, resources and recreational opportunities.

The Bass Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Macedon Ranges and Surf Coast declared areas are under increasing pressure for development because of their attractiveness, accessibility and proximity to Melbourne and the regional cities of Bendigo, Geelong and Latrobe City, and because of environmental factors like the impacts of climate change. They are being protected so they can continue to be enjoyed by current and future generations.

Refer to VicPlan for maps of these areas.

Distinctive Areas and Landscapes legislation

In 2018, the Victorian Government passed landmark legislation to recognise and safeguard the state’s distinctive areas and landscapes and to achieve better coordinated decision-making by government agencies, local councils and other key parties. It enables the government to declare a distinctive area and landscape subject to meeting strict criteria.

Prior to the passing of the Planning and Environment Amendment (Distinctive Areas and Landscapes) Act 2018 the government prepared Localised Planning Statements for protecting and enhancing the valued attributes of peri-urban areas.

Statements of Planning Policy

Once declared, a Statement of Planning Policy must be prepared for the declared area in partnership with Traditional Owners, involving government agencies and authorities including local councils and local communities.

A Statement of Planning Policy will include a long-term vision of at least 50 years, policy objectives and strategies to achieve the vision, and a strategic framework plan for guiding the future use and development of land in the declared areas.

This plan may identify long-term protected settlement boundaries to ensure development does not inappropriately encroach into valued natural and rural landscapes. This provides a greater level of long-term certainty for the local community and industry regarding township growth.

Once implemented, any decision to change a boundary must be ratified by both Houses of Parliament. This is the same process in place for Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary.

A responsible public entity must not act inconsistently with any provision of the SPP that is expressed to be binding on the public entity when performing a function or duty or exercising a power in relation to the declared area.

Regarding planning scheme amendments:

  • The Minister for Planning must not approve a planning scheme amendment to a declared area planning scheme if the amendment is inconsistent with a Statement of Planning Policy for that distinctive area and landscape.
  • A responsible public entity, which is a planning authority, must not prepare an amendment to a declared area planning scheme that is inconsistent with a Statement of Planning Policy for the declared area that is expressed to be binding on the responsible public entity.

Regions

Statements of Planning Policy are in place for Bass Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Macedon Ranges and Surf Coast.

The Bass Coast is known for its valued rural and coastal landscapes, farmland, and biodiversity. The region has been under the safe stewardship of the Bunurong people for millennia and is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage. It is popular place to live, work and visit. Phillip Island attracts tourists with its beaches, wetlands, wildlife and events.

The Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) was prepared in partnership with the Bunurong people (represented by the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation) involving Bass Coast Shire Council, and other relevant government agencies and authorities. It includes a vision and integrated plan to guide land use, management, and development within the Bass Coast declared area for the next 50 years.

Following extensive community feedback, the Bass Coast SPP for the declared area was endorsed by all responsible public entities and Ministers responsible for those entities. It was finalised and approved by the Governor in Council in October 2025.

The Bass Coast SPP is operational and forms part of the Victoria Planning Provisions that guide Victoria's land use and development decision-making in Victoria.

On 9 October 2026, Amendment VC310 was gazetted, implementing the Bass Coast SPP in the Bass Coast planning scheme.

For more background on the consultation process undertaken to develop the Bass Coast SPP, including the consultation reports, visit the Bass Coast Engage Victoria consultation page.


The Bellarine Peninsula is known for its coastal setting, rural hinterland, and artisan producers. Given its proximity to Geelong and Melbourne, it has long been a place to live and visit. Its excellent beaches and historic towns make it a popular tourist destination.

The Bellarine Peninsula SPP was prepared in collaboration with the Borough of Queenscliffe, Greater Geelong City Council, the Wadawurrung, and relevant government agencies and authorities. It includes a vision and integrated plan to guide land use, management, and development within the Bellarine Peninsula for the next 50 years.

Following extensive community feedback, the Bellarine Peninsula SPP for the declared area was endorsed by all responsible public entities and Ministers responsible for those entities. It was approved by the Governor in Council and finalised in July 2023.

The Bellarine Peninsula SPP is operational and forms part of the Victoria Planning Provisions that guide Victoria's land use and development decision-making in Victoria.

On 13 February 2026, Amendment VC245 was gazetted and implemented the Bellarine Peninsula SPP in the Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe planning schemes.

For more background on the consultation process undertaken to develop the final draft Bellarine SPP, including the consultation reports, visit the Bellarine Peninsula Engage Victoria consultation page.

The Surf Coast is renowned for its excellent beaches, coastal biodiversity, and a wealth of recreation and tourism opportunities. It is also the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, a national heritage site.

The Surf Coast SPP for the declared area was prepared in collaboration with the Wadawurrung, Surf Coast Shire, Greater Geelong City Council, relevant government agencies and authorities, and with significant input from communities and key stakeholders.

Following extensive community feedback, the Surf Coast SPP for the declared area was endorsed by all responsible public entities and Ministers responsible for those entities. It was approved by the Governor in Council and finalised in July 2023.

The Surf Coast SPP will help protect the area from urban development pressure, particularly in the Torquay-Jan Juc areas of the Surf Coast, and ensure that the area's environment, landscape, and lifestyle are preserved for future generations.

The Surf Coast SPP is operational and forms part of the Victoria Planning Provisions which guide land use and development decision-making in Victoria.

On 13 February 2026, Amendment VC245 was gazetted and implemented the Surf Coast SPP in the Greater Geelong and Surf Coast planning schemes.

For more background on the consultation process undertaken to develop the final draft Surf Coast SPP, including the consultation reports, visit the Surf Coast Engage Victoria consultation page.

The Macedon Ranges region is important for its strong environmental and cultural heritage values, which contribute to its unique character. It also produces some of the best food and wine in Victoria and has attractive tourist destinations such as Hanging Rock.

On 16 August 2018, the Macedon Ranges became the first area to be declared a Distinctive Area Landscape.  A Localised Planning Statement for the Macedon Ranges was publicly exhibited and received a significant community engagement response.

The Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) was prepared in partnership with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and the Traditional Owners of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, and Wurundjeri peoples. This consultation satisfied the consultation requirements for a SPP under transition provisions for the Macedon Ranges in the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The Macedon Ranges SPP was endorsed by all responsible public entities and Ministers responsible for those entities. It was approved by the Governor in Council and subsequently finalised in December 2019.

On 30 April 2021, Amendment VC185 was gazetted and implemented the Macedon Ranges SPP in the Macedon Ranges planning scheme.

The Macedon Ranges SPP is operational and forms part of the Victoria Planning Provisions which guide land use and development decision-making in Victoria.

Localised Planning Statements

Localised Planning Statements are in place for the Mornington Peninsula, and the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

Page last updated: 16/10/26

Reference

Resource type:
Strategy
current
Published:
Last updated: