Learn about the planning system in Victoria and the information and services available to assist you
Learn about the planning system in Victoria and find helpful documentation to assist you in understanding it
Find guidance for practitioners on applying and drafting planning provisions
Explore the Minister for Planning's powers, roles and responsibilities including the issuing of Ministerial directions
Find out who's responsible for planning decisions in your area
Explore the wide range of planning services offered by the department
Find links to other websites with useful planning information from Australia and the world
Learn what planning schemes are and how they work
Access all approved planning schemes in Victoria including ordinances (text), maps, Amendments and histories that describe the land use and overlays.
Search for planning information, including zones, overlays and maps, about a property or land parcel.
Search for and view details of exhibited and approved amendments to planning schemes.
Navigate your planning scheme with an explanation of each component and section, and learn about the Victoria Planning Provisions and incorporated documents
Access online planning services and tools that provide you with planning information for your property
Find templates and information for planning professionals who prepare and process amendments.
View a list of ministerial interventions for the current and previous years by the Minister for Planning in Victoria
Amendment VC148 has implemented changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and planning schemes.
Learn about planning permit applications and processes
Review general information about planning permits including processes and common types of permit applications
A faster way of dealing with low-impact, straightforward planning permit applications known as VicSmart planning assessment
View a list of applications and decisions on planning permits where the Minister for Planning is responsible for making the decision
Find out if there additional permit requirements for your application
The planning of a network of vibrant community hubs known as activity centres
The planning system's role in protecting our airports, their operations and the communities around them
The Better Apartments Design Standards have been introduced to improve the liveability and sustainability of apartments in Victoria Have your say on the Better Apartments in Neighbourhoods Discussion Paper
Planning for land use buffers and separation distances between industries and sensitive land uses
Information and resources on planning and building for bushfire in Victoria
Planning controls to guide the future development of Melbourne's central city
Planning for the protection and enhancement of Victoria's coastal areas
What development contributions are and how they’re used
Amendments to the Planning and Environment Act were introduced in 2018 to safeguard the state's distinctive areas and landscapes
Amendment VC157 requires planning approval for power lines to connect new large-scale electricity generation facilities to the electricity network. Have your say about the operation of the changes introduced
The Government Land Service changes planning provisions and corrects planning scheme anomalies for Victorian government land
The Victorian Government is improving how the Great Ocean Road Region is managed
The Great Ocean Road Region Strategy plans for the region's future land use and transport demands
Green wedges are the non-urban areas of metropolitan Melbourne that lie outside the Urban Growth Boundary
Learn how the Victorian Government is strengthening planning for Melbourne’s green wedges and agricultural land to ensure these areas are protected and supported for future generations.
There are changes to the way that greyhound keeping and training facilities are managed in Victoria's planning system
The initiatives and reforms to the planning system to be introduced as part of the Victorian Government's housing strategy
The Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy: Regional Land Use Study aims to guide the future land uses of rehabilitated mines and surrounding areas
Infrastructure Contributions fund the provision of essential infrastructure to support new or growing communities
Planning considerations for areas around major hazard facilities
The importance of open space in the community and how it is planned
A state-wide golf facilities plan developed by the Victorian Government
Find out about Plan Melbourne and the previous planning strategies for metropolitan Melbourne
Learn about approved reforms that streamline planning for public and shared housing.
Victoria's planning zones have been reviewed and reformed
Regional Growth Plans provide a broad direction for land use and development across regional Victoria
The government is considering planning scheme changes to create three new regional parks and a sports precinct
The Victorian Government has streamlined the planning assessment process for residential aged care facilities
The Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan aims to turn central Geelong into a magnet for new jobs and sustainable growth
The Smart Planning program aims to make Victoria's planning system the most efficient and responsive in the country
The planning process to consider proposals for public housing estate renewal
New guidelines to outline the assessment and development process for large-scale solar energy facilities in Victoria
Current planning protections against overshadowing for your rooftop solar system
Landscape assessment studies help to ensure that Victoria's landscapes are there for future generations to enjoy.
The Victorian Government's planning policy framework for animal industries in Victoria
Enterprise Precincts respond to changes in the economy and evolving ways of working
Much of the high quality of life enjoyed across Melbourne and Victoria is achieved through good urban design
Protecting Melbourne's waterways from inappropriate development and safeguarding public access
Find information about planning panels and committees and the role of Planning Panels Victoria
Browse the list of current planning panels and committees.
Find general information about recent planning panels and advisory committees.
View a list of guides produced by Planning Panels Victoria on their processes and hearings
Find general information about what types of reports Planning Panels Victoria prepare and view previously released reports
View senior panel member profiles and the sessional member list of Planning Panels Victoria (PPV)
Find information about Environment Effects Statements (EES), the assessment process in Victoria, and projects that have been referred for or are undergoing assessment
Browse the list of projects referred for decision on requirements for environmental assessment
Browse a list of projects under assessment for environmental impact
Learn about recently completed projects under the Environment Effects Act 1978 since 2007
In Victoria, environment assessment of the potential environmental impacts or effects of a proposed development may be required. Learn about the process involved
Learn how to submit an EES referral
The department administers the integrated assessment and approvals processes under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 on behalf of the Minister for Planning
Learn about the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria for environmental assessment
Download guidelines, advisory notes and forms relating to Environment Effects Statements
Explore planning research topics and resources
Victoria's future population projections
Interactive map providing demographic, housing and employment information for Melbourne
Download information on housing development data and spatial data commissioned to provide information on small lot residential development across Melbourne
Research and analysis reports about residential, industrial land supply in Victoria
Learn more about Victorian population bulletin
View research reports prepared by the government on regional issues
Census 2016 analysis by Land Use and Population Research
View a list of recently released and past issues of Research Matters
Learn about the legislative framework for Victoria's planning system
Learn about the Planning and Environment Act 1987, a key piece of planning legislation that provides the legal framework for Victoria’s planning system
Learn about regulations, which are statutory rules created under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Subdivision Act 1988
Learn about the fees charged by state and local authorities for planning and subdivision services
Learn about the penalties for failing to comply with the Planning and Environment Act 1987, a planning scheme or conditions on a planning permit
View a short guide to restrictive covenants and what they mean for land owners
Ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the state's building system
Learn about the regulations relating to caravan parks and movable dwellings
Information about the regulatory framework in Victoria
Learn about the building reform program
Learn about the various statutory boards and advisory committees
Information about the various national building bodies
Learn about the taskforce established to investigate and address the use of non-compliant building materials on Victorian buildings
Learn about voluntary agreements to fund cladding rectification works
Browse our library of resources and publications
Learn about the Planning Permit Activity Reporting System (PPARS) and the reports it produces
Information about accessibility guidelines for presentation of maps and visual data
View a list of Planning Advisory notes containing point-in-time information on a range of planning processes and topics
View a list of Planning Practice notes on a range of planning processes and topics
Sign up for Planning Matters, a weekly email containing information on new planning scheme amendments, planning project updates and publications
View a list of planning reform documents
Reforms to planning make it easier for Councils and developers to negotiate voluntary agreements to include affordable homes in residential developments.
Planning in the Economic Growth Zone (PEGZ) seeks to improve the planning system and ensure that development and investment can progress in a streamlined manner with greater certainty across the Latrobe Valley, Victoria (Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire and Wellington Shire).
Major reforms to simplify and modernise Victoria’s Planning Provisions have been gazetted.
Find out more about the new digital improvements that the Smart Planning team has made throughout September.
Watch what happened during our Smart Planning Roadshows.
Incorporated Documents are now available online via Planning Schemes and the Resource Library
Information and resources on planning and building for protection.
Learn more about building in bushfire prone areas and the construction standards that apply.
Check the rules about clearing vegetation to protect your property from bushfire.
