Amendment VC190 questions and answers

The amendment makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by introducing a new particular provision, Victoria’s Big Housing Build at clause 52.20. The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change will determine the proposed projects (clause 72.01).

Minister D’Ambrosio has approved the amendment.  This is necessary to avoid any conflict of interest that arises with the Minister for Planning assessing applications made on behalf of the Minister for Housing, as the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing are currently the same person.

The provision will no longer apply once the Victoria’s Big Housing Build program is complete.

The changes are effective from 1 December 2020 the day the Notice of Approval appeared in the Government Gazette.

Homes Victoria was established to deliver the Government’s objectives to increase social and affordable housing. One of Homes Victoria’s roles is to fast-track new social and affordable housing and plan for sustainable, long term growth in housing.

Where a project is made on behalf of the Director of Housing, written confirmation from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing or the Director of Housing is required to demonstrate that the application is funded, either wholly or partly, under Victoria's Big Housing.

Note: On 1 February 2021 the Department of Health and Human Services separated into new departments; the Department of Health and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The reference to Department of Health and Human Services in clause 53.20 applies to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

No. Clause 52.20 removes the need for a planning permit or scheme amendment and replaces these processes with a streamlined development approval process where the Minister approves the project and plans.

Clause 52.20:

• Requires a project to be funded under Victoria’s Big Housing Build (either partially or fully) and be carried out by or on behalf of the Director of Housing.
• Requirements in the clause must be met to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.

Where a project is proposed on behalf of the Director of Housing, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing or Homes Victoria must provide a letter confirming the project is on behalf of the Director of Housing.

More information on Victoria’s Big Housing Build.

• Exempts scheme requirements that would ordinarily apply however does not exempt certain scheme requirements such as bushfire management, environmental audits and environment effects statements.
• Requires consideration of the planning provisions that would ordinarily apply such as heritage, design and environmental issues.
• Exempts the requirement to notify surrounding properties and review of decisions, however consultation with the public and the municipal council is required.
• Includes requirements and development standards (based on ResCode and Better Apartments) to support faster decision making, certainty and the amenity of adjoining neighbours.

The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change will determine the proposed projects. Clause 72.01 of all planning schemes has been amended to facilitate this.

The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change will make a decision on a project to avoid any conflict of interest that arises with the Minister for Planning assessing applications made on behalf of the Minister for Housing, as the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing are currently the same person.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will receive and administer proposals.

Proposals must be submitted online.

The provision establishes a special planning process for the development of housing projects. This can include single dwellings, two or more dwellings on a lot such as dual occupancies, villa units or townhouses and apartment developments.

The purpose of the provision is to develop housing projects under Victoria’s Big Housing Build however, large scale developments could include associated land uses such as residential buildings, offices, shops, childcare, social and medical services.

The type or mix of dwellings (i.e social or affordable) is not a consideration of the planning permit process.

No. Clause 52.20-5 requires a proponent to submit a report that addresses the proposed use and how it responds to purposes, objectives, or statements of significance or risk of any zone, overlay, or other provision that would apply were it not for the exemptions in clause 52.20-2. This includes a land use that would ordinarily be prohibited.

The provision applies to all land in a planning scheme except for land in an industrial zone, rural zone and Port Zone. Clause 52.20 specifies a number of other circumstances where the provision does not apply.

No. Clause 52.20-2 exempts any requirement of this planning scheme to obtain a permit or any provision that prohibits the use or development of land. Clause 52.20-1 and 52.20-2 specify some matters that the provision or exemptions do not apply to.

The provision exemptions do not apply to:

• The subdivision of land.
• Land in an industrial zone, rural zone and Port Zone.
• A use or development to which the following clauses (including a schedule to a clause) apply:
  • Clause 51.01, Specific Sites and Exclusions
  • Clause 45.12, Specific Controls Overlay
• A use or development that would not require a permit were it not for this exemption (clause 52.20-2)
• A requirement in the following clauses (including a schedule to a clause):
  • Clause 44.06, Bushfire Management Overlay
  • Clause 45.03, Environmental Audit Overlay
  • Clause 45.07, City Link Project Overlay
  • Clause 45.08, Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay
  • Clause 51.03, Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan
  • Clause 52.02, Easements Restrictions and Reserves.
• A use or development that is inconsistent with an applicable Statement of Planning Policy.
• A development for which an environment effects statement has been, or is required to be, prepared under the Environment Effects Act 1978.

This will mean that if a development site is affected by an overlay such as an Environmental Audit Overlay the requirements of that overlay apply and must be met in accordance with the planning scheme.

No. Clause 52.20 requires assessment against development standards at clause 52.20-6 for all development and 52.20-7 for apartments. The residential development standards are based on the existing ResCode and Better Apartment Standards with modifications to suit social and affordable housing and a streamlined assessment process.

The development standards are designed to allow for flexible decision making. The standards are not mandatory. A standard should be met but can be varied at the discretion of the responsible authority.

No. However clause 52.20-5 requires a proponent to submit a report that addresses the proposed use or development and how it responds to purposes, objectives, or statements of significance or risk of any zone, overlay, or other provision that would apply to the use or development were it not for the exemption in clause 52.20-1. This includes consideration of height requirements or prohibitions.

No. VicSmart requirements at clause 71.06 do not apply.

No. The development standards of clause 52.20-6.7 apply. They set requirements for the provision of car spaces, dimensions and access similar to the car parking particular provision.

Yes. However, it is likely this provision will be used to develop larger scale development including multiple dwellings and housing precincts.

Yes. Clause 52.20 is not a permit process. This means that owners and occupiers such as neighbours will not be given notice of a permit application or be able have and third party review of a decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

The requirements to refer permit applications set out in clause 66.01 do not apply. Clause 52.20-5 requires the comments of referral authorities if the use or development would require a permit were it not for the permit exemption of clause 52.20-2.

Consultation with the public and the relevant municipal council and the consideration of their responses is a requirement of clause 52.20-4.

Homes Victoria are committed to early and ongoing engagement of proposals. More information on the Big Housing Build can be found at:  https://www.vic.gov.au/homes-victoria-big-housing-build

Clause 52.20 includes development standards (based on ResCode and Better Apartments) to protect the amenity of adjoining neighbours. This includes standards for:

• Front setbacks (reduced)
• Side and rear setbacks
• Walls on boundaries
• Overshadowing open space
• Overlooking.

Some requirements such as setbacks to adjoining dwellings are greater than existing standards for apartment buildings.

The referral requirements of section 55 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 do not apply however clause 52.20-5 requires the comments of a referral authority on the proposed use or development to be submitted.

Clause 52.20-5 requires a proponent to submit a report that addresses the proposed use or development and how it responds to purposes, objectives, or statements of significance or risk of any zone, overlay, or other provision that would apply to the use or development were it not for the exemption in clause 52.20-1. This includes consideration of design and the character of the neighbourhood.

Clause 52.20-5 requires the submission of a design review report prepared by a suitably qualified architect or urban designer that demonstrates how the project achieves good quality design outcomes.

Yes. Clause 52.20-7.1 requires apartment developments to be energy efficient. In addition, Homes Victoria has committed to new dwellings meeting a 7 Star NaTHERS energy rating which is greater than standard requirements.

No. The provision applies from 1 December 2020. A permit applicant could withdraw a current application and lodge the proposal under clause 52.20.

As part of the pre-application process Homes Victoria will contact and liaise with councils before lodgement of a project.

DELWP will refer the project application to council once it is lodged for comments and draft conditions. If comments are not received within 14 calendar days from the date of referral, DELWP may make a decision without council input.

The Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change is the responsible authority for a development under clause 52.20 to ensure that there is no perceived or actual conflict of interest between the Minister for Planning’s discharge of powers because he is also the Minister for Housing.

No. The exemptions in the provision do not apply to requirements in clause 52.02, Easements, Restrictions (including restrictive covenants) and reserves.

A mandatory cultural heritage management plan may be required for specified activities on land pursuant to section 46(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

This provision is not a permit process. Existing permit applications could be withdrawn. It is recommended that any objectors to the application be notified of the new process and the status of the application and their objection.

No. Clause 52.20-1 states that this clause applies to the use or development of land that is funded wholly or partly, under Victoria’s Big Housing Build program; and carried out by or on behalf of the Director of Housing. Before lodging a proposal, proponents must contact Homes Victoria to ensure the proposal can meet this provision.

This provision is not a permit process. Current permit applications can be continued or withdrawn. An existing permit can be acted on. If an application is withdrawn and replaced by a new proposal under clause 52.20, it is recommended that any objectors/submitters to an current application be notified of the new proposal and the status of the current application.

No. The provision does not apply to the subdivision of land. A permit is usually required to subdivide land and clause 53.01, Public Open Space Contribution and Subdivision could then apply.