The new Unlocking Strategic Sites pathway will streamline and fast-track the planning process for surplus land across Victoria.
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The Development Facilitation Program will be expanded to include the new Unlocking Strategic Sites pathway.
This program will identify opportunities for the repurposing and redevelopment of land, including but not limited to former industrial or institutional sites, as well as golf courses, racing tracks, and surplus university-owned land.
The new pathway is a key initiative of the Victorian Economic Growth Statement, which aims to strengthen Victoria’s economy through job creation, enhanced investment opportunities, and a focus on priority sectors.
It complements existing Development Facilitation Program pathways, which streamline and fast-track the planning permit process for shovel-ready, state-significant projects that boost investment, keep people in jobs and create more homes and facilities for Victorians.
This new pathway is designed for projects that do not yet include a planning permit application for development but would be suitable for a planning scheme amendment pursuant to Section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act, 1987.
How councils and industry can access this new pathway
The Department of Transport and Planning invite Councils and industry to provide an expression of interest (EOI) for suitable surplus sites that could be rezoned through the new Development Facilitation pathway.
To join the new Unlocking Strategic Sites Planning pathway, EOI requests must meet specific eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria are centred on three key themes:
location and scale
complexity
delivery confidence
The EOI must be:
supported by state, regional and local planning policy as identified in the Victoria Planning Provisions and the relevant planning scheme for which the land is situated
supported by and aligned with the actions and initiatives of Victoria’s Housing Statement: The decade ahead 2024-2034
supported and aligned with the actions and initiatives of Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement, Victoria: Open for Business, 2024
The use and development of the land will raise a major issue of policy or have a substantial effect on the future planning of the area.
The land is located within a defined ‘settlement boundary’ or, where a settlement boundary is not present, adjacent to an urban zone under the relevant planning scheme.
The land which is the subject of the Expression of Interest is two hectares or greater in size.
Relevant to Residential use Expression of Interests only: The Expression of Interest must include at least 10 per cent affordable housing as defined under section 3AA of the Planning and Environment Act, 1987.
The EOI:
will be adequately provided with civil infrastructure and services
will be supported by servicing agencies
can resolve matters relating to contamination, flooding, bushfire, biodiversity, heritage and transport
includes the delivery of public benefits.
The EOI will:
provide evidence to demonstrate that investment is committed or available to deliver the rezoning and subsequent development of the land
will demonstrate it has been unreasonably delayed by the planning system
will demonstrate that a planning permit application will be submitted within 12 months of the rezoning of the land being finalised.
The land that is subject to the EOI process cannot be:
land subject to authorisation or direction by the Minister for Planning for the Victorian Planning Authority to prepare or implement a plan for an identified precinct
land that forms part of the Victorian Planning Authority’s industrial land program
land located in the Green Wedge Zone
land located in an Urban Growth Zone where a Precinct Structure Plan has not been prepared
land with major outstanding contamination, flooding, bushfire, biodiversity, heritage and transport issues
subject to the requirement for an assessment under the Environmental Effects Act 1978
contrary to the Melbourne Industrial and Commercial Land Use Plan.
Expression of interest process
The EOI process will be open on the Engage Victoria platform for a period of 8 weeks and will conclude on 17 November 2025.
Successful applicants from the EOI process will be subject to a robust and thorough planning assessment process. The pathway will provide a way for the Minister for Planning to become the planning authority for matters that, in the opinion of the Minister are of state or regional significant.
DTP will engage with referral authorities, local governments, and seek the views of adjoining property owners and potentially affected parties, as required by the planning scheme.
Relevant authority and community views will be considered in DTP’s planning assessment.
All submissions to the EOI must be made on the Engage Victoria website.
Project guidelines
For more information on the EOI process and submission requirements, you can access the 'Unlocking Strategic Sites' project guidelines.
