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
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 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
Learn more about activity centres
Guidance for seeking and negotiating affordable housing agreements
Discover the planning system's role in protecting our airports, their operations and the communities around them
Information and resources on planning and building for bushfire in Victoria
Learn how the planning system implements state coastal policy and strategy in Victoria
Learn about the Government Land Service which changes planning provisions and corrects planning scheme anomalies for Victorian government land
Learn about Australia's largest urban renewal project
Learn how the Victorian Government is improving the future management arrangements for the Great Ocean Road Region
Learn about the Great Ocean Road Region Strategy which plans for the region's future, set priorities and make decision on land use and transport demands
The non urban areas of metropolitan Melbourne that lie outside the Urban Growth Boundary are known as green wedges
Learn about the planning system initiatives and reforms that will be introduced as part of the Victorian Government’s housing strategy – Homes for Victorians: Affordability, access and choice
A summary of the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy: Regional Land Use Study program and series of public engagement opportunities.
Learn about localised planning statements which are being prepared for state significant distinctive areas within Melbourne's green wedge and peri-urban areas
Learn about the actions that the Victorian Government is taking to protect the highly valuable Macedon Ranges region
Learn more about the importance of open space in the community and how it is planned
Learn about the work the Victorian Government is doing to develop a state-wide golf facilities plan
Learn about Plan Melbourne, the current metropolitan planning strategy and previous plans
Find out about the projects and programs that are reforming Victoria's planning system
Learn about the Regional Growth Plans which provide broad direction for land use and development across regional Victoria
Learn about the process to consider planning scheme changes to create three new regional parks and a sports precinct.
New requirements to protect your rooftop solar system from overshadowing
Comment on the draft Solar Energy Facilities Design and Development Guidelines
Learn about the South West Landscape Assessment Study which helps to ensure Victoria's coastal landscapes are there for future generations to enjoy
Learn how Enterprise Precincts are being promoted through new policy and reforms to the planning system to 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
Explore Melbourne’s waterways and find out what we’re doing to protect them from inappropriate development and safeguard 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 the profiles of senior panel members and the list of sessional members of Planning Panels Victoria
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
Interactive map providing demographic, housing and employment information for Melbourne
Learn about Victoria's future population projections
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
Learn about the regulations relating to caravan parks and movable dwellings
Learn about the building reform program, which aims to improve protection from home building malpractice
Learn about the building regulations that are currently under Regulation reviews
Learn about the boards, committees and panels established under the Building Act and Architects Act
The Victorian Government encourages consumers and the building industry to incorporate easy living features into new housing and apartment design and construction
Learn about the taskforce established to investigate and address the use of non-compliant building materials on Victorian buildings
The Victorian Government has completed the review of the Plumbing Regulations 2008 in accordance with the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994
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
As part of our Smart Planning program of improvements, we’re excited to launch our updated website. The update brings better search and new, intuitive navigation.
The Government took advice from the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) regarding potential change within Federation Square and design consideration of the Apple proposal.
Would you like to have a role in overseeing the strategic management of the Yarra River?
Pioneering new planning legislation to protect Victoria’s most iconic, cultural and historic areas has been introduced into the Victorian Parliament.
The Living Heritage Grants Program is providing $36.5 million over four years to protect and revitalise the state’s most important heritage places.
The Smart Planning program this week launched VicPlan – a new state-wide map viewer for accessing location-based zone and overlay information.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has partnered with the University of Melbourne and Medley Hall to introduce the DELWP Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship for students commencing a Bachelor of Design in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning with a major in Urban Planning.
New apartment design standards have been introduced to create more liveable and sustainable apartments for Victorians.
Have your say and help safeguard the Yarra River and its landscapes.
Have your say into the future land uses of the rehabilitated coal mine voids and surrounding areas.
As part of our ongoing commitment to continually improve VicPlan, we want your feedback
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.
How to apply for a VicSmart planning permit under the Special Building Overlay (PDF, 558.1 KB) or (DOCX, 22.3 KB)