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  • Guide to Victoria's planning system
    • Guide to Victoria's planning system

      Learn about the planning system in Victoria and the information and services available to assist you

    • Using Victoria's planning system

      Learn about the planning system in Victoria and find helpful documentation to assist you in understanding it

    • Practitioner's Guide

      Find guidance for practitioners on applying and drafting planning provisions

    • The role of the Minister

      Explore the Minister for Planning's powers, roles and responsibilities including the issuing of Ministerial directions

    • Local planning information

      Find out who's responsible for planning decisions in your area

    • Find a planning service

      Explore the wide range of planning services offered by the department

    • Related sites

      Find links to other websites with useful planning information from Australia and the world

  • Schemes and amendments
    • Schemes and amendments

      Learn what planning schemes are and how they work

    • Browse planning schemes

      Access all planning schemes in Victoria including the Victoria Planning Provisions and scheme histories

    • Search for a planning report

      Get a planning report for a property, land parcel or crown land showing planning zones, overlays and related information

    • Browse amendments

      Search for and view details of exhibited and approved amendments to Victorian planning schemes.

    • Planning scheme structure

      Navigate your planning scheme with an explanation of each component and section, and learn about the Victoria Planning Provisions and incorporated documents

    • Planning scheme information services

      Access online planning services and tools that provide you with planning information for your property

      • PlanningVIC
      • VicPlan
      • VicPlan help
      • Zoning definition plans
      • Planning certificates
    • Amending a planning scheme

      Find templates and information for planning professionals who prepare and process amendments.

      • Planning documents on exhibition
        • Banyule - Ivanhoe C123
        • Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan
      • Map amendment requests
      • Amendment Tracking System (ATS)
        • Amendment Tracking System guides
          • Submit an amendment for Authorisation (Exhibited)
          • Submit an amendment for approval (Ministerial)
          • Submit an amendment for approval (Prescribed)
          • Submit an amendment for Exhibition (Exhibited)
        • ATS FAQs
        • Amendment Tracking System enhancements
      • Amendment documentation templates
    • Ministerial interventions

      View a list of ministerial interventions for the current and previous years by the Minister for Planning in Victoria

    • Amendment VC148 – reforms to the Victoria Planning Provisions

      Amendment VC148 has implemented changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and planning schemes.

  • Permits and applications
    • Permits and applications

      Learn about planning permit applications and processes

    • Permit process

      Review general information about planning permits including processes and common types of permit applications

      • Apply for a planning permit
      • Notice and referrals
      • Assessment and decision
      • Planning application forms
    • VicSmart

      A faster way of dealing with low-impact, straightforward planning permit applications known as VicSmart planning assessment

      • Resources for councils
    • Ministerial permits

      View a list of applications and decisions on planning permits where the Minister for Planning is responsible for making the decision

      • Conditions of use
      • Officer planning reports
      • Ministerial interventions for permit applications
      • Appeal and permit call-ins
    • Specific permit topics

      Find out if there additional permit requirements for your application

      • Alpine Resorts planning information
      • French Island, Sandstone Island and Elizabeth Island
      • Non-government schools
      • Residential development
      • Subdivision permits
        • Building envelopes
      • Wind energy facilities
        • Wind energy projects
        • Wind farm noise
      • Solar energy facilities
        • Solar energy projects
  • Policies and Initiatives
    • Policies and initiatives

      Browse a list of planning policies and current initiatives

    • 33, 35-37 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
      • Overview
    • Activity centres

      The planning of a network of vibrant community hubs known as activity centres

      • Activity centres overview
      • Structure planning
      • Activity Centre Zone and boundaries
      • Better height controls in activity centres
    • Airports

      The planning system's role in protecting our airports, their operations and the communities around them

      • Legislation and regulation
      • The National Airports Safeguarding Framework
      • Aircraft noise
      • Protected airspace
      • Current initiatives
    • Better Apartments

      The Better Apartments Design Standards have been introduced to improve the liveability and sustainability of apartments in Victoria

      • Better Apartments Design Standards
    • Big Housing Build - social and affordable housing

      Learn how approvals are being streamlined to support Victoria's economic recovery and investment in social and affordable housing

    • Buffers and separation distances

      Planning for land use buffers and separation distances between industries and sensitive land uses

    • Building Victoria's Recovery Taskforce

      Learn more about priority projects submitted for fast track to Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce

    • Bushfire protection

      Learn how the planning and building systems respond to bushfire

      • Your property
        • BMO mapping and reviews
        • Vegetation management for bushfire protection
        • Private bushfire shelters
      • Building in the BMO
        • Single dwellings in a BMO schedule
        • Single dwellings in an existing settlement
        • All other single dwellings
        • Other development
        • Outbuildings, sheds and similar buildings
        • Subdivision
      • Rebuilding and recovery
      • Building in bushfire prone areas
      • Why have rules?
      • Bushfire hazard
      • Strategic planning
      • Regulatory framework
      • Bushfire resources
    • Central City Built Form Review

      Planning controls to guide the future development of Melbourne's central city

    • Coastal planning

      Planning for the protection and enhancement of Victoria's coastal areas

      • Coastal Planning Grants Program
    • Development Facilitation Program

      Learn about how your project may be eligible for accelerated assessment and determination

    • Development contributions

      What development contributions are and how they’re used

    • Distinctive areas and landscapes

      Amendments to the Planning and Environment Act were introduced in 2018 to safeguard the state's distinctive areas and landscapes

    • Energy generation facilities and associated power lines

      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

    • Environment protection reform changes
    • Environmentally sustainable development of buildings and subdivisions
    • Extractive Resources

      Learn about how we are planning for future management of Victoria’s extractive resources

    • Government Land Planning Service

      The Government Land Service changes planning provisions and corrects planning scheme anomalies for Victorian government land

      • Policy and guidelines
      • Government Land Planning Service Site List
    • Great Ocean Road Action Plan

      Learn how the Victorian Government is improving the future management arrangements for the Great Ocean Road Region

      • Feedback
    • Great Ocean Road Region Strategy

      The Great Ocean Road Region Strategy plans for the region's future land use and transport demands

    • Green wedges

      Green wedges are the non-urban areas of metropolitan Melbourne that lie outside the Urban Growth Boundary

    • Green wedges and agricultural land

      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.

    • Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Fund

      Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC), a fund for essential infrastructure development in Melbourne’s growth areas of Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Wyndham.

      • Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Projects
      • Funding Announcements
    • Guidelines for golf course redevelopment

      Learn about the new guidelines on preparing a proposal to redevelop a golf course

      • Overview
    • Guidelines for greyhound facilities across Victoria

      There are changes to the way that greyhound keeping and training facilities are managed in Victoria's planning system

    • Housing strategy

      The initiatives and reforms to the planning system to be introduced as part of the Victorian Government's housing strategy

      • Launch Housing Applications for Review Advisory Committee
      • Inclusionary Housing Pilot
    • Infrastructure contributions

      Infrastructure Contributions fund the provision of essential infrastructure to support new or growing communities

    • Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy: Regional Land Use Study

      The Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy: Regional Land Use Study aims to guide the future land uses of rehabilitated mines and surrounding areas

    • Major hazard facilities

      Planning considerations for areas around major hazard facilities

      • Overview
      • Targeted submissions
      • Discussion paper submissions
    • Melbourne industrial and commercial land use plan

      Planning for industrial and commercial land to meet future needs

    • Open space planning

      The importance of open space in the community and how it is planned

    • Planning for Melbourne

      Find out about Plan Melbourne and the previous planning strategies for metropolitan Melbourne

      • Plan Melbourne 2017 - 2050
        • 20-minute neighbourhoods
        • Cooling and Greening Melbourne
          • Cooling and Greening Melbourne Interactive Map
          • Green Wall on the Go
          • Green our Rooftop
          • Mapping & analysis of vegetation, heat & land use
          • Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes
          • Living Melbourne: our metropolitan urban forest
        • Fishermans Bend
        • Plan Melbourne Report on Progress 2019
      • Melbourne's strategic planning history
        • Plan Melbourne 2014
        • Melbourne 2030 Audit
        • Melbourne 2030: Planning for sustainable growth
        • Melbourne @ 5 million
        • Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities
        • Planning for all of Melbourne
        • Living Suburbs (1995)
        • A plan for Melbourne's growth areas
        • Metropolitan Strategy Implementation (1981)
        • Report on General Concept Objections (1974)
        • Planning Policies for Metropolitan Melbourne (1971)
        • Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme 1954: Report
        • Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme 1954: Survey & Analysis
        • Plan for General Development (1929)
    • Planning mechanisms for affordable housing

      The Victorian Government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing

      • Resources for Implementing Affordable Housing
    • Public and shared housing reforms

      Learn about approved reforms that streamline planning for public and shared housing.

    • Reformed zones for Victoria

      Victoria's planning zones have been reviewed and reformed

      • Reformed residential zones
    • Regional growth plans

      Regional Growth Plans provide a broad direction for land use and development across regional Victoria

      • Central Highlands
      • G21
      • Gippsland
      • Great South Coast
      • Hume
      • Loddon Mallee North
      • Loddon Mallee South
      • Wimmera Southern Mallee
    • Regional parks

      The government is considering planning scheme changes to create three new regional parks and a sports precinct

      • Werribee Township Regional Park
      • Kororoit Creek Regional Park
      • Clyde Park Sports Precinct
      • Clyde Regional Park
    • Residential aged care facilities

      The Victorian Government has streamlined the planning assessment process for residential aged care facilities

    • Revitalising Central Geelong

      The Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan aims to turn central Geelong into a magnet for new jobs and sustainable growth

    • Rosemaur Gallery
      • Overview
    • Smart Planning Program

      The Smart Planning program aims to make Victoria's planning system the most efficient and responsive in the country

      • Rules reform
        • Secondary Dwelling Code
        • Local schedule updates
        • Specific Controls Overlay
      • Planning Policy Framework translation
        • PPF translation preparation
      • FAQ
      • Newsletter
      • ATS Authoring rollout
      • HTML planning schemes
    • Social housing renewal

      The planning process to consider proposals for public housing estate renewal

      • Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne
      • Bellbardia and Tarakan Estates, Heidelberg West
      • Debneys Precinct: Flemington Estate renewal
      • Gronn Place Estate, Brunswick West
      • New Street, Brighton
      • Walker Street Estate, Northcote
    • Solar Energy Facilities - Design and Development Guideline

      New guidelines to outline the assessment and development process for large-scale solar energy facilities in Victoria

    • Solar overshadowing

      Current planning protections against overshadowing for your rooftop solar system

    • South West Landscape Assessment

      Landscape assessment studies help to ensure that Victoria's landscapes are there for future generations to enjoy.

    • State Project Facilitation

      Learn about the coordinated services and delivery of Victoria’s major transport and infrastructure projects. Or contact the State Project Facilitation Service team

      • Contact the State Project Planning Facilitation service
    • Strategic Extractive Resource Areas pilot project

      Safeguarding Victoria’s resources for future growth

    • Sustainable animal industries

      The Victorian Government's planning policy framework for animal industries in Victoria

    • University of Melbourne, Fishermans Bend Campus

      Learn about amendment C371 that proposes to facilitate the use and development of land for a new campus for the University of Melbourne at 241 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne

    • Unlocking enterprise in a changing economy

      Enterprise Precincts respond to changes in the economy and evolving ways of working

    • Urban design

      Much of the high quality of life enjoyed across Melbourne and Victoria is achieved through good urban design

      • Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria
      • Activity centre design guidelines
      • Higher density residential development
      • Interim design guidelines for large format retail premises
      • Safer design guidelines
      • 3D built form modelling
      • Urban Design Charter
    • Waterways Planning

      Explore Victoria’s waterways and find out what we’re doing to protect them from inappropriate development, safeguard public access and achieve greater biodiversity

      • Key policies and strategies
      • Yarra River Planning Controls
      • Yarra River Bulleen Precinct
      • Recording cultural values along the Yarra River (Birrarung)
      • Waterways of the West
      • Rivers of the Barwon
  • Panels and committees
    • Panels and committees

      Find information about planning panels and committees and the role of Planning Panels Victoria

    • Upcoming hearings

      Download a report of upcoming hearings at Planning Panels Victoria

    • Browse panels and committees

      Browse the list of current planning panels and committees.

    • Previous panels and committees

      Find general information about recent planning panels and advisory committees.

      • 1-7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne Advisory Committee
        • Overview
      • Apollo Bay tourism resort
      • Ballarat Station Precinct
      • Bangholme Market Advisory Committee
        • Overview
      • East West Link (Eastern Section) Project
      • Edithvale and Bonbeach Level Crossing Removal
        • Overview
      • Fishermans Bend Review Panel
        • Overview
      • Flemington Hill and Epsom Road
      • Moonee Ponds Market Site
      • Greater Shepparton Solar Farm Panel
        • Overview
      • Hawkesdale and Ryan Corner Wind Farms
      • Infrastructure Design Manual
      • Lal Lal Wind Farm
      • MCG Quarries - Ombersley Quarry
      • Macedon Ranges Protection
      • Major Hazards Facilities
      • Managing Residential Development
        • Residential Zones State of Play reports
      • Melbourne C281: Games Village Project Parkville
        • Overview
      • Melbourne Metro Rail Inquiry
      • Melbourne Regional Landfill expansion
      • Mortlake South Wind Farm
      • Punt Road Public Acquisition Overlay
      • Residential Zones
      • Sorrento ferry terminal traffic
        • Overview
      • Standard Development Contributions
      • State Planning Policy Framework Review
      • Stockyard Hill Wind Farm
      • Tarran Valley Rezoning
      • Vincent Care
      • Wangaratta solar farm
        • Overview
      • Woolsthorpe Wind Farm
    • Guide to planning panels

      View a list of guides produced by Planning Panels Victoria on their processes and hearings

      • Types of panels and committees
      • Planning panel FAQs
      • Pre-setting panel hearing dates
        • Panel hearing request form
      • Guide to Privacy at PPV
      • What we do
      • Guide to the Expert Evidence
      • Making a Panel Request
    • Panel and committee reports

      Find general information about what types of reports Planning Panels Victoria prepare and view previously released reports

      • Advisory Committee reports
      • Planning Panels Victoria discussion papers
      • Planning Permit Call-in Reports
      • VCAT Appeal Call-in Reports
    • Office of Planning Panels Victoria

      View senior panel member profiles and the sessional member list of Planning Panels Victoria (PPV)

  • Environment assessment
    • Environment assessment

      Find information about Environment Effects Statements (EES), the assessment process in Victoria, and projects that have been referred for or are undergoing assessment

    • Referrals and decisions

      Browse the list of projects referred for decision on requirements for environmental assessment

    • Browse EES Projects

      Browse a list of projects under assessment for environmental impact

    • Completed projects

      Learn about recently completed projects under the Environment Effects Act 1978 since 2007

    • EES process in Victoria

      In Victoria, environment assessment of the potential environmental impacts or effects of a proposed development may be required. Learn about the process involved

    • Environment effects referrals

      Learn how to submit an EES referral

    • Major Transport Project Facilitation Act

      The department administers the integrated assessment and approvals processes under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 on behalf of the Minister for Planning

      • Regional Rail Link
    • Bilateral agreement

      Learn about the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Victoria for environmental assessment

    • EES documents

      Download guidelines, advisory notes and forms relating to Environment Effects Statements

  • Land use and population research
    • Land use and population research

      Explore planning research topics and resources

    • Victoria in Future

      Victoria's future population projections

    • Melbourne data viewer

      Interactive map providing demographic, housing and employment information for Melbourne

    • Housing development data

      Download information on housing development data and spatial data commissioned to provide information on small lot residential development across Melbourne

    • Urban Development Program

      Research and analysis reports about residential, industrial land supply in Victoria

    • Victorian Population Bulletin

      Learn more about Victorian population bulletin

    • Regional insights

      View research reports prepared by the government on regional issues

    • Census 2016

      Census 2016 analysis by Land Use and Population Research

      • Towns in time
    • Research Matters

      View a list of recently released and past issues of Research Matters

  • Legislation, regulations and fees
    • Legislation, regulations and fees

      Learn about the legislative framework for Victoria's planning system

    • Planning legislation

      Learn about the Planning and Environment Act 1987, a key piece of planning legislation that provides the legal framework for Victoria’s planning system

      • Metropolitan Planning Levy
      • Growth areas infrastructure contribution
    • Subdivision legislation

      Learn about regulations, which are statutory rules created under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Subdivision Act 1988

    • Regulations

      Learn about regulations, which are statutory rules created under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Subdivision Act 1988

    • Fees

      Learn about the fees charged by state and local authorities for planning and subdivision services

    • Penalties

      Learn about the penalties for failing to comply with the Planning and Environment Act 1987, a planning scheme or conditions on a planning permit

      • Planning infringement notices
    • Restrictive covenants

      View a short guide to restrictive covenants and what they mean for land owners

  • Building policy
    • Building Policy

      Ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the state's building system

    • Caravan parks and movable dwellings

      Learn about the regulations relating to caravan parks and movable dwellings

    • Building regulation

      Information about the regulatory framework in Victoria

    • Review of Victoria's Building System
    • Building reform

      Learn about the building reform program

    • Statutory bodies

      Learn about the various statutory boards and advisory committees

    • National building bodies

      Information about the various national building bodies

    • Review of sunsetting regulations

      Learn about the building regulations that are currently under Regulation reviews

      • Outcomes of the Building Regulations Sunset Review
      • Outcomes of the Plumbing Regulations Sunset Review
    • Swimming Pool Safety Requirements

      Learn about the safety requirements for private swimming pools and spas

    • Cladding Rectification Program
    • Cladding Rectification Agreements

      Learn about voluntary agreements to fund cladding rectification works

  • Resources
    • Resource library

      Browse our library of resources and publications

    • Planning permit activity in Victoria

      Learn about the Planning Permit Activity Reporting System (PPARS) and the reports it produces

      • Monthly Reports
        • Monthly Report: Legacy Reports
      • Quarterly Reports
      • Annual Reports
    • Communicating data with colour

      Information about accessibility guidelines for presentation of maps and visual data

    • Planning advisory notes

      View a list of Planning Advisory notes containing point-in-time information on a range of planning processes and topics

    • Planning practice notes

      View a list of Planning Practice notes on a range of planning processes and topics

    • Planning Matters

      Sign up for Planning Matters, a weekly email containing information on new planning scheme amendments, planning project updates and publications

    • Planning reform documents

      View a list of planning reform documents

    • Principal Public Transport Network
  • Have your say
  • Contact the planning team

Policies and Initiatives

Home Policies and Initiatives Planning for Melbourne Melbourne's strategic planning history A plan for Melbourne's growth areas

A plan for Melbourne's growth areas

DELWP creates liveable, inclusive and sustainable communities

  • Plan Melbourne 2017 - 2050
    • 20-minute neighbourhoods
    • Cooling and Greening Melbourne
    • Fishermans Bend
    • Plan Melbourne Report on Progress 2019
  • Melbourne's strategic planning history
    • Plan Melbourne 2014
    • Melbourne 2030 Audit
    • Melbourne 2030: Planning for sustainable growth
    • Melbourne @ 5 million
    • Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities
    • Planning for all of Melbourne
    • Living Suburbs (1995)
    • A plan for Melbourne's growth areas
    • Metropolitan Strategy Implementation (1981)
    • Report on General Concept Objections (1974)
    • Planning Policies for Metropolitan Melbourne (1971)
    • Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme 1954: Report
    • Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme 1954: Survey & Analysis
    • Plan for General Development (1929)

Overview

A plan for Melbournes growth areas cover

A plan for Melbourne's growth areas was released in 2005 and set out a strategic approach for development in Melbourne's growth areas. This included the establishment of the Growth Areas Authority. 

Full document:

  • A plan for Melbourne's growth areas (RTF, 359.9 KB)

Document in parts:

  • Cover (PDF, 140.4 KB)
  • pages 2-9 (PDF, 534.4 KB)
  • pages 10-21 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
  • pages 22-25 (Casey-Cardinia) (PDF, 1.0 MB)
  • pages 26-29 (Hume) (PDF, 1010.3 KB)
  • pages 30-33 (Melton) (PDF, 878.0 KB)
  • pages 34-37 (Whittlesea)
    (PDF, 941.7 KB)
  • pages 38-41 (Wyndham)
    (PDF, 899.9 KB)
  • pages 42-44 (PDF, 467.6 KB)

You may also be interested in . . .

Planning for Melbourne

Melbourne 2030 Audit

Activity Centres

Open Spaces

Page last updated: 08/05/19

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We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices.

We are committed to genuinely partner, and meaningfully engage, with Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to support the protection of Country, the maintenance of spiritual and cultural practices and their broader aspirations in the 21st century and beyond.

Mirring - Country, artwork by Thomas Day
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