Overview
On 21 September 2018, the Victorian Government introduced planning reforms for animal industries.
The reforms deliver on key actions to clarify and simplify the planning framework to support the growth of animal industries, while protecting the environment and community amenity.
Amendment VC150 introduced the changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes.
Project background
In September 2015, the Minister for Planning appointed the Animal Industries Advisory Committee to investigate how the planning system could better support animal industries in Victoria, while balancing environmental outcomes and community expectations.
Advisory Committee Report
In April 2016, the Animal Industries Advisory Committee released a final report which identified a broad range of issues that have affected Victoria’s farmers, local government and the community in recent years. The report made 37 recommendations for improving the way Victoria's planning system regulates animal industries.
Government response
In October 2016, the Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Planning released Planning for sustainable animal industries, the Victorian Government’s cross-departmental response to the Animal Industries Advisory Committee’s Final Report. Planning for sustainable animal industries sets out 12 actions outlining the Victorian Government’s strategic direction for planning for animal industries in Victoria.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is responsible for the delivery of three of these actions, which comprises a package of reforms to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) to facilitate greater clarity and certainty for local government planners, industry and the community.
Final report
The Government report, Planning reforms for animal industries, outlines the final reform package and how it responds to the feedback from stakeholders.
The package of reforms to the VPP were developed in conjunction with Agriculture Victoria and were subject to extensive engagement with the community, local government, the industry and other government agencies. Consultation activities comprised of public exhibition of the draft reforms, public information sessions across rural and regional Victoria, and subsequent targeted engagement with selected stakeholders.
More information
For further information about the Planning for Sustainable Animal Industries program refer to the Agriculture Victoria website.
If you have any questions about the reforms, please contact the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning via email: planning.systems@delwp.vic.gov.au
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Documents
2018 Reform fact sheets
- Animal Industries Zoning Table (PDF, 157.0 KB)
- Poultry Farms (PDF, 150.1 KB)
- Pig Farms (PDF, 149.8 KB)
- Intensive Animal Production (PDF, 148.1 KB)
- Grazing Animal Production (PDF, 151.5 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning practice notes
- Planning Practice Note 63: Applying for a planning permit to farm broiler chickens (PDF, 132.2 KB) or (DOCX, 56.3 KB)
- Planning Practice Note 86: Applying for a planning permit for a pig farm (PDF, 116.5 KB) or (DOC, 168.5 KB)
- Planning Practice Note 87: Preparing a planning permit application for animal production (PDF, 123.5 KB) or (DOCX, 47.8 KB)
Incorporated documents and guidelines
- Victorian Code for Broiler Farms 2009 (plus 2018 amendments) (PDF, 4.8 MB) or (DOCX, 283.7 KB)
- Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots, August 1995 (PDF, 7.9 MB)
- Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Pig Farm Planning Permit Guidelines (DEDJTR, 2018) (PDF, 661.5 KB) or (DOC, 98.5 KB)
- Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines (DEDJTR, 2018) (PDF, 592.6 KB) or (DOC, 77.0 KB)
Other resources
- Information sheet - Model conditions for animal production planning permits (DEWLP, 2018) (PDF, 133.0 KB) or (DOCX, 37.5 KB)
- Guidelines for grazing and intensive animal production are on the Agriculture Victoria website