Planning Advisory notes provide point-in-time information about new initiatives, and changes to specific Victoria Planning Provisions and planning scheme provisions, processes and subjects. Advisory notes are not updated. This page provides a listing of all currently available Planning Advisory Notes.

Information in an advisory note should be read and understood in context with the specific planning initiative being implemented, only providing relevant information at the date of the advisory note. Planning Practice Notes provide ongoing departmental advice about relevant planning issues.

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53 results found

AN01: Planning provisions for Melbourne's Green Wedges

Information and advice about the Planning and Environment (Metropolitan Green Wedge Protection) Act 2003, Core Planning Provisions for Metropolitan Green Wedge Land and the application of zones to green wedge land.

Date published: November 2003

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Peri-urban

AN04: Interim Height Limits for Neighbourhood Centres

Information and advice about how to apply an interim height limit to a neighbourhood centre and the provisions of the DDO schedule: Interim Neighbourhood Centre Height Limit Area.

Date published: November 2004

Category/ies: Urban design and development

AN05: Changes to the planning permit process

Information and advice about the changes to the planning permit process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as amended by the Planning and Environment (General Amendment) Act 2004 including: what a time limit on further information means; how an application can be amended; what the responsible authority and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal must consider when making a decision; how a permit can be amended; and transitional provisions.

Date published: May 2005

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Permit applications

AN06: Changes to the planning scheme amendment process

Information and advice about the changes to the planning scheme amendment process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as amended by the Planning and Environment (General Amendment) Act 2004. Covers: authorisation to prepare and procedures for approval of an amendment and for approval by a planning authority; certification; effect on current amendments and on amendments in Green Wedge areas.

Date published: May 2005

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Planning scheme amendments

AN09: Changes to the gaming provisions in planning schemes

Information about changes in 2006 to the gaming provisions in the Victoria Planning Provisions and planning schemes, including changes to Clauses 19, 52.28 and 72.

Date published: October 2006

Category/ies: Particular provisions

AN11: Reducing amendment timeframes

Information about action taken by the Department of Sustainability and Environment to: reduce timeframes for responding to amendments initiated by councils including the performance targets for amendment processes; reduce amendment timeframes and future changes to streamline amendments.

Date published: February 2007

Category/ies: Planning scheme amendments

AN12: A Protocol for Fast Tracking Amendments

Sets out a ‘fast track’ protocol to reduce the time frame for amendments that remove redundant provisions. It covers: the fast track procedure and suitable amendment types; using the provisions of section 20(2) of the Act; and other processes to remove redundant provisions.

Date published: March 2007

Category/ies: Planning scheme amendments

AN13: Interim Provisions for Structure Plans

Advice about how to request interim provisions for structure plans, when the Minister will agree to introduce interim provisions for structure plans and how interim provisions for structure plans are implemented in the planning scheme.

Date published: March 2007

Category/ies: Urban design and development

AN14: New Planning Provisions for Melbourne Airport

Advises about the background to the introduction of the new Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay controls into the Victoria Planning Provisions, the application of the new Overlay controls, their main features and how they affect existing uses, permits, permit applications and approved development.

Date published: May 2007

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Transport, aviation and shipping

AN16: Amendment VC49

Information about changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and planning schemes made by Amendment VC49 including: removal of permit requirements for minor matters; changes to the Heritage Overlay and Clause 52.05 advertising sign provisions; new exemptions for native vegetation removal in Clause 52.17 and a number of environmental and land management overlays; revised provisions for native vegetation precinct plans; changes to referral and notice requirements for certain matters; introduction of public transport considerations for new development.

Date published: September 2008

Category/ies: Environmental management; Heritage; Particular provisions; Permit applications; Transport, aviation and shipping

AN17: New Exemptions for Native Vegetation Removal in Planning Schemes

Information about the exemptions for native vegetation removal introduced as part of Amendment VC49, affecting Clauses 52.17 as well as the Environmental Significance, Vegetation Protection, Significant Landscape, Erosion Management and Salinity Management Overlays. These provisions require that a planning permit be obtained to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation. Each provision also includes specific exemptions that enable native vegetation to be removed without the need for a planning permit if it is related to certain activities.

Date published: September 2008

Category/ies: Environmental management; Permit applications

AN18: Amendment VC56 - Government Funded Education Facilities

Information about the introduction of Clause 52.40 Government funded education facilities which supports the development of school facilities funded under the Building Education Revolution Program – part of the Commonwealth’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

Date published: May 2009

Category/ies: Particular provisions

AN19: Amendment VC56 - Government Funded Social Housing

Information about the introduction of Clause 52.41 Government funded social housing which supports the development of social housing projects funded under the Social Housing Initiative – part of the Commonwealth’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

Date published: May 2009

Category/ies: Particular provisions; Residential development

AN22: Amendment VC60

Information about changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and planning schemes made by Amendment VC60 about renewable energy, wind and solar energy facilities, maritime precinct policy, river health, broiler farms, native vegetation exemptions, subdivision of land in more than one zone and minor matters including construction of cat cages and other domestic animal enclosures.

Date published: September 2009

Category/ies: Coastal; Environmental management; Particular provisions; Rural; Subdivision

AN25: New Car Parking Provisions

Information about changes to the car parking provisions in Clause 52.06 of the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes, and the new Parking Overlay to be introduced to the VPP. It explains the background to and main features of the new car parking provisions and how they affect existing uses, permit applications and approved parking precinct plans.

Date published: June 2012

Category/ies: Particular provisions; Urban design and development

AN27: The New State Planning Policy Framework

Detail about the revised State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF). Amendment VC71 introduced a revised SPPF, modernised with new themes and an improved structure, to accommodate new and emerging state policies, improve policy expression and help strengthen its links with the Local Planning Policy Framework.

Date published: September 2010

Category/ies: Planning schemes

AN28: Amendment VC69 Waste Transfer and Materials Recycling Facilites

Explains the changes made by Amendment VC69 to the Victoria Planning Provisions and planning schemes to provide guidance on the application of Clause 52.10 – Uses with adverse amenity potential for the new resource recovery purpose group, and on the new particular provision for resource recovery facilities at Clause 52.45, and outlines the intention for further changes to the waste transfer and materials recycling facility provisions.

Date published: August 2010

Category/ies: Environmental management; Particular provisions

AN29: Amendment VC66 Regional Blueprint

Information about changes - including introducing the Regional Victoria Settlement Framework, settlement hierarchy and regional settlement principles - that affect the policy and strategic context for planning for development in regional and rural Victoria by changing Clauses 12 and 14 of the State Planning Policy Framework, and which establish a consistent projected population growth period of 15 years across Victoria for considering land supply.

Date published: July 2010

Category/ies: Planning schemes; Residential development; Rural

AN30: Amendment VC68 Delivering Melbourne's Newest Sustainable Communities

Information about the changes made by Amendment VC68 which facilitate key policy directions of Melbourne 2030: a planning update – Melbourne @ 5 million, The Victorian Transport Plan and Freight Futures: Victorian Freight Network Strategy, integrated land use and transport initiatives of Delivering Melbourne’s Newest Sustainable Communities, expanding the Urban Growth Boundary around Melbourne’s growth areas and the designation of non-urban land and land potentially suitable for urban development, reserving land for the Regional Rail Link Section 2 (west of Werribee to Deer Park) and the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor establishing grassland reserves in Melbourne’s west.

Date published: August 2010

Category/ies: Peri-urban; Planning schemes; Transport, aviation and shipping

AN31: Amendment VC71: The Revised State Planning Policy Framework

Information about changes made by Amendment VC71 which introduces a revised State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF), policies from Melbourne @ 5 Million and the Victorian Integrated Housing Strategy into the SPPF, a new Clause 52.46 for brothels, and a change to Clause 52.02 Easement, Restrictions and Reserves.

Date published: September 2010

Category/ies: Particular provisions; Planning schemes; Residential development

AN33: Amendment VC83 - Community Fire Refuge and Private Bushfire Shelter Exemptions

Detail about the new planning permit exemptions for buildings and works associated with a community fire refuge and a private bushfire shelter at Clauses 52.48-3 and 52.48-4.

Date published: November 2011

Category/ies: Hazards

AN35: Amendment VC78 - Wind Energy Facility Provisions - Clause 52.32

Information about changes made by Amendment VC78 to promote greater consideration of the effects of a Wind energy facility proposal on the local community, include additional application requirements, amend the decision guidelines, make local councils the responsible authority for all wind energy facility permits and updating reference to the most recent edition of the Policy and Planning Guidelines.

Date published: March 2011

Category/ies: Environmental management; Particular provisions; Permit applications

AN38: Planning and Environment Amendment (Schools) Act 2012

Information about the changes introduced by the Planning and Environment Amendment (Schools) Act 2012 which amends the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to ensure that the subdivision of land or the making of a building permit application for a school does not trigger a requirement to pay a Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution.

Date published: February 2012

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Peri-urban; Permit applications; Subdivision

AN39: Amendment VC83 - Bushfire protection - Vegetation Exemptions

Information about new Clause 52.48 Bushfire protection: exemptions, which provides vegetation removal exemptions around buildings used for accommodation and along fencelines.

Date published: November 2011

Category/ies: Environmental management; Hazards; Particular provisions

AN40: Amendment VC83 - Bushfire Protection Planning Provisions

Information about the bushfire planning provisions introduced by Amendment VC83 including Clause 13.05 – Bushfire, the Local Planning Policy Framework, the Bushfire Management Overlay Clause 44.06, Bushfire protection: planning requirements Clause 52.47, Bushfire protection: exemptions Clause 52.48, native vegetation Clauses 52.16 and 52.17 and overlays which seek to manage vegetation, Decision guidelines Clause 65, Referrals Clause 66 and Definitions Clause 72.

Date published: November 2011

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Environmental management; Hazards; Particular provisions; Permit applications

AN41: New Subdivision (Procedures) Regulations 2011

Information about the new Subdivision (Procedures) Regulations 2011 - to regulate the plan certification process and associated matters - which commenced on 8 October 2011 and revoked the Subdivision (Procedures) Regulations 2000.

Date published: October 2011

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Subdivision

AN46: Bushfire Management Overlay Mapping Methodology and Criteria

Outlines the mapping methodology and criteria used to determine where the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) will apply.

Date published: August 2013

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Hazards

AN47: Amendments VC82 and VC91 Changes to Wind Energy Facility Provisions

Information about changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes made by Amendments VC82 and VC91.

Date published: July 2012

Category/ies: Environmental management; Particular provisions

AN48: Ministerial Direction No. 15 - The Planning Scheme Amendment Process

Information about Ministerial Direction No.15 which sets times for completing steps in the planning scheme amendment process.

Date published: September 2012

Category/ies: Planning scheme amendments

AN49: Amendment VC81 Telecommunications Services and Facilities in Subdivisions

The Victorian Government has been working with the Commonwealth’s Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy to review and upgrade the associated statutory controls and regulations. Amendment VC81, introduced on 18 February 2013, amends the Victoria Planning Provisions to simplify the planning processes associated with the delivery of telecommunications facilities in new subdivisions.

Date published: June 2013

Category/ies: Permit applications; Subdivision

AN51: Commencement of Stage 1 of the Planning and Environment Amendment (General) Act 2013

Information about the commencement of Stage 1 of the Planning and Environment Amendment (General) Act 2013 (the General Act). The General Act implements a number of government election commitments and introduces process improvements and red tape reductions to reduce paperwork, simplify key planning processes and promote quick decision making. It amends the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and public open space requirements in the Subdivision Act 1988 and makes consequential amendments to the Local Government Act 1989.

Date published: July 2013

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Open space; Permit applications

AN52: Reformed Residential, Commercial and Industrial Zones for Victoria

Information about the reformed zones introduced into the Victoria Planning Provisions by Amendment V8 and Amendment VC100. It explains why the zones were reformed, their main features, their implementation and how the reformed zones affect planning schemes, permits and permit applications.

Date published: July 2013

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Permit applications; Planning schemes

AN53: Reformed Rural Zones for Victoria

Information about the reformed rural zones introduced into the Victoria Planning Provisions by Amendment VC103. It explains why the rural zones were reformed, their main features and how the reformed rural zones affect planning schemes, permits and permit applications.

Date published: September 2013

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Permit applications; Planning schemes; Rural

AN54: Stage 2 of the Planning and Environment Amendment (General) Act 2013

Information about Stage 2 of the Planning and Environment Amendment (General) Act 2013 (the General Act), which introduces process improvements to reduce paperwork, simplify key planning processes and promote quick decision making. Stage 2 includes amendments to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Subdivision Act 1988 as well as consequential amendments to the Planning and Environment Regulations 2005, the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes, and the Ministerial Direction on the Form and Content of Planning Schemes and Minister’s Directions No.11 - Strategic Assessment of Amendments and No.15 - The Planning Scheme Amendment Process.

Date published: October 2013

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Open space; Permit applications; Planning scheme amendments; Planning schemes; Subdivision

AN55: VicSmart Planning Assessment

VicSmart Plannng Assessment is a planning permit process for straight forward proposals. Amendment VC114 introduces the VicSmart planning assessment provisions into the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes.

Date published: August 2014

Category/ies: Permit applications; Planning schemes

AN56: Planning for Ports and their Environs

An overview of changes made through Amendments VC94 and VC112 to protect the ongoing operation of Victoria’s commercial trading ports. It provides guidance and information to applicants and responsible authorities about preparing and assessing a permit application on port land and its environs.

Date published: October 2014

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Permit applications; Transport, aviation and shipping

AN61: VC124 Changes to wind energy facility provisions and vegetation provisions

Amendment VC124 amends the wind energy facility provisions to reduce the allowable distance of a turbine to a dwelling from two kilometres to one kilometre with the landowner's consent. It also makes the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for all planning permit applications for the use and development of a wind energy facility. This advisory note provides information about these changes.

Date published: April 2015

Category/ies: Permit applications

AN62: VC119 Bushfire replacement buildings

AN62 provides information about the changes to Clause 52.39 – Bushfire – Replacement Buildings made by Amendment VC119.

Date published: April 2015

Category/ies: Hazards; Permit applications; Residential development; Rural

AN63: Planning and Environment Amendment (Recognising Objectors) Act 2015

Provides guidance about the requirement that responsible authorities and VCAT consider the number of objectors to a permit application in considering whether a proposed use or development may have a significant social effect.

Date published: October 2015

Category/ies: Legislation and regulations; Permit applications

AN64: Transitional arrangements for metropolitan growth area infrastructure contributions

Sets out transitional arrangements for levying infrastructure contributions in metropolitan greenfield growth areas upon commencement of the new Infrastructure Contributions Plan System on 27 October 2016, to ensure a smooth transition from the existing Development Contributions Plan System.

Date published: October 2016

Category/ies: Applying zones and overlays; Open space; Peri-urban; Planning schemes; Residential development; Urban design and development

AN65: Amendment GC48 - Yarra River Protection Planning Controls

Date published: February 2017

Category/ies: Planning scheme amendments; Planning schemes

AN66: New planning provisions for apartment developments - Amendment VC136

Provides information about the changes made to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by Amendment VC136 to introduce new standards for apartment developments in Victoria.

Date published: April 2017

Category/ies: Particular provisions; Residential development

AN67: Amendment VC142

This advisory note provides information about Amendment VC142 which makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and planning schemes arising from the Smart Planning Program.

Date published: January 2018

Category/ies: Hazards; Heritage; Particular provisions; Permit applications; Transport, aviation and shipping

AN68: Bushfire State Planning Policy VC140

This advisory note clarifies the operation of the updated framework and strategies introduced by Amendment VC140, which updated policy in Clauses 10 and 13.05 in the State Planning Policy Framework to provide more directive strategies to manage bushfire risk in planning and decision making.

Date published: March 2018

Category/ies: Environmental management; Hazards; Planning scheme amendments

AN69: Amendment VC143

This advisory note provides information about Amendment VC143 which makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to improve the operation of the residential zones.

Date published: May 2018

Category/ies: Residential development

AN71: Amendment VC148 - Planning Policy Framework (PPF)

This Advisory Note provides information about the Planning Policy Framework (PPF) introduced by Amendment VC148.

Date published: July 2018

Category/ies: Planning scheme amendments; Planning schemes

AN72: Amendment VC148 - Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and planning schemes

This Advisory Note provides information about changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and planning schemes introduced by Amendment VC148.

Date published: July 2018

Category/ies: Particular provisions; Planning scheme amendments; Planning schemes

AN73: New requirements for a planning authority to consult Environment Protection Authority

Ministerial Direction No.19 and Ministerial Requirement for information ensure that a planning authority seeks early advice from Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) when undertaking strategic planning and preparing a planning scheme amendment that may result in significant impacts on the environment, amenity and human health due to pollution and waste.

Date published: October 2018

Category/ies: Environmental management; Planning scheme amendments

AN74: Amendment VC152

This advisory note provides information about the changes made to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and all planning schemes by Amendment VC152, relating to: Major hazard facilities; Residential aged care facilities; and Public and shared housing.

Date published: October 2018

Category/ies: Hazards; Particular provisions; Planning scheme amendments; Residential development

AN75: Amendment VC154 - Stormwater management

This advisory note provides information about the changes made to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by Amendment VC154 to introduce new stormwater management provisions for urban development and amend State planning policies related to integrated water management.

Date published: October 2018

Category/ies: Environmental management; Particular provisions; Permit applications; Residential development; Subdivision; Urban design and development

AN76: Amendment VC165 - Non government schools

This advisory note provides information about the introduction of planning scheme provisions to streamline the planning process for non-government schools.

Date published: December 2019

Category/ies: Particular provisions; Permit applications

AN79: Amendment VC217 Decriminalising sex work

This advisory note explains changes to be introduced by Amendment VC217 to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and all planning schemes which will come into operation on 1 December 2023. It should be read in conjunction with the Amendment VC217 Explanatory Report.

Date published: June 2022

Category/ies:

AN80: Amendment VC226 - Telecommunications facilities

This advisory note explains changes to the telecommunications planning provisions introduced by Amendment VC226 to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and all planning schemes which came into operation on 4 November 2022. It should be read in conjunction with the VC226 Explanatory Report.

Date published: January 2023

Category/ies: Particular provisions

Page last updated: 11/05/22