Victoria Planning Provisions

A set of standard provisions for planning schemes called the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) is created by the Minister for Planning under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act). These provisions form a template for all planning schemes.

From time to time the Minister issues directions to planning authorities about the form and content of planning schemes, guiding how they’re constructed.

More about the VPP

The VPP is used to source and construct planning schemes. It’s not a planning scheme and doesn’t apply to any land.

The VPP and the Ministerial Direction on the Form and Content of Planning Schemes ensure that the construction and layout of planning schemes is consistent across Victoria. It provides the framework, standard provisions and State planning policy.

The planning authority (usually the local council) must provide the local planning policy content, including a Municipal Planning Strategy, and must select the appropriate zones and overlays from the VPP for inclusion in their planning scheme.

The VPP also references incorporated documents common to all planning schemes.

The suite of standard zones in the VPP is designed to be flexible, so State and local policies need to provide clear guidance for decision makers and applicants. 

Amending the VPP

Amendments to the VPP are made as needed to keep the VPP up to date and abreast with changes in policy and practice.

Amending the VPP is similar to the planning scheme amendment process, but only the Minister for Planning - or other Minister, public authority or local council authorised by the Minister - can prepare an amendment to the VPP. Only the Minister for Planning can approve an amendment to the VPP.

An amendment to the provisions of the VPP will also amend planning schemes which include those provisions. When the VPP amendment is approved, the schemes are amended at the same time.

The Minister, the responsible authority, each local council and any person whom the Minister specifies, must keep an up to date copy of the VPP available for public inspection during office hours.