Planning schemes, amendments, zones, overlays, local policy
This page contains practice notes and advisory notes published by DPCD about planning schemes, amendments, zones, overlays and local policy planning.
Amendments | Processing amendments | Reviewing schemes | Applying zones and overlays
Amendments
- renewable energy
- maritime precinct policy
- river health
- broiler farms
- native vegetation exemption clarification
- subdivision of land in more than one zone
- a number of minor matters including domestic animal enclosures
- permit requirements for minor matters
- the Heritage Overlay
- advertising signs
- native vegetation exemptions and precinct plans
- referrals
- public transport guidelines.
Amendment VC60, September 2009, AN 22 (PDF - 220 KB)This advisory note provides information about changes introduced to the VPP and planning schemes by Amendment VC60 on 21 September 2009, including:
Amendment VC49, September 2008 (PDF - 188 KB)This advisory note provides information about changes introduced to the VPP and planning schemes by Amendment VC49 on 15 September 2008, including:
- proponents (including councils) when formulating a proposal
- the planning authority when preparing an amendment
- any planning panel and advisory committee when considering an amendment
- the planning authority when considering the final construction and adoption of an amendment
- the Department when considering an amendment submitted to the Minister for approval.
Strategic Assessment Guidelines (PDF - 298 KB)The purpose of the Strategic Assessment Guidelines is to provide a consistent framework for the evaluation of a proposed planning scheme amendment and the outcomes it produces. The guidelines should be used by:
Strategic Assessment Guidelines Checklist template (DOC - 196 KB) Reducing amendment timeframes by pre-setting panel hearing dates, July 2007 (PDF - 41 KB)This advisory note explains how to pre-set a directions hearing and panel hearing date for an amendment prior to exhibition.
Advisory Note Changes to planning scheme amendments process, May 2005 (PDF - 104 KB)This advisory note provides 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.
A protocol for fast tracking amendments, March 2007 (PDF - 51 KB)This advisory note sets out a ‘fast track’ protocol to reduce the time frame for amendments that remove redundant provisions and covers the fast track procedure; suitable types of amendments; using the provisions of section 20(2) of the Act and information about other processes to remove redundant provisions.
Reducing amendment timeframes, February 2007 (PDF - 48 KB)This advisory note provides information and advice about action taken by the Department of Planning and Community Development to reduce timeframes for responding to amendments initiated by Councils. The advisory note covers: the performance targets for amendment processes; DPCD actions to reduce amendment timeframes and future changes to streamline amendments.
- provides guidance on the need for a Local Planning Policy and clarifies its role in planning schemes
- provides guidance on the form of a Local Planning Policy and how one should be written.
- explain the role of external documents in planning schemes
- explain the difference between incorporated documents and reference documents
- provide guidance on when a document should be incorporated into a planning scheme
- explain how reference documents should be used in planning schemes.
Review of planning schemes, February 2006 (PDF - 109 KB)The Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires planning authorities to regularly review the provisions of the planning scheme. This General practice note explains what a planning scheme review is and suggests a process for conducting and reporting the review. See also
Continuous Improvement Review Kit, February 2006 (PDF - 1.8 MB) Writing a local planning policy, December 1999 (PDF - 262 KB)This VPP Practice Note:
Format of municipal strategic statements, February 1999 (PDF - 258 KB)This VPP Practice Note sets out the preferred format for the Municipal Strategic Statement in planning schemes.
Incorporated and reference documents, August 2000(PDF - 43 KB)The purpose of this VPP Practice Note is to:
- explain the functions of the IPO and DPO
- provide advice about when these tools should be used
- provide guidance on how to use these tools to achieve site planning requirements.
Activity Centre Zone, September 2009, PN 56 (PDF - 539 KB)This practice note explains the function of the Activity Centre Zone, provides guidance on how to apply it and assists councils in tailoring the zone schedule to accord with their centre's adopted structure plan.
Urban Growth Zone, June 2008 (PDF - 482 KB)This VPP Practice Note explains the purpose and provisions of the Urban Growth Zone (UGZ) and the role of precinct structure plans in the UGZ.
Applying the Incorporated Plan and Development Plan Overlays, January 2003 (PDF - 243 KB)The Incorporated Plan Overlay (IPO) and the Development Plan Overlay (DPO) are the preferred tools for supporting plans. The purpose of the VPP practice note is to:
Applying the Special Use Zone, February 1999 (PDF - 131 KB)This VPP Practice Note provides guidance about the appropriate use of the Special Use Zone in planning schemes.
Applying the Public Land zones, February 1999 (PDF - 83 KB)This VPP Practice Note provides guidance about using the public land zones in planning schemes.
Applying the Heritage Overlay, February 1999 (PDF - 103 KB)This VPP Practice Note provides guidance about the use of the Heritage Overlay in planning schemes.
Applying the Residential 3 Zone, November 2004 (PDF - 82 KB)This advisory note provides information and advice about the provisions of the Residential 3 Zone and how the Residential 3 Zone can be introduced into planning schemes.
Applying the rural zones, March 2007 (PDF - 128 KB)This practice note guides planning authorities about the strategic work required to apply the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Rural Conservation Zone and Rural Living Zone; the features and purposes of each zone and where each may be applied to achieve a planning authority's rural strategic planning objectives.
New Zones for Rural Victoria, June 2004 (PDF - 42 KB)This advisory note provides information and advice about the introduction of the new rural zones into the Victoria Planning Provisions.
Please note:Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.