Planning Applications in Rural Areas

When applying for a planning application it is key to know your property land zone, the current and future utilities, any overlays and your legal obligations.

Find below information to help you begin your planning application, including key contacts, questions to ask, resources, guidelines and checklists.

The Planning and Environment Act 1987

This is the legislative basis for land use planning in Victoria. The Act establishes a framework for planning the use and development of land in Victoria. Planning schemes have been prepared for all Victorian local government areas. The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) is a template document from which planning schemes are constructed. The VPP provides a standard format for all planning schemes in Victoria and comprises State standard provisions that are consistent across all planning schemes and local provisions which vary between municipalities.

Rural land and planning zones

You may require a permit in land zones for a farm dwelling or a change in agricultural enterprise (e.g. a feedlot) and it should not adversely affect the land or surrounding area.

Farming Zone (FZ), Green Wedge Zone (GRZ), Green Wedge A Zone (? Acronym), Rural Activity Zone (RAZ), Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ), Rural Living Zone (RLZ).

Some councils may request a Farm Plan to assist with these permit applications.

View your property details.

The planning application process explained

All planning processes involve five phases:

1. Pre-application 2. Application 3. Assessment 4. Approval 5. Implementation (including compliance/appeals).

To ensure less application time delays DPI recommend you have:

• early discussions about why an application may or may not be approved by council or other authorities;
• a pre-application meeting held prior to the application being submitted (held with council, relevant agencies and the applicant);
• clear guidelines about which authorities to talk to about the various aspects of the application and when; and,
• a checklist of what to include in an application and Farm Plan provided at the start of the process, ensures the applicant is clear about expectations from the beginning.

In addition, applications with a Farm Plan are found to be completed sooner, resulted in better planning and were less burdensome on the landholder and council staff.

Already accessing a Land Channel interactive map of your property zone and any overlays may be beneficial to the early discussions.

Key questions to ask your council planner

To improve the time and success of your application the following are some of the questions you may ask:

• Can we have a pre-application meeting?
• What information should I bring along to this pre-application meeting?
• Is Council likely to request a Farm Plan for this application?
• If so, what detail will need to be included in the Farm Plan for this type of application/zone. Do you have a checklist?
• What authorities should I speak to before I lodge my application (and about which aspects of the application)?
• Does the council have a preference about who prepares the Farm Plan (i.e. owner of land, consultant)?
• Generally how long does it take to process an application?

Establishing a Dairy Feedpad or Feedstall?

Read the Guidelines for Victorian Dairy Feedpads and Freestalls

Application & Farm Plan Checklists

Ask your Council for a checklist or view DPI’s Checklist for Planning Applications in Rural Areas and Checklist for developing a Farm Plan.

Further Information and References

Useful websites you can check information about your property.

• Department of Planning & Community Development
  (03) 9208 3333 or 1300 366 356. DPCD leads and supports the development of liveable communities that are well planned and well designed.
  View your property details 
• Land Channel
  Find out about zones and possible overlays for your property.
  Visit Land Channel interactive maps. Reports will show: Parcel details, Utilities, Planning zone summary zones and overlays.
  Record the information relevant to your property or print off the report. There is also a basic locality map highlighting your property. This will be a fast track approach for a pre-planning meeting with your council, knowing the zone and any overlay/s that will guide what may or may not be permitted and issues to consider for any development proposal.
• DPI’s New Rural Landholders has produced a summary of issues to consider when purchasing a rural property including law and legal compliance obligations.
• View DPI’s legislative obligation overviews for the following areas: Biodiversity, Chemical Use, Occupational Health and Safety, Livestock Management, Noxious Weed and Pest Animals, Soil Management, Waste management, Water..

General Contacts

Local Council: talk to your local Council Planning Officer about who else you may need to approach.

• Department of Primary Industries
  Ph 136 186, DPI is responsible for agriculture, fisheries, earth resources, energy, and forestry in Victoria.
• Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) or ph 136 186.
  DSE leads the Victorian Government's efforts to sustainably manage water resources and catchments, climate change, bushfires, parks and other public land, forests, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.
• Environmental Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) or ph 9695 2722.
  EPA’s purpose is to protect, care for and improve our environment; responsible for matters affecting air, soil and water quality.
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (list of registered Farm Consultants)

Other authorities you may need to contact for your circumstances:

Local Water Authority, Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Country Fire Authority (CFA).