Overview
The Victorian Government through its Smart Planning program is simplifying and improving the operation of the planning system, to make it the most efficient and responsive in the country.
The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) are the planning policies and controls upon which all land use planning decisions are made.
Cumulative amendments to the VPP and local planning schemes over the past 20 years have led to increasingly long and complex planning schemes.
This has resulted in complexity, duplication, delays and uncertainty.
Changes to the VPP are being undertaken to address these issues, and make the Victorian planning system the most efficient and responsive in Australia.
VPP reform
The Reforming the Victoria Planning Provisions discussion paper was released on 16 October 2017. Feedback was sought on proposals in the discussion paper over a seven-week period, concluding on 4 December.
The discussion paper focuses on the structure and operation of the VPP. It is divided into five proposals:
- Proposal 1: A simpler VPP structure with VicSmart assessment built in (page 10)
- Proposal 2: An integrated planning policy framework (page 15)
- Proposal 3: Assessment pathways for simple proposals (page 23)
- Proposal 4: Smarter planning scheme drafting (page 30)
- Proposal 5: Improve specific provisions (page 36)
They seek to both simplify and improve the operation of the VPP, and to lay foundations for further future transformative initiatives.
Access the discussion paper under 'Relevant documents'.
Submissions
Consultation on the discussion paper concluded on Monday 4 December 2017.
Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the reform proposals contained in the discussion paper.
Comments and submissions
Read the Consultation Report:
The document below is a collation of comments and submissions provided via Engage Victoria and by email.
Emailed submissions
Written submission by organisations can be accessed below:
Next steps
Feedback received during the consultation period is now being collated and analysed. The findings of this public consultation will be shared in early 2018.
It is anticipated that finalised changes will be introduced as part of a formal amendment in mid-2018.
- Find out more on the Smart Planning rules web page
- Receive updates in your inbox by subscribing to the Smart Planning newsletter.