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.
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Proposal 1: A simpler VPP structure with VicSmart assessment built in

Read about 'Proposal 1' from page 10 of the discussion paper.

Please indicate below whether you/your organisation agree, disagree or are unsure about each section of Proposal 1.

1.1 Restructure and reform the particular provisions
1.2 Integrate VicSmart into appropriate particular provisions and overlay schedules
1.3 Consolidate all administrative provisions

Proposal 2: An integrated planning policy framework

Read about 'Proposal 2' from page 15 of the discussion paper.

Please indicate below whether you/your organisation agree, disagree or are unsure about each section of Proposal 2.

2.1 Integrate state, regional and local planning policy
2.2 Simplify the Municipal Strategic Statement
2.3 Expand policy themes
2.4 Create a clearer and simpler structure for policy making
2.5 Set new rules and guidelines for writing policy

Proposal 3: Assessment pathways for simple proposals

Read about 'Proposal 3' from page 23 of the discussion paper.

Please indicate below whether you/your organisation agree, disagree or are unsure about each section of Proposal 3.

3.1 Embed a VicSmart assessment pathway in appropriate particular provisions and overlay schedules
3.2 Introduce new code-based assessment provisions for simple proposals to support small business, industry and homeowners

Proposal 4: Smarter planning scheme drafting

Read about 'Proposal 4' from page 30 of the discussion paper.

Please indicate below whether you/your organisation agree, disagree or are unsure about each section of Proposal 4.

4.1 Create a new VPP user manual
4.2 Establish a business unit dedicated to VPP and planning scheme amendment drafting
4.3 Create an online Victorian planning library

Proposal 5: Improve specific provisions

Read about 'Proposal 5' from page 36 of the discussion paper.

Please indicate below whether you/your organisation agree, disagree or are unsure about each section of Proposal 5.

5.1 Improvements to specific provisions

Please scroll to Appendix 2 below to answer these questions.

5.2 Update the definitions section of the VPP
5.3 Regularly review and monitor the VPP

Appendix 2: Improvements to specific provisions


The following is a list of possible reforms to specific provisions that potentially deliver the improvements set out in section 5.1 of the discussion paper.

Please refer to Appendix 2 (page 45) in the discussion paper for more detail on each specific provision.

1. All zone schedules

Review all zone schedules having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

2. All zones

Review zones having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

3. All Residential Zones

Review residential zones having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

4. Mixed Use Zone

Review the Mixed Use Zone having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

5. Industrial 1 Zone

Review the Industrial 1 Zone having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

6. Industrial 3 Zone

Review the Industrial 3 Zone having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

7. Commercial 2 Zone

Review the Commercial 2 Zone having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

8. All rural zones

Review the rural zones having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

9. Farming Zone

Review the Farming Zone farming having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

10. Urban Floodway Zone

Review the Urban Floodway Zone having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

11. Urban Growth Zone

Review the Urban Growth Zone having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

12. All overlays

Review all overlays having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

13. Environmental and landscape overlays

Review all environmental and landscape overlays having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

14. Heritage overlay

Review the heritage overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

15. Development plan overlay

Review the development plan overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

16. Neighbourhood character overlay

Review the neighbourhood character overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

17. Land management overlays

Review all land management overlays having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

18. Erosion management overlay

Review the erosion management overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

19. Salinity management overlay

Review the salinity management overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

20. Floodway overlay

Review the floodway overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

21. Land subject to inundation overlay

Review the land subject to inundation overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

22. Special building overlay

Review the special building overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

23. Airport environs overlay

Review the airport environs overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

24. City Link Project overlay

Review the City Link Project overlay having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

25. Specific sites and exclusions

Review specific sites and exclusions having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

26. Car parking

Review car parking having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

27. Earth and energy resources industry

Review earth and energy resources industry having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

28. Uses with adverse amenity potential

Review uses with adverse amenity potential having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

29. Service stations

Review service stations having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

30. Car wash

Review car wash having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

31. Motor vehicle, boat or caravan sales

Review motor vehicle, boat or caravan sales having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

32. Telecommunications facility

Review telecommunications facility having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

33. Licensed premises

Review licensed premises having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

34. Gaming

Review gaming having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

35. Land adjacent to a road zone category 1 or a public acquisition overlay for a category 1 road

Review land adjacent to a road zone category 1 or a public acquisition overlay for a category 1 road having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

36. Bicycle facilities

Review bicycle facilities having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

37. Post boxes and dry stone walls

Review post boxes and dry stone walls having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

38. Residential development and subdivision

Review residential development and subdivision (Clause 54, 55, 56 and 58) having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

39. Metropolitan green wedge land

Review metropolitan green wedge land having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

40. General provisions

Review general provisions having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

41. Decision guidelines

Review decision guidelines having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

42. Referral and notice provisions

Review referral and notice provisions having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

43. General terms

Review general terms having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

44. Land use terms

Review all land use terms having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

45. Land use terms (regarding commerical battery storage facilities)

Review land use terms having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

46. Nesting diagrams

Review nesting diagrams having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

47. Incorporated documents

Review incorporated documents having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

48. Practice notes

Review planning practice notes having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

49. Technology and the availability of documents

Review planning systems having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

50. Section 173 agreements

Review section 173 agreements having regard to the details outlined in the discussion paper

If you would like to upload any documents to support to your submission, please attach them here

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.