Structure of a planning scheme
The common structure of planning schemes in Victoria is spelled out in the Ministerial Direction under section 7(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987and the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) is a document containing a comprehensive set of planning provisions for Victoria.
A planning scheme is constructed by taking the VPP as a basic template, inserting the local vision and policy framework (the MSS and local policies), selecting the zones and overlays needed to implement these, writing the appropriate local provisions to support the zones and overlays (the schedules) and discarding the zones and overlays which are not required in the scheme.
A planning scheme must include a title page of the planning scheme and the following parts of the Victoria Planning Provisions in the same order. Each of these is described below:
Structure of a planning scheme diagram (PDF - 23 Kb)
| VPP section |
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| Title page |
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| Objectives of planning in Victoria |
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| Purposes of this planning scheme |
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| Users guide |
|
| State Planning Policy Framework |
|
| Local Planning Policy Framework |
|
| Zones (only those that are required) |
|
| Overlays (only those that are required) |
|
| Particular Provisions |
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| General provisions |
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| Definitions |
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| Incorporated Documents |
|
| *List of amendments |
|
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State Planning Policy Framework - Every planning scheme includes the State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF). The SPPF comprises general principles for land use and development in Victoria and specific policies dealing with settlement, environment, housing, economic development, infrastructure and particular uses and development. To ensure integrated decision-making, planning authorities and responsible authorities must take account of and give effect to, the general principles and the specific policies contained in the SPPF.
Local Planning Policy Framework - The Local Planning Policy Framework sets a local and regional strategic policy context for a municipality. It comprises the MSS and specific local planning policies and operates consistently with the SPPF.
Municipal Strategic Statement - A Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) is a concise statement of the key strategic planning, land use and development objectives for the municipality with related strategies and actions. The MSS is:
- linked to the council corporate plan and furthers the objectives of planning in Victoria to the extent that the SPPF is applicable to the municipality and local issues
- provides the strategic basis for the application of the zones, overlays and particular provisions in the planning scheme and decision-making by the responsile authority
- reviewed periodically to ensure that it is dynamic and that the strategic direction is revised in response to the changing needs of the community.
Local Planning Policy - A local planning policy (LPP) is a policy of the planning scheme and is one of the tools available for implementing objectives and strategies in the MSS.
An LPP is a policy statement of intent or expectation. It states what the responsible authority will do in specified circumstances or the responsible authority’s expectation of what should happen. An LPP gives a responsible authority an opportunity to state its view of a planning issue and its intentions for an area. The LPP provide guidance to decision making on a day to day basis, which is not always achievable in the VPP zones and overlays alone. It can also help the community understand how a proposal will be considered and what will influence decision making.
The LPP must be taken into account when preparing amendments to the planning scheme or making decisions under the scheme. The responsible authority must decide whether the proposal will produce desirable outcomes.
Zones - Standard zones for Statewide application are included in the VPP. These zones are used in all schemes as required. An important feature of the zones, which is reflected in the first purpose of each zone, is that they are to be administered to implement the SPPF and LPPF, including the MSS and LPPs.
Each planning scheme includes only those zones that are required to implement its strategy. There is no ability to vary the zones or to introduce local zones. Additional zones can only be introduced by an amendment to the Victoria Planning Provisions. Some of the zones have schedules to provide for local circumstances.
Overlays - In addition to the requirements of the zone, further planning provisions may apply to a site or area through the application of an overlay. Both are equally important. As with the zones, standard overlays for Statewide application are included in the VPP. Each planning scheme includes only those overlays required to implement strategy. Generally, overlays apply to a single issue or related set of issues (such as heritage, environmental concern or flooding). Where more than one issue applies to land, multiple overlays can be used. Overlays must have a strategic justification. Many overlays have schedules to specify local objectives and requirements. Generally, overlays may only make requirements about development, not use. Overlays do not change the intent of the zone.
Particular Provisions - Particular provisions are specific prerequisites or planning provisions for a range of particular uses and developments, such as advertising signs and car parking. They apply consistently across the State and there is no ability to include in planning schemes particular provisions which are not in the VPP. Unless specified otherwise, the particular provisions apply in addition to the requirements of a zone or overlay.
General Provisions - General provisions are operational requirements which are consistent across the State. They include matters such as existing use rights, administrative provisions, ancillary activities and referral of applications.
Definitions - A set of consistent Statewide definitions is included in the VPP and applies in all schemes. Defined terms are separated into General Terms, Outdoor Advertising Terms and Land Use Terms.
When writing planning scheme provisions care is taken to ensure that the terms used are consistent with their meaning in the Act or the Definition section of the scheme. Other terms have the meaning defined in the Macquarie Dictionary.
Incorporated Documents - The Planning and Environment Act 1987 allows certain documents to be incorporated in a planning scheme by reference, rather than by physically including them in the scheme.
List of Amendments - This list includes all local amendments which have amended the scheme and all amendments to the Victoria Planning Provisions which included a consequential amendment to the scheme. A brief description of each amendment is provided.
Find out more about amendments to planning schemes.
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.