Process guide for planning scheme amendments
This page contains information about the process of amending planning schemes. Select the relevant stage of the process below to access the information.
See also:
General information - introduction to amendments
Amendment status and documentation - view amendments, check their status and view panel or advisory committee material
The amendment process
| How to make a request | |
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| Requesting the Minister's authorisation | |
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| Preliminary investigation, strategic assessment, consultation and preparation of the amendment documentation | |
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| Public exhibition of the amendment | |
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| Making a submission and consideration by an independent panel | |
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| Council's consideration of whether to adopt or abandon the amendment | |
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| Submitting the amendment to the Minister for approval and the Minister’s consideration and decision |
Requesting an amendment
Before requesting an amendment, discuss your proposal with your council to determine if an amendment is needed or if an application for a planning permit can be made instead.
| About requesting an amendment | Using Victoria’s Planning System chapter 2 explains how to make a request. Planning: a Short Guide chapter 5 briefly explains the context and how to make a request.  Planning - a Short Guide (PDF - 538 KB) Planning_a Short Guide (DOC - 384 KB) |
| Fees | The Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000 prescribe a fee for requesting an amendment. |
| Contacts and more information | Before requesting an amendment, councils should contact the relevant DPCD Regional office. To find out which regional office deals with your municipality, see the Planning - contact us page. Council contacts |
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Authorisation
This stage covers authorisation. A council must obtain the Minister's authorisation to prepare an amendment. The Minister may authorise a council, any other Minister or public authority to prepare an amendment. The Minister may also authorise a planning authority to approve an amendment.
| About authorisation | Using Victoria's Planning System: Chapter 2 - seeking the Minister's authorisation Advisory Note: Changes to the planning scheme amendment process (PDF - 104 KB) Templates - Template for requesting authorisation When considering an authorisation request, you should first discuss the proposal with the relevant DPCD regional office which will be assessing the request. To find out which regional office deals with your municipality, see the contact details on the Planning - contact us page. |
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Preparation
This stage covers the preliminary investigation, strategic assessment, consultation with relevant parties including DPCD’s regional office and the preparation of the amendment documentation.
| About preparation | Using Victoria's Planning System: Chapter 2 - General pp 3 - 20 - Amendments in special circumstances pp 46 - 49 - Combined permit and amendment process pp 50 - 56 Strategic Assessment Guidelines April 2008 (PDF - 298 KB)These need to be considered whenever you prepare an explanatory report or report on an amendment. Preparing the documentation for a planning scheme amendment (PDF - 66 KB)Planning Practice Notes and Advisory Notes are available about a range of topics Planning and Environment Act 1987 Planning and Environment Regulations 2005 Prescribed Ministers - view on the templates page Victoria Planning Provisions Ministerial Directions A scheme amendment must comply with any relevant Ministerial Direction. |
| Templates | Templates for the preparation of amendment documentation Local provisions templates from the Ministerial Direction on the Form and Content of Planning Schemes Current planning scheme local provisions in Microsoft Word |
| Map production | DPCD provides free preparation of amendment maps to planning authorities. Contact your relevant regional office for information and assistance. |
| Planning Schemes | Planning Schemes Online to view current approved planning schemes List of local planning policies in planning schemes |
| Fees | Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000 |
| Contacts and more information | Council contacts When preparing an amendment, you should first discuss this with the relevant DPCD regional office to ensure that all requirements are met. To find out which regional office deals with your municipality, see the contact details on the Planning - contact us page. Planning publications The Department of Infrastructure library holds planning documents including older and historical hardcopy material on Victorian planning issues. The library is open to the public and is located at Level 5, 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne. Contact them on (03) 9655 8600 or email infralib@transport.vic.gov.au. If you ring prior to a visit, the library can provide some advice on availability of material. |
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Exhibition
This stage covers the public exhibition of the amendment. During this time submissions may be made to the planning authority (usually the council) about the proposal.
| About the exhibition process | Using Victoria’s Planning System (Chapter 2) explains the exhibition process, including advice about notice, exemptions and Environment Effects Statements. Planning: a Short Guide helps applicants and objectors through the amendment process. Planning - a Short Guide (PDF - 538 KB) Planning_a Short Guide (DOC - 384 KB)Planning and Environment Act 1987 Planning and Environment Regulations 2005 Preparing the documentation for a planning scheme amendment (PDF - 66 KB) |
| Submit the exhibition documents with the Department | Planning authorities should submit exhibition documents electronically with the Department at least 10 working days prior to notice being given in the Victorian Government Gazette. Contact your DPCD regional office for assistance. |
| Exhibition dates | Planning scheme amendments online |
| View the proposal | The amendment may be viewed at Planning scheme amendments online and at the relevant council offices. If documents are not available online, contact the relevant council, or the Department's relevant regional office (see the contact details on the Planning - contact us page) or email the Department at planning.schemes@dpcd.vic.gov.au. |
| About making a submission | See 'Submissions, panels & advisory committees' section below |
| Contacts and more information | Council contacts Victoria Government Gazette web site |
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Submissions, panels and advisory committees
This stage covers the consideration of submissions by an independent panel.
| About making a submission | Using Victoria’s Planning System Chapter 2 (pp 28 - 36) explains how to make a submission to an exhibited amendment. Planning: a Short Guide helps applicants and objectors through the amendment process. Planning - a Short Guide (PDF - 538 KB) Planning_a Short Guide (DOC - 384 KB) |
| About the panel hearing process | Using Victoria’s Planning System Chapter 2 (pp 28 - 36) explains the process of making and considering submissions. Planning: a Short Guide pp 32-34 briefly explains about making and considering submissions. Planning - a Short Guide (PDF - 538 KB)Planning and Environment Act 1987 Planning and Environment Regulations 2005 |
| Fees | There is no fee for making a submission. Fees payable by the person requesting the amendment are specified in the Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000. |
| About Planning Panels | Department's web page about Planning Panels and Committees |
| View the Panel’s report | Panel reports and advisory committee reports are progressively being made available online. Panel reports that are available electronically may be viewed at Planning Scheme Amendments Online. Reports are only available after the statutory release date. |
| Status of the amendment | Find out about the progress of the amendment by visiting Planning Scheme Amendments Online |
| Contacts and more information | Council contacts Planning Panels Victoria DPCD regional offices - To find out which regional office deals with your municipality, see the contact details on the Planning - contact us page. |
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Adoption
This stage covers the consideration of submissions and the panel report and the decision whether to adopt or abandon the amendment.
| About the adoption process | Using Victoria’s Planning System Chapter 2, p.37 Planning: a Short Guide briefly explains the adoption process Planning - a Short Guide (PDF - 538 KB) Planning_a Short Guide (DOC - 384 KB) Strategic Assessment Guidelines (PDF - 298 KB)These need to be considered whenever you report on an amendment. Preparing the documentation for a planning scheme amendment (PDF - 66 KB)Planning and Environment Act 1987 Planning and Environment Regulations 2005 |
| Templates | Template letter for submitting an adopted amendment for approval. |
| Fees | Fees for considering submissions and adopting an amendment are set out in the Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000 |
| Status of the amendment | Find out about the progress of the amendment by visiting Planning Scheme Amendments Online |
| Planning schemes | Planning Schemes Online to view current planning schemes. Before adopting an amendment, planning authorities should check that it aligns with the current planning scheme. |
| Contacts and more information | Council contacts Regional offices - To find out which regional office deals with your municipality, see the contact details on the Planning - contact us page. |
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Approval
This stage covers the submitting of the amendment to the Minister for Planning for approval and the Minister’s consideration and decision or approval of an amendment by a planning authority once it has been certified by DPCD.
| About the approval and certification process | Using Victoria’s Planning System (Chapter 2 pp 38 - 44) Preparing the documentation for a planning scheme amendment: Guideline (Jan 2003). This document is being revised to reflect new arrangements and processes. In the interim, please contact your DPCD regional office for assistance. Changes to the planning scheme amendment process, May 2005 (PDF - 104 KB)Planning and Environment Act 1987 Planning and Environment Regulations 2005 |
| Submit the amendment for approval or certification | Planning authorities should submit documents for approval electronically with the Department. Contact the relevant DPCD regional office for assistance. |
| Template | Template letter for submitting an adopted amendment for approval Template letter for request for certification of an amendment and notice of approval under section 35B to be submitted to the Minister. |
| Fees | Fees for submitting the amendment for approval are set out in the Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000 |
| View the amendment and check its status | Planning Scheme Amendments Online. Includes a brief description of the amendment, relevant dates and, if available, the panel report and the exhibited and approved amendment. Council contacts Victoria Government Gazette web site |
| Contacts and more information | Regional offices - To find out which Departmental regional office deals with your municipality, see the contact details on the Planning - contact us page. |
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
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