Planning Panels and Committees
Planning Panels Victoria manages the conduct of individual panels which are appointed by the Minister for Planning, under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Environment Effects Act 1978.
Panels are appointed to give independent advice to the planning authority and/or Minister about a proposal and about the submissions referred to it. They are usually comprised of one or more members, depending on the complexity or significance of the matter and the type of issues that have been raised. The report issued by the Panel will make recommendations (not decisions) for consideration by the relevant planning authority and/or the Minister.
For the purpose of this document the term ‘panels’ refers to panels and advisory committees appointed by the Minister for Planning. Any differences in these two process are noted if relevant.
The different types of panels
Planning panels are established to consider submissions and report on:
- Advisory Committees considering either site specific or the reviewing of policy matters.
- Appeals called-in by the Minister for Planning, from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Environment Effects inquiries considering the environmental effects of a proposal
- Planning permit applications called in by the Minister or combined with a planning scheme amendment.
- Planning scheme amendments proposing changes to policies, planning controls and/or the zoning of an area.
VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria
The appeals dealt with by the Planning Division of VCAT generally relate to decisions that have been made about Planning Permit Applications, or in some circumstances, the failure of the Planning Authority to make any decision on an application.
Planning Panels Victoria generally deals with proposals to amend a planning scheme, usually the rezoning of a particular site, or the matters listed above.
Pre-setting panel hearing dates
Directions Hearing and Panel Hearing dates for a Planning Scheme Amendment can be arranged prior to the commencement of the exhibition period for an amendment. Further information regarding the pre-setting of dates can be found in the advisory note:
Brochures and further information
What is a Panel (revised Dec 2007) (PDF - 98 KB) General Information About Panel Hearings (PDF - 116 KB)Using Victoria’s Planning System
Planning and Environment Act 1987
Planning and Environment Regulations 1988
Contact Planning Panels Victoria
If you have any questions about panel hearing arrangements you should contact the relevant planning authority.
If the Minister for Planning is the planning authority, you should contact:
Planning Panels Victoria
Level 1
8 Nicholson Street
East Melbourne 3002
Tel: (03) 9637 9691
Fax: (03) 9637 9700
Email: planning.panels@dpcd.vic.gov.au
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