Steps in the amendment process

The process for changing a planning scheme is set down in the Planning and environment Act 1987 and usually consists of the following steps.

On this page:

Step 1: Requesting an amendment

Before requesting an amendment, discuss your proposal with your council.

Before requesting an amendment, councils should contact the relevant DPCD Regional office.

More information

See Reference documents below for:

  • 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.
  • The Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000 - prescribe a fee for requesting an amendment.

Step 2: Authorisation

A council must obtain the Minister for Planning'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. When considering an authorisation request, council should first discuss the proposal with the relevant DPCD regional office which will be assessing the request (see Contacts below).

More information

  • Refer to Chapter 2 of Using Victoria's Planning System for information on seeking the minister's authorisation (see Reference documents below).
  • Request for authorisation (see Templates below)

Step 3: 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.

When preparing an amendment, you should first discuss this with the relevant DPCD regional office to ensure that all requirements are met (see Contacts below).

More information

See Reference documents below for:

  • Chapter 2 of Using Victoria's Planning System.
  • Planning Practice and Advisory Notes about a range of topics.
  • Planning and Environment Act and Regulations.

Step 4: 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.

Planning authorities should submit exhibition documents electronically with the department at least 10 working days prior to notice being given in the Victoria Government Gazette (see reference documents below). Contact your DPCD regional office for assistance.

More information

  • View the proposal and the exhibited amendment documentation at Planning Scheme Amendments Online. If documents are not available online, contact the relevant council or the department's relevant regional office (see Contacts below).
  • See also Reference documents below.

Step 5: Submissions, panels and advisory committees

This stage covers making submissions and the consideration of submissions by an independent panel.

More information

  • Chapter 2 of Using Victoria's Planning System and Chapter 5 of Planning: a Short Guide explain how to make a submission and help you through the process (see Reference documents below).
  • Find out more about planning panels at Planning Panels and Committees.
  • When a panel report is made available, it can be viewed at Planning Scheme Amendments Online. The progress of an amendment can also be viewed here.

Step 6: Adoption

This stage covers the consideration of submissions and the panel report and the decision whether to adopt or abandon the amendment.

More information

See Reference documents below for:

  • Using Victoria's Planning System Chapter 2
  • Preparing the documentation for a planning scheme amendment
  • Planning and Environment Act and Regulations

Find out about the progress of the amendment by visiting Planning Scheme Amendments Online.

Step 7: 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.

Planning authorities should submit documents for approval electronically with the department.

  • 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 - for submitting the amendment for approval are set out in the Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2000

Contact the relevant DPCD regional office for assistance (see Contacts below).

More information

See Reference documents below for:

  • Using Victoria's Planning System Chapter 2
  • Planning and Environment Act and Regulations

See Amendment templates below.

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.
  • Notice is published in the Victoria Government Gazette (see reference documents below).
  • Council contacts (see Contacts below)

Templates for planning scheme amendments

Templates are available to use in the preparation of planning scheme amendment documentation. They include general templates, local provisions templates and the current local provisions in Microsoft Word.

View all planning scheme amendment templates

Reference documents

Contacts

To find out which regional office deals with your local council area, see Contact planning.

To find your council's contact details go to Find your local council.

Top