Planning schemes, amendments, zones, overlays, local policy

This page contains practice notes and advisory notes published by DPCD about planning schemes, amendments, zones, overlays and local policy planning.


On this page:

Processing amendments

PN46: Strategic Assessment Guidelines (PDF - 298 KB)
The purpose of the Strategic Assessment Guidelines is to provide a consistent framework for the evaluation of a proposed planning scheme amendment and the outcomes it produces. The guidelines should be used by:

  • proponents (including councils) when formulating a proposal
  • the planning authority when preparing an amendment
  • any planning panel and advisory committee when considering an amendment
  • the planning authority when considering the final construction and adoption of an amendment
  • the Department when considering an amendment submitted to the Minister for approval.

    See also Strategic Assessment Guidelines Checklist (Word - 196 KB)

    AN34: Addressing the Transport Integration Act 2010 in a planning scheme amendment, January 2011, AN34 (PDF - 221KB)
    This advisory note draws attention to the requirements of the Transport Integration Act 2010 on planning authorities and other 'interface bodies' whose decisions can have a significant impact on transport in Victoria.

    AN11: Reducing amendment timeframes by pre-setting panel hearing dates, July 2007 (PDF - 41 KB)
    This advisory note explains how to pre-set a directions hearing and panel hearing date for an amendment prior to exhibition.

    AN06: Changes to planning scheme amendment process, May 2005 (PDF - 104 KB)
    This advisory note provides information and advice about the changes to the planning scheme amendment process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as amended by the Planning and Environment (General Amendment) Act 2004.

    AN12: A protocol for fast tracking amendments, March 2007 (PDF - 51 KB)
    This advisory note sets out a ‘fast track’ protocol to reduce the time frame for amendments that remove redundant provisions and covers the fast track procedure; suitable types of amendments; using the provisions of section 20(2) of the Act and information about other processes to remove redundant provisions.

    AN11: Reducing amendment timeframes, February 2007 (PDF - 48 KB)
    This advisory note provides information and advice about action taken by the Department of Planning and Community Development to reduce timeframes for responding to amendments initiated by Councils. The advisory note covers: the performance targets for amendment processes; DPCD actions to reduce amendment timeframes and future changes to streamline amendments.

    Reviewing schemes

    PN04: Writing a Municipal Strategic Statement, September 2010, PN4 (PDF - 809 KB)
    This practice note clarifies the role of the Municipal Strategic Statement in planning schemes and provides guidance on its preferred format and how it should be written.

    PN08: Writing a Local Planning Policy, September 2010, PN8 (PDF - 319 KB)
    This practice note provides guidance on the role of Local Planning Policy in planning schemes, the need for a Local Planning Policy and how one should be written.

    PN59: The role of mandatory provisions in planning schemes, September 2010, PN59 (PDF - 154 KB)
    A mandatory provision is a requirement or control that must be met and provides for no opportunity to vary the requirement. Planning scheme provisions are predominantly performance based, allowing a degree of flexibility in how the outcome is achieved. This practice note sets out criteria that can be used to determine whether mandatory provisions may be appropriate.

    PN32: Review of planning schemes, February 2006 (PDF - 109 KB)
    The Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires planning authorities to regularly review the provisions of the planning scheme. This practice note explains what a planning scheme review is and suggests a process for conducting and reporting the review. See also Continuous Improvement Review Kit, February 2006 (PDF - 1.8 MB)

    PN13: Incorporated and reference documents, August 2000 (PDF - 43 KB)
    The purpose of this practice note is to:

    • explain the role of external documents in planning schemes
    • explain the difference between incorporated documents and reference documents
    • provide guidance on when a document should be incorporated into a planning scheme
    • explain how reference documents should be used in planning schemes.

    Applying zones and overlays

    PN56: Activity Centre Zone, September 2009, PN 56 (PDF - 539 KB)
    This practice note explains the function of the Activity Centre Zone, provides guidance on how to apply it and assists councils in tailoring the zone schedule to accord with their centre's adopted structure plan.

    PN47: Urban Growth Zone, June 2008 (PDF - 482 KB)
    This practice note explains the purpose and provisions of the Urban Growth Zone (UGZ) and the role of precinct structure plans in the UGZ.

    PN23: Applying the Incorporated Plan and Development Plan Overlays, January 2003 (PDF - 243 KB)
    The Incorporated Plan Overlay (IPO) and the Development Plan Overlay (DPO) are the preferred tools for supporting plans. The purpose of the practice note is to:
    • explain the functions of the IPO and DPO
    • provide advice about when these tools should be used
    • provide guidance on how to use these tools to achieve site planning requirements.

      PN03: Applying the Special Use Zone, February 1999 (PDF - 131 KB)
      This practice note provides guidance about the appropriate use of the Special Use Zone in planning schemes.

      PN02: Applying the Public Land zones, republished June 2011 (PDF - 241 KB)
      This practice note provides guidance about using the public land zones in planning schemes.

      PN01: Applying the Heritage Overlay, February 1999 (PDF - 103 KB)
      This practice note provides guidance about the use of the Heritage Overlay in planning schemes.

      AN03: Applying the Residential 3 Zone, November 2004 (PDF - 82 KB)
      This advisory note provides information and advice about the provisions of the Residential 3 Zone and how the Residential 3 Zone can be introduced into planning schemes.

      PN42: Applying the rural zones, March 2007 (PDF - 128 KB)
      This practice note guides planning authorities about the strategic work required to apply the Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Rural Conservation Zone and Rural Living Zone; the features and purposes of each zone and where each may be applied to achieve a planning authority's rural strategic planning objectives.

      AN02: New Zones for Rural Victoria, June 2004 (PDF - 42 KB)
      This advisory note provides information and advice about the introduction of the new rural zones into the Victoria Planning Provisions.

      Writing schedules

      PN10: Writing Schedules, May 2000 (PDF - 581 KB)
      This practice note:

      • explains the role of schedules in planning schemes
      • provides guidance on how schedules should be written
      • provides practical examples of the use of schedules

      More information

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