Get involved in Planning
How to have your say and keep informed about planning issues, applications and consultations
Our website provides access to information about planning issues, development applications and projects. These often include community consultation processes and committees established to advise on planning reviews, development applications and amendments to planning schemes.
On this page:
Planning consultations
Find out how to get involved and have your say on specific planning reviews.
Current consultations
Loddon Mallee South Regional Growth Plan
Comments are sought on a draft regional growth plan and close on 17 May 2013.
Recent consultations
Melbourne Ferries Background Study
Comments were sought on a background discussion paper and closed on 30 April 2013.
A new Metropolitan Planning Strategy
Be part of a shared vision for Victoria by participating in discussions, sharing ideas and aspirations on a new metropolitan planning strategy for Melbourne.
Comments on a discussion paper, Melbourne, Let's Talk About the Future closed on 28 March 2013.
Loddon Mallee North Regional Growth Plan
Comments on a Strategic Directions brochure closed on 28 February 2013.
South West Landscape Assessment Study
Comments on the draft Landscape Analysis Papers closed on 8 February 2013.
This study assesses the visual character and significance of the landscapes of the south west region of Victoria.
Advisory committees
From time to time the Minister for Planning convenes an advisory committee to consider and make recommendations about planning issues. These issues may be broad policy matters or deal with specific site development proposals.
Current advisory committees
The following advisory committees have been established:
Ballarat West Development Contributions Plan
The committee has been appointed to provide advice on the development contributions plan for the Ballarat West growth area.
Moonee Valley Racecourse Redevelopment
Appointed to provide advice on all relevant matters associated with the proposed redevelopment of the Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Standard Development Contributions Advisory Committee
A proposed framework for standardised development contribution levies has been released for public comment.
Recent advisory committees
Armstrong Creek West Precinct Advisory Committee
The Committee reviewed the Precinct Structure Plan and Development Contributions Plan for the Armstrong Creek West Precinct as well as all documents and submissions relating to the Greater Geelong C240 planning scheme amendment.
More information is available on the City of Greater Geelong website
Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee
The Committee advised the Minister for Planning how Victoria's land-use planning and development controls can best support government policy for managing the coastal impacts of climate change.
Healesville - Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade Advisory Committee
VicRoads proposes to upgrade Healesville - Koo Wee Rup Road between the Pakenham Bypass and the South Gippsland Highway.Logical Inclusions Advisory Committee
Established to review the merits of land, previously considered in 2009, for inclusion within the Urban Growth Boundary.
Potentially Contaminated Land Advisory Committee
The Committee examined the existing planning controls and processes for potentially contaminated land.
Urban Growth Boundary Anomalies Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee provided advice on proposals for inclusion of land within the Urban Growth Boundary in non-growth area councils.
Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee
Established to provide advice on ways of improving the planning system in Victoria. The Advisory Committee Report and the Government's response have now been released.
Previous advisory committee reports
Find reports from previous advisory committees
Planning Panels Victoria
Planning Panels Victoria is responsible for managing independent panels, advisory committees, Ministerial call-ins and environmental assessment inquiries.
- More information about Planning Panels Victoria
- Types of panels and committees
- Schedule of hearings and current panels and committees
Environmental assessment
Public involvement and comment is sought at key stages of the environmental assessment processes in Victoria. This includes when Draft Scoping Requirements for an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) are exhibited and when an EES is exhibited by a proponent.
More information about the EES processes in Victoria
Current opportunities for public comment
Western Highway Duplication - Ararat to Stawell
VicRoads proposes to duplicate the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell (Section 3), as part of a larger project to upgrade the Western Highway from Ballarat to Stawell. The Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the project, together with draft planning scheme amendments have been released for public comment.
Comments closed on the Draft EES on 14 February 2013.
Western Highway Duplication - Beaufort to Ararat
VicRoads proposes to duplicate the Western Highway between Beaufort and Ararat (Section 2) as part of a larger project to duplicate the highway between Ballarat and Stawell. The Environment Effects Statement (EES) for this project, together with draft planning scheme amendments have been released for public comment.
Comments closed at 5:00pm on Thurday 25 October 2012.
Other projects
- View the list of projects that have been referred for assessment
- View the projects that are either under assessment or have recently had an assessment completed
Amendments to planning schemes
Exhibited amendments
Amendments to planning schemes are placed on exhibition and published in the Government Gazette.
View a list of amendments that are currently on exhibition or recently approved
Planning Scheme Amendments Online
Find up-to-date information on the status of amendments to all planning schemes in Victoria. View amendment documentation at the exhibition and approval stages of the amendment process.
More information and access to Planning Scheme Amendments Online
Planning applications
Planning permit applications give permission for a use or development on a particular piece of land.
Once a planning application has been submitted to the responsible planning authority, usually a council, it is considered a public document.
Most planning applications are advertised by the local council and if you are directly affected you should receive a notice about the proposal.
Anyone may inspect an application and can make a written submission to the responsible authority.
Applications lodged in SPEAR
Permit applications may be lodged online using SPEAR (Streamlined Planning through Electronic Applications and Referrals). SPEAR allows online lodgement of planning permit applications including lodgement, referrals, public viewing, determination by council, and appeals to VCAT.
Applications lodged directly with local councils
The majority of plannng applications are still lodged directly with the local council.
If the application is not in SPEAR then contact your local council.
Applications where the Minister for Planning is the responsible authority
For some areas of Victoria the Minister for Planning is the responsible authority for approving permit applications.
- Find out where the Minister is responsible
- Access the Minister's Planning Permit Application Register to view applications lodged in these areas
Applications that have been referred to or called in by the Minister for Planning
The Minister for Planning is able to call in planning application appeals being reviewed by VCAT or being considered by a council.
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