Reformed zones for Victoria
The planning zones have been reformed to ensure that they are still relevant and adequately reflect the aspirations of all Victorians. New and amended zones have now been approved by the Minister for Planning and are proposed for gazettal into the Victoria Planning Provisions by 1 July 2013.
The zone reforms have:
- simplified requirements
- allowed a broader range of activities to be considered
- improved the range of zones to better manage growth.
The Minister appointed an advisory committee to consider submissions received to the reformed zones and make recommendations about the final form of the zones and how they should be introduced.
Advisory committee reports, the government's response and the final zones
The Reformed Zones Ministerial Advisory Committee has submitted three reports to the Minister for Planning.
- Residential zones - view the report, the government's response and the final residential zones
- Commercial zones - view the report, the government's response and the final commercial zones
- Industrial zones - view the report, the government's response and the final industrial zones
- Rural zones – under consideration
Reformed Zones Ministerial Advisory Committee
The Minister appointed an advisory committee with Geoff Underwood as Chair and Chris Canavan QC, Joanna Stanley and Liz Johnstone to review all submissions and provide advice back to the government.
View the Reformed Zones Ministerial Advisory Committee - Summary of experience (DOC - 34 KB)
The advisory committee was asked to provide advice about the final form of the proposed zones and how they should be introduced, and to recommend a set of criteria to help determine the appropriate application of the reformed residential zones.
The committee was asked to submit its findings and recommendations to the government on:
- the reformed residential zones and their criteria in December 2012
- other zones in February 2013.
The Residential Zones Progress Report was provided to the Minister on 14 December 2012. The remaining two reports on the Commercial and Industrial Zones and the Rural Zones were provided on 28 February 2013 to the Minister.
View the Terms of Reference for the Reformed Zones Ministerial Advisory Committee (PDF - 1.1MB)
The advisory committee has now completed the tasks required of it under its terms of reference.
What is changing?
The Government has approved changes to Victoria's residential, commercial and industrial zones as listed below. All the rural zones are proposed to be amended.
| Delete nine existing zones | Create five new zones | Amend 12 existing zones |
| Residential 1 Zone Residential 2 Zone Residential 3 Zone Business 1 Zone Business 2 Zone Business 3 Zone Business 4 Zone Business 5 Zone *Priority Development Zone |
Residential Growth Zone General Residential Zone Neighbourhood Residential Zone Commercial 1 Zone Commercial 2 Zone |
Low Density Residential Zone Mixed Use Zone Township Zone Rural Living Zone Green Wedge Zone Green Wedge A Zone Rural Conservation Zone Farming Zone Rural Activity Zone Industrial 1 Zone Industrial 2 Zone Industrial 3 Zone |
*The Priority Development Zone will be removed from the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes through a later amendment, in consultation with local government.
Public comment was sought on the proposed zone reforms until 28 September 2012.
You can view the zones released for public consultation here
Over 2000 submissions were received and were considered by the Reformed Zones Ministerial Advisory Committee. The advisory committee’s consideration and analysis of submissions and issues was included in three reports submitted to the government.
The government considered the advisory committee’s recommendations and suggested changes to the zones and has approved final residential, commercial and industrial zones.
Find out more about the zone reforms:
- A discussion paper on reforming Victoria’s planning zones (PDF – 688 KB) or (DOC - 70 KB)
- Fact sheet: Reformed residential zones - an update March 2013 (PDF – 400 KB)
- Fact sheet: New commercial zones - an update May 2013 (PDF – 304 KB)
- Fact sheet: Improved industrial zones - an update May 2013 (PDF – 298 KB)
- Fact sheet: Improved rural zones (PDF – 324 KB) or (DOC - 58 KB)
Contact us
For enquiries about the reformed zones please contact the Victorian Government Contact Centre on 1300 366 356 (local call cost) or email us at planning.systems@dpcd.vic.gov.au.
