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Planning Schemes
Planning schemes set out policies and provisions for the use, development and protection of land for an area.
Each municipality in Victoria is covered by a planning scheme.
These are legal documents prepared by the local council or the Minister for Planning, and approved by the Minister.
The planning scheme is based on information and templates in the Victorian Planning Provisions reference document.
The Geelong Planning Scheme can be used to make decisions about the development and use of land within our municipality.
Planning Scheme Contents
Planning Scheme Maps (which show how the land is zoned and overlays affecting the land)
Zones reflect the primary character of land, such as residential, industrial or rural, and indicate the type of use which may be appropriate in that zone.
Sometimes, local areas have special planning controls (known as overlays), such as areas of significant vegetation or special heritage significance.
These controls are in addition to the zone controls and ensure that important aspects of the land are recognised.
An Ordinance
Sets out the written requirements of a scheme, including local policies and the types of use or development which needs a permit.
Incorporated Documents
Such as the Code of Practice for Private Tennis Court Development.
You may apply for a formal planning certificate, which tells you how the land is zoned and if any overlay controls apply to it, as shown on the planning scheme maps.
Victoria Planning Provisions
The Planning and Environment Act 1987 distinguishes between the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) and a planning scheme.
The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) is a document containing a comprehensive set of planning provisions for Victoria. It is not a planning scheme and does not apply to any land. It is a Statewide reference, used as required, to construct planning schemes.
The planning authority (usually the municipal council) must provide the local planning policy content, including a Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS), and select the appropriate zones and overlays from the VPP, for inclusion in their planning scheme. The VPP also has references to a number of incorporated documents.
When any provision in the VPP is amended, all planning schemes containing that provision are also amended. Only the Minister for Planning can amend the VPP.
Effects of a Planning scheme
Planning schemes may apply to all private and public land in Victoria. A planning scheme is binding on all people and corporations, on every Minister, government department, public authority and municipal council.
Exceptions from a Planning Scheme
Some exemptions do apply. These relate to existing use rights, exemptions declared under Section 16 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Commonwealth land and permanently reserved Crown land.
Administering a Planning Scheme
The administration and enforcement of a planning scheme is the duty of a responsible authority.
In most cases this will be a municipal council but it can be the Minister administering the Planning and Environment Act 1987 or any other Minister or public authority specified in the scheme.
A municipal council will usually act as both planning authority and responsible authority.
Planning Scheme Accessibility
The Act requires the responsible authority and municipal council, and any other person(s) whom the Minister specifies to maintain an up-to-date copy of the planning scheme, including all amendments to it and documents referred to in the scheme.
The scheme and any accompanying documentation must be made available free of charge for public inspection during office hours.
Planning schemes may also be viewed online.
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