Victorian Planning Provisions: Amendments
The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) is the source document containing standard provisions which may be selected and included in Planning Schemes in Victoria. The VPP includes the State Planning Policy Framework, standard zones, overlays, particular provisions, general provisions and definitions.
Recent announced amendments to the Victorian Planning Provisions have major implications for the State’s Housing Statement, a policy designed to respond to Melbourne’s anticipated growth in population to 2051. These amendments have raised much vocal concern amongst residents in our region, particularly those affected by the planning scheme for Boroondara.
The amendments of most concern are VC257, VC267 and VC274.
- VC257 introduces the Housing Choice and Transport Zone and the Built Form Overlay into the Victorian Planning Provisions
- VC267 make modifications for the VPP and all planning schemes where there are two or more dwellings on a lot and residential buildings. The amendment modifies the operation and requirements for dwellings up to three storeys, and insets a new clause for residential buildings of four storeys
- VC274 introduces the Precinct Zone (PRZ) to support housing and economic growth in priority precincts across Victoria in line with Victoria’s Housing Statement and the Victorian Governments vision for priority precincts, including Suburban Rail Loop precincts
An Upper House Inquiry into these amendments
The Select Committee on Victoria Planning Provisions Amendments VC257, VC267 and VC274 was set up to inquire into, consider and report whether the amendments to the Victorian Planning Provisions made through VC257, VC274 and VC267 give proper effect to the objectives of planning in Victoria, and the objectives of the planning framework, as set out in section 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Hearings for the inquiry will begin this Thursday 17 April 2025 with further hearings to be held on Tuesday 29 April 2025 and Wednesday 30 April 2025. The inquiry will hand down its final report on Tuesday 13 May 2025.
The Committee is inviting submissions to the inquiry. The closing date for submissions is 24 April 2025.
The Committee is particularly interested in your views on:
- Whether the VPP amendments appropriately balance the objectives of planning in Victoria.
- Whether the VPP amendments are likely to create any significant unintended outcomes.
- Whether consultation on the VPP amendments was adequate.
- Whether the exemptions provided for in Clause 55 of the VPP, as amended by VC267, are appropriate.
- What specific changes would you seek to the amendments?
- Whether the VPP that existed prior to these amendments, these amendments, or alternative proposals are appropriate to meet the housing needs of the state and local communities?
To find out more about the Inquiry and how to make a submission, go to https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/vppams.
16 April 2025
Victorian Government’s Planning Strategy
Paul Hamer MP
Melbourne is a growing city and will have a population in excess of 9 million in the 2050s. This is not a statement of ambition, but rather an estimate based on current population growth trends – factors outside the control of state government. However, all levels of government have a responsibility to take a long-term approach to ensure that there is housing, services and infrastructure available for our growing population.
What makes a city a pleasant place to live? Lessons for city planners from travel.
Robbert Veerman
I’m sitting in my hotel room on the 5th floor in Istanbul scanning the city skyline and there are street trees taller than the buildings. There is no sense that the buildings are jarring in style with their neighbours.
In the outer suburbs closer to the airport there are clusters of eight to a dozen six storey apartment blocks with green space between and a surrounding ring of green. The one-hour shuttle ride from the airport to our city hotel encountered only one set of traffic lights.
In Amsterdam, a city with just on 1 million people at its centre, the trams and trains are quality built and people-friendly with multi lingual information displays and verbal announcements in several languages.
Billboards in Amsterdam are everywhere just like at home but the tone of messages seems much less aggressive. Rather than monster utes devouring the bush, the message is much less about keeping up with the Joneses or getting rich quick. The message often reflects a more sympathetic approach to social questions such as immigration or family violence, and advocacy for personal responsibility.
Much the same can be said of Paris except that its extraordinary rail system deserves special mention.
While such aspects as discussed here can be unobtrusive at first glance, it is probable they reflect the history and cultural values inherent in that city. These cities pay attention to meeting the needs of humans and a commitment to social equity and inclusiveness. This in turn encourages a stronger sense of community and security that enhances the liveability of these cities.
1964, the year everything began to change.
RMIT Professor Michael Buxton is well known for his urban activism and academic publications. But he has turned to a new type of urban analysis in a coming of age novel centred on a group of school students graduating at the end of 1963.
His novel 1964 follows their progress through the year as they leave the security of school to discover unfamiliar workplaces and an escalating series of confronting experiences.
This is the story of a lost city, Melbourne, swept away by powerful interests and the rejection of social norms and institutions, of how we have arrived at where we are today, and of what we lost on the way. It tells of how the stability, optimism and progressive improvement of the 1950s gave way to the uncertainty, disruption and doubt of the modern world.
One of the group, a journalist, soon realises that local worlds are collapsing, the city he knows is to be obliterated, and he is to be sent to fight in a South-East Asian war, Confronted by increasing uncertainty and unanticipated but incremental failure leading to sudden catastrophe, he becomes part of the pivotal events he reports and makes life changing decisions.
1964 is published by Hardie Grant Publishing.
It’s not NIMBYs but developers
Michael Buxton
The Victorian government is set to announce the final deregulation of the planning approvals system. Already few uses and developments are prohibited. Mandatory rules on matters such as buildings heights are not allowed. Now, approvals will be ‘code assessed’ and allowed by right, removing the need for permits and resident rights.
Local government will become little more than a post box for developers. This will be the final step in a long process aimed at handing Melbourne and the State over to the powerful property sector.
The government’s justification is worthy of Machiavelli … To read more of this article, click here.
The ‘YIMBY’ Planning Advocacy Movement in Melbourne
David Berry
A Melbourne chapter of the incorporated ‘Yes in My Backyard’ (YIMBY) movement was established in 2022. Its major objective (according to its website) is to become an important advocacy group to facilitate housing abundance in Melbourne.
The YIMBYs, mostly comprising young, well-educated professionals, want residential housing densification for inner and middle suburban Melbourne for the following reasons:
- To relieve the city’s current housing shortage
- To slow Melbourne’s outer suburban sprawl
- To provide for more affordable housing options including more social housing and
- To supply more housing near workplaces and public transport nodes.
Whilst these are laudable goals, there is real concern that the group’s unstated motive is to support developers by opposing legitimate community opposition to inappropriate residential development in residential neighbourhoods. If successful, this opposition could result in the dilution of current planning controls that help preserve the neighbourhood character of our suburbs.
To read the full article, please click here.
Make sure your voice is heard in the State Government’s ‘Plan for Victoria’
Eastern Region Group of Councils
Home is where the heart is – and there is nothing more important than making sure all levels of government plan carefully for our increasing population and where they will live.
In late 2023 the State Government announced a Housing Statement with far-ranging reforms to planning processes and local government roles and the development of a new Plan for Victoria. Engagement has commenced on the Plan and closes at the end of June.
Knox, Maroondah, Manningham, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges are joining forces under the to make sure their communities voices are heard during these consultations. ERG Chair, Knox Mayor Councillor Jude Dwight said the State Government aims to deliver 800,000 new homes over a decade, mainly in existing urban areas. In the Eastern Region alone, our population may grow by half a million residents over 30 years.
‘Growth will put pressure on our transport infrastructure, open spaces, schools, and health and community services. We need to work with the State Government to keep pace with their planned rate of growth and make sure negative impacts are avoided‘.
Cr Dwight said, ‘The potential impacts of a Plan for Victoria on the region are significant. To strengthen our collective voice, the ERG engaged SGS Economics & Planning to provide advice and identify where we should prioritise our efforts to balance the impacts of growth with the things our communities value. This will form part of the ERG councils’ submissions to A Plan for Victoria’.
As a region, the ERG has identified four priorities it wants to see addressed in the State’s Plan for Victoria:
- Community access and productivity: increase sustainable transport options and reduce car dependency through bus and train network improvements.
- Infrastructure to support growth: fund and deliver drainage, recreation, social and community infrastructure to support sustainable growth and protect amenity and environmental values.
- Our natural assets: maintain and improve quality open space and our urban tree canopy to build climate and community resilience.
- Managing housing growth: leverage major projects and local council expertise to deliver diverse and affordable housing in areas with access to services that are not exposed to flood and climate risk.
‘Our region is very diverse, from the urban areas of Doncaster and Box Hill to the wineries and agricultural land in the Yarra Ranges. That diversity, combined with significant investment in major infrastructure projects, presents opportunities to leverage and improve the liveability for our current and future communities. ‘We are asking for your partnership and support.
You have the opportunity to help shape the future of our region. Please add your voice so that the Plan for Victoria reflects the views and needs of our region and help to create the communities we all want to be a part of. A Plan for Victoria is now open for you to have your say at www.engage.vic.gov.au/shape-our-future.