Planning Reforms

The Victorian Government's Plan for Victoria is a long-term plan to meet the needs of Victoria’s diverse and growing population.

Key directions

The plan focuses on five key strategic directions:

To deliver the vision, 22 short term actions have been announced with new actions to be developed over time.

Planning Reforms

The Victorian Government has recently introduced planning reforms to support the delivery of the Plan for Victoria.

VC289 Amendment, applicable from 15 September 2025.
Applies to all residential zoned land (except for Low Density Residential Zone).
Provision seeks to protect and enhance canopy tree cover in urban areas to reduce the impacts of urban heat on human health and wellbeing.
Requires a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop a canopy tree in specific circumstances.

VC267 Amendment, applicable from 6 March 2025.
Applies to townhouses and apartment buildings up to three storeys
Introduces a ‘deemed to comply’ pathway to speed up decisions and provide certainty for applicants
Limits opportunities for objectors to seek a review at VCAT when standards are met

For more information about the process, visit the Department of Transport and Planning’s Townhouse and Low-Rise Code

VC282 Amendment, applicable from 8 September 2025
Applies to the development of single dwellings and small second dwellings where the lot is less than 300 square metres and in a nominated residential zone.
Introduces a ‘deemed to comply’ pathway to speed up decisions and provide certainty for applicants
Limits opportunities for objectors to seek a review at VCAT when standards are met

For more information about the process, visit the Department of Transport and Planning’s Single Home Code

VC288 Amendment, applicable from 16 October 2025
Applies to two dwellings on a lot, second homes on a lot and two lot subdivisions
If an application meets the VicSmart process for eligible Clause 54 criteria, approval can be received within 10 business days.
Makes more classes of residential two lot subdivisions eligible for VicSmart.
Updates the subdivision provisions that apply to two lot subdivision in the residential zone (other than the Low Density Residential Zone)
There is no notification to neighbours of the planning application.

The new provisions aim to:

Facilitate quicker and more efficient decision making;
Provide greater transparency and certainty for applicants, decision makers and the community about what is acceptable development and how it is assessed; and

Ensure residential development is sustainable and provides reasonable standards of amenity for existing and new residents.

As a result of these Amendments, Clause 54 and 55 has been modified to provide that:

A development must meet all objectives.
If the standard is met, the corresponding objective is met.
The Responsible Authority can only consider a decision guideline in Clause 54 and 55 if the corresponding standard is not met (to assist with determining whether alternative design meets the objective).
in deciding the application to which Clause 54 and 55 applies, the Responsible Authority is exempt from considering any other matter or decision guideline in the Surf Coast Planning Scheme and specified matters under Section 60 of the Planning & Environment Act 1987.
Where all standards are deemed to be met, there is no third-party appeal.

WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED

Neighbourhood Character Overlays and Design and Development Overlays remain. This ensures the character of our townships continue to be protected. Appeal rights continue to be afforded to applications under these overlay provisions.

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