Practitioners should be aware that Victoria’s planning system is set for more significant reform following the passage of the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Act 2026, which amends the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
In 2025 we covered Planning Scheme Amendment VC267, the new Townhouse and Low-Rise Code, which introduced changes to the content and processes of the residential design standards (Cl54 & 54) in the Victorian Planning Provisions. We also covered Planning Scheme Amendment GC252 which introduced the new Housing Choice and Transport Zone (HCTZ) and Built Form Overlay (BFO), applying the new zone and overlay to various activity centres in Metropolitan Melbourne.
Planning Scheme Amendment VC277 makes significant changes to the statutory car parking requirements associated with planning permit applications across Victoria.
Permit applicants will be able to avoid paying the Metropolitan Planning Levy in circumstances
Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Act 2025 (that came into effect on 25 November 2025) makes changes to the planning permit application process
Congratulations to Ashley Thompson Director of Clause 1 Planning who was honoured at the Design Matters Annual Awards Ceremony in Melbourne with a Life Time Membership for services to Town Planning
Planning Scheme Amendment VC289 came into force on 15 September 2025. The amendment creates a new Clause 52.37 (Canopy Trees) provision.
In October 2025 the online STORM tool used for assessing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) performance for development proposals was retired and replaced with Blue Factor.
The Victorian State Government has announced changes that provide new fast track approval pathways for dual-occupancy developments and two lot subdivisions
Planning Scheme Amendment VC289 came into force on 15 September 2025
