What is a planning scheme?
A planning scheme is a statutory document which sets out rules and regulations determined by the Victorian Government directing how land can be used, developed and protected within the Melton municipality.
The Planning Scheme contains State and local government planning policies, zones, overlays and other rules affecting how land can and cannot be used and developed in Melton. Any planning permits issued within Melton must comply with the Melton Planning Scheme.
Planning Schemes in Victoria all have the same structure and include:
You can conduct a free property search to find out which zones and overlays affect your land using the VicPlan online mapping tool.
Council’s Strategic Planning Unit is responsible for updating the Melton planning scheme.
Amending the Planning Scheme
The Planning Scheme may be amended by changing the written content (such as the local policy framework or schedules to zones, overlays or other provisions) or amending the mapping to change the zones and overlays applied to land. These changes may be required for a variety of reasons such as correcting errors or anomalies, giving effect to a new policy or strategy adopted by Council, or to reflect a change in direction or new circumstances.
Council, as the planning authority, usually undertakes the amendment although it may also be done by another government authority. The process for amending the Planning Scheme is set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Applications to amend the Melton Planning Scheme can be directed to our City Strategy Team.
The Process
Anyone can request Council to prepare an amendment.
The amendment must be adequately justified for Council to determine to prepare the amendment. The onus will be on the party requesting the amendment to provide this justification.
The decision to prepare the amendment will be made by Council at an Ordinary Council Meeting.
The amendment will then be submitted to the Minister for Planning seeking authorisation to prepare and exhibit the amendment. If the Minister agrees to authorise the amendment, it may include changes to the amendment or specific directions for exhibition. The Council must adhere to these requirements.
Exhibition of the amendment usually occurs via letters to affected parties, notices in the Government Gazette, the local newspaper and on Council’s website. Submissions can be made to Council on the amendment within the prescribed time period. All submissions must be considered by Council.
Once Council has considered any submissions, Council will then decide at an Ordinary Council Meeting, whether to abandon the amendment or adopt it with or without changes. Where submissions cannot be resolved, Council must first refer those submissions to an independent Panel. The Panel will then consider the submissions and make recommendations to Council before it adopts the amendment.
Once Council adopts the amendment it must be submitted to the Minister for Planning for approval. Notice of Approval will be published in the Government Gazette at which point it becomes part of the Planning Scheme. Council will also give notice of the approval in the local newspaper and on its website.