Learn about the amendment process, including templates and checklists for preparing and processing amendments.
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The amendment process
A planning scheme amendment may involve a change to a planning scheme map, a change to the written part of the scheme, or both.
Amendments can have significant planning implications and affect the wider community because they change the way land can be used or developed. They can also change the basis for making planning decisions in the future.
An individual can request an amendment to a planning scheme. The request should be discussed with the council. Planning authorities should contact us before submitting an amendment request.
Types of amendments
There are four types of amendments:
V amendment – makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions only
VC amendment - makes changes to the VPP and one or more planning schemes
C amendment – makes changes to one planning scheme only
GC amendment – makes changes to more than one planning scheme.
A combined permit and amendment process is available if both are required.
Before an amendment can be prepared it must be authorised by the Minister for Planning. The purpose of authorisation is to identify whether a proposed amendment is consistent with state policy and interests, has demonstrated strategic merit and to ensure it makes appropriate use of the VPP.
The Minister may also authorise another minister or public authority to prepare an amendment under section 9 of the Act.
Planning authorities are encouraged to discuss a proposed amendment with the relevant department office prior to seeking authorisation. We can provide advice about strategic issues related to the amendment, and which planning provisions would best achieve the intent. Early consultation with us will also help planning authorities to meet the timeframes outlined in Ministerial direction 15 – the planning scheme amendment process.
Requests to amend a planning scheme by land owners and proponents
Map sheet numbers are located at the bottom right hand corner of maps prepared by the department Mapping service. At authorisation stage, maps need to indicatively show the area being amended. Use VicPlan or council’s GIS mapping services to prepare authorisation maps. Authorisation maps must be submitted using the correct naming convention.
Run an interim publish to see what the final clause or schedule will look like. For 'Name suffix' select: 'Authorisation' Tick 'Produce PDF Comparisons' Select 'Run interim publish' to create a track change document of the clause and schedule against the current version.
Example
Notes
Final form and track changes of ordinances do not need to be attached when lodging the amendment. Contact us for advice on appropriate use of planning provisions and statutory drafting.
Draft planning permit (may be requested at authorisation stage)
Referrals – Any advice received from relevant authorities or agencies
Traditional Owner considerations
Council resolution (if relevant) – A copy of the full council or delegate report. It is recommended this report includes a resolution which allows for flexibility to address changes required by the Minister for Planning at authorisation stage. For example – Authorises the X (i.e., Director or CEO) to make any further changes to the amendment to comply with the Minister for Planning’s authorisation conditions.
96A application considerations – Applications for a planning permit submitted concurrently with a request for authorisation must meet requirements under section 96A of the Planning and Environment Act. All relevant information under the Act and the Planning and Environment Regulations 2015 must be submitted.
After the amendment has been authorised, a planning authority must:
conduct preliminary investigation
complete a strategic assessment
conduct consultation with relevant parties, including the department's regional office
prepare the amendment documentation.
If the amendment is given to the Minister under section 17(1)(c) of the Act, the planning authority must submit the exhibition documentation in the Amendment tracking systemno less than 10 business days before it first gives public notice.
Panel hearing dates must be pre-set at least 25 days prior to notice of exhibition being given, to ensure that accurate information about the amendment is available when it is exhibited.
The planning authority must also arrange publication of the notice of the preparation in the Victorian Government Gazette.
We provide a free map preparation service to councils for planning scheme amendments. A4 maps prepared by our map preparation service have a map sheet number allocated on the bottom right hand corner. A3 maps do not have a map sheet number. Exact zoning and/or overlay changes should
be clearly delineated. Maps prepared by our map preparation service will use the correct naming conventions. When inserting or deleting maps ensure the Schedule to Clause 72.03 is also part of the amendment to reflect this change.
Run an interim publish to see what the final clause or schedule will look like. For 'Name suffix' select 'Exhibition' Tick 'Produce PDF Comparisons' Select 'Run interim publish' to create a track
change document of the clause and schedule against the current version.
Example
Notes
Final form and track changes of ordinances do not need to be attached when lodging the amendment. Contact us for advice on appropriate use of planning provisions and statutory drafting.
We will make the amendment publicly available to view on the day the first notice is given. During this time the community can make submissions to the planning authority (usually the council) about the amendment proposal.
This stage covers making submissions and the consideration of submissions by an independent panel .
If there are submissions which cannot be resolved by the planning authority, the Minister for Planning will appoint an independent panel to consider submissions. When it receives the report from the panel, the planning authority must adopt the amendment, abandon the amendment or adopt the amendment with changes.
Browse amendments shows the progress of an amendment and panel reports.
6. Adoption
The planning authority considers all submissions and the panel report, and then decides whether to adopt or abandon the amendment.
7. Approval
After a planning authority has adopted an amendment, the amendment is submitted to the Minister for Planning for consideration and decision.
The amendment must be submitted in the Amendment tracking system with the prescribed information under section 31(1) of the Act.
We provide a free map preparation service to councils for planning scheme amendments. A4 maps prepared by our map preparation service have a map sheet number allocated on the bottom right hand corner. A3 maps do not have a map sheet number. Exact zoning and/or overlay changes should be clearly delineated. Maps prepared by our map preparation service will use the correct naming conventions. When inserting or deleting maps ensure the Schedule to Clause 72.03 is also part of the amendment to reflect this change.
Run an interim publish to see what the final clause or schedule will look like. For 'Name suffix' select 'Adopted' Tick 'Produce PDF Comparisons' Select 'Run interim publish' to create a track change document of the clause and schedule against the current version.
Example
Notes
Final form and track changes of ordinances do not need to be attached when lodging the amendment. Contact us for advice on appropriate use of planning provisions and statutory drafting.
Incorporated documents
Format
Word document or PDF
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][planning scheme suffix] Name of incorporated document [date of incorporated document] incorporated document [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn Site Specific Control Subdivision Requirements May 2011 incorporated document Adopted
Notes
When referencing the incorporated document:
include month and a year in the incorporated document title
use the exact title of the incorporated document title including the date
all incorporate documents over 10MB must be split into parts and documented in the schedule.
Background documents
Format
Word document or PDF
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][planning scheme suffix] Name of background document [date of background document] [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn Site Specific Control Subdivision Requirements May 2017 Adopted
Notes
When referencing a background document:
include a month and a year in the background document title if applicable
use the exact title of the background document title including the date.
Section 173 Agreements
Format
Word document
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][address on the S173 Agreement] Section 173 Agreement [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn 14 Victoria Street, Gumnut Section 173 Agreement Adopted
Other prescribed information to accompany adopted amendment
Other prescribed information
A list of notices given under section 19(1) of the Act A summary of action taken under sections 19(1B) if applicable, 19(2), 19(2A), 19(3) and 19(7) of the Act Copies of any submissions or reports received on the amendment If a panel is appointed under Part 8 of the Act:
reasons why any panel recommendations were not adopted.
report of the panel
A report on submissions not referred to a panel A description of and reasons for, any changes made to the amendment before adoption Draft permit
Format
Word document
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][document name of the prescribed information] [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn Document name Adopted
The amendment must be submitted in the Amendment tracking system with the prescribed information under section 31(1) of the Act.
A4 maps prepared by our map preparation service have a map sheet number allocated on the bottom right hand corner. A3 maps do not have a map sheet number. Exact zoning and/or overlay changes should be clearly delineated. We provide a free map preparation service to councils for planning scheme amendments. Maps prepared by our map preparation service will use the correct naming conventions. When inserting or deleting maps ensure the Schedule to Clause 72.03 is also part of the amendment to reflect this change.
Run an interim publish to see what the final clause or schedule will look like. For 'Name suffix' select 'Approval' Tick 'Produce PDF Comparisons' Select 'Run interim publish' to create a track change document of the clause and schedule against the current version.
Example
Notes
Final form and track changes of ordinances do not need to be attached when lodging the amendment. Contact us for advice on appropriate use of planning provisions and statutory drafting.
Incorporated documents
Format
Word document or PDF
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][planning scheme suffix] Name of incorporated document [date of incorporated document] incorporated document [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn Site Specific Control Subdivision Requirements May 2011 incorporated document Approval
Notes
When referencing the incorporated document:
include month and a year in the incorporated document title
use the exact title of the incorporated document title including the date
all incorporate documents over 10MB must be split into parts and documented in the schedule.
Background documents
Format
Word document or PDF
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][planning scheme suffix] Name of background document [date of background document] [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn Site Specific Control Subdivision Requirements May 2017 Approval
Notes
When referencing a background document:
include a month and a year in the background document title if applicable
use the exact title of the background document title including the date.
Section 173 Agreements
Format
Word document
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][address on the S173 Agreement] Section 173 Agreement [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn 14 Victoria Street, Gumnut Section 173 Agreement Approval
Other prescribed information to accompany adopted amendment
Other prescribed information
A list of notices given under section 19(1) of the Act A summary of action taken under sections 19(1B) if applicable, 19(2), 19(2A), 19(3) and 19(7) of the Act Copies of any submissions or reports received on the amendment If a panel is appointed under Part 8 of the Act:
reasons why any panel recommendations were not adopted.
report of the panel
A report on submissions not referred to a panel A description of and reasons for, any changes made to the amendment before adoption Draft permit
Format
Word document
Naming convention
[Planning scheme] C[number][document name of the prescribed information] [amendment stage]
Example
Gumnut C1gumn Document name Approval
Other information to support request for authorisation
Other supporting information
Referrals – Any advice received from relevant authorities or agencies
Traditional Owner considerations
Council resolution (if relevant) – A copy of the full council or delegate report. It is recommended this report includes a resolution which allows for flexibility to address changes required by the Minister for Planning at authorisation stage. For example – Authorises the X (i.e., Director or CEO) to make any further changes to the amendment to comply with the Minister for Planning’s authorisation conditions. 96A application considerations – Applications for a planning permit submitted concurrently with a request for authorisation must meet requirements under section 96A of the Planning and Environment Act. All relevant information under the Act and the Planning and Environment Regulations 2015 must be submitted. Refer to detailed checklist for more information. [LINK TO NEW WEB PAGE CC – APPENDIX B FROM GUIDANCE NOTE]
Notice of public exhibition of amendments and approved amendments is published in the general Victoria Government Gazette every Thursday, or in special gazettes on other days, if necessary.
