Amendments to the planning scheme

A planning scheme is a legal document, prepared and approved under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. It contains state and local planning policies, zones and overlays, and other provisions that affect how land can be used and developed.

The Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme guides all our planning decision making at Council.

Changing the planning scheme requires approval from the state government and opportunities for community feedback.

A Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) is when changes are proposed to the policies or provisions in a Planning Scheme. An amendment to the planning scheme involves a change to a planning scheme map, a change to the written part of the scheme, or both. Because this changes planning rules in some areas, Council must seek permission from the state government to make those changes and to seek final approval. This helps ensure that any changes to the Planning Scheme are appropriate for the local region, for the state’s goals for all of Victoria, and consider community submissions.

When there is a proposed amendment to the Planning Scheme, the community will be informed about the amendment and what we’re proposing, and will be given an opportunity to make a submission.

The Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme will be amended when the process has been completed and the state government has approved the changes.

There are a number of steps in the amendment process, including exhibition (public notification), consideration of any submissions by an independent Planning Panel (if required), and final approval of the Amendment by the Minister for Planning.

When the amendment has been approved and gazetted by the Minister for Planning, the new provisions will come into effect in the Planning Scheme and you will be notified when this happens.

The Planning Scheme and control are complex, particularly if you have never needed to know about them before. You can find information on what this all means on the Department of Transport and Planning website.