If your environmental issue relates to land use, housing, or development then it is likely that you will need to consider the land use planning controls governed by the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic). The Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) contains some of the most useful parts of Victoria's environmental and planning law. Including:

• The Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) contains a number of vital planning and environmental objectives (s. 4);
• It also provides for public rights to receive notice, make submissions and objections, rights of appeal (although these may be curtailed in some circumstances) and public rights of enforcement.
  

The Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) is administered by the Department of Planning and Community Development (www.dpcd.vic.gov.au), under the direction of the Minister for Planning and Community Development.

If someone is undertaking a development or changing the way they use land in Victoria, they will most likely be required to consider and meet requirements contained in their local planning scheme. They may also be required to apply for a planning permit.

This process is very important because it allows for other people to receive notice of a proposal, make submissions and objections, and potentially use their right to appeal.

The State standard provisions (which every planning scheme must contain) are called the Victorian Planning Provisions (‘VPPs’). This does not prevent planning schemes from accounting for the different land uses and requirements that exist in different Municipalities (Part 1A of the Planning and Environment Act 1987). The Victorian Planning Provisions (‘VPPs’) are simply the standard planning provisions that apply throughout the State.

• Planning schemes
  • Which organisations prepare and administer planning schemes?
  • State Planning Policy Framework (‘SPPF’)
  • Local Planning Policy Framework (‘LPPF’)
  • Zones
  • Overlays
  • Planning scheme particular provisions which protect the environment
  • Planning scheme general provisions
  • Planning scheme incorporated documents
  • Precinct Structure Plans

• Amending the planning scheme

• Planning permits
  • Referral authorities and planning permit applications
  • Objecting to a planning permit application
  • Appealing planning permit decisions to VCAT
  • Minister's power to 'call in' the planning permit application or an appeal
  • Certificates of compliance and planning certificates
  • Integration of State Environment Protection Policies ("SEPPs") and the Planning and Environment Act

• Enforcement
  • Applying for an enforcement order
  • Interim enforcement order applications
  • What can an enforcement order provide for?
  • Cancellation and amendment of planning permits
  • Planning and Environment Act prosecutions in the Magistrates Court
  • Planning infringement notices

• Declarations and Section 173 Agreements

• Native vegetation retention controls

• Forest protection

• For information on the management and use of “Crown Land” you should see the - Victorian Government - DSE Crown Land fact sheets

• Victorian Government - Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)

• DPCD - Victorian Planning Provisions

• View the Planning and Environment Act 1987 on Austlii