For most land in Victoria, if someone is undertaking a development or changing the way they use the land, they will be required to consider and meet the conditions contained in their local 'planning scheme'.

A planning scheme contains the rules and provisions that must be followed for the use of land in a particular area.

The Victorian Planning Provisions (VPP's) contain planning provisions which are used by the responsible authority to construct local planning schemes.

Every Municipality (or local government) in Victoria has a planning scheme. Planning schemes are legal documents that contain policies and requirements in relation to the usage, development and protection of land. Planning schemes usually also include maps, plans and other documents. All planning schemes contain provisions that are State standard provisions, and also local provisions.

Planning schemes must follow a the standard structure which is decided by a 'Ministerial Direction' under section 7(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic). The 'Ministerial Direction' can be viewed on the Department of Planning and Community Development website or purchased at the Planning Information Centre.

You may inspect a copy of the planning scheme that applies to your area at the offices of your Local Council or at the Planning Information Centre or online at Department of Planning and Community Development Online at www.dse.vic.gov.au/planningschemes.

Every planning scheme has a user guide that you can refer to.

Every planning scheme includes the following:

• A State Planning Policy Framework (‘SPPF’).
• A Local Planning Policy Framework (‘LPPF’) including the Municipal Strategic Statement (‘MSS’) and Local Planning Policies.
• Maps which display which zones and overlays have been selected for an area.
• Particular provisions.
• General provisions.
• Definitions.
• Incorporated documents.
• List of amendments.
  

Except for the Local Planning Policy Framework (‘LPPF’) and any incorporated documents, the above documents are all drawn from the Victorian Planning Provisions (VPP). Most of the VPP is reproduced in every planning scheme. Additional provisions or any that differ from those in the VPP, are not permitted. The only areas of flexibility for planning schemes are:

• the content of the A Local Planning Policy Framework (‘LPPF’) sections;
• which zones and overlays are chosen by the Local Council and where they are placed;
• local provisions specified by the VPP within 'Schedules' to some zones and overlays;
• additional documents that are 'incorporated' into the planning scheme, such as Codes of Practice or Municipal Conservation or Roadside Strategies, which must be considered in decision-making.
  

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

* Finding and accessing planning documents

• Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) on Austlii
• Victorian Government - Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)
• Victorian Government - DPCD, Planning Information Centre
• Victorian Government - DPCD, Find your Local Council
• Victorian Planning Provisions - www.dse.vic.gov.au/planningschemes
• VPP User Guide