Planning Scheme Review

Every Council in Victoria has its own planning scheme which guides land use in the municipality.  Councils are required by Section 12B(1) of the Planning and Environment Act to review their planning schemes every three to four years. 

Council is undertaking a review of the Ballarat Planning Scheme (DPCD website), which includes consulting with local residents, groups and businesses.

What is being reviewed?

The key elements of Council's planning scheme that are being reviewed include:

• The Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) - Does it provide the overall strategic direction required?
• Local planning policies - Are they relevant or are more needed?
• Zones and zone schedules - Are they appropriate?
• Overlays and overlay schedules - Are they appropriate?

In addition, issues of Strategic Direction will also be reviewed including:

• Confirming that the key issues and influences in the current planning scheme are still relevant to individuals or organisations.
• Identifying new factors which have emerged since the previous review in 2003 including (but not limited to):
• the Native Vegetation Framework;
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage;
• Water Management;
• Blueprint Ballarat;
• planning in water catchments;
• new suite of Rural Zones;
• new suite of Residential zones;
• Medium Density Housing pressures;
• Heritage;
• implications (if any) of Melbourne 2030;
• completed infrastructure projects including those related to rail and water. 
• Any pressure points for development or environmental sensitivity and if are they adequately addressed in the scheme?

Download the draft Planning Scheme Review Report (PDF - 1233KB) or view a copy at the Ballarat Town Hall, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat.

Background

The 'new format' Ballarat Planning Scheme was first approved in November 1998 and included one of the early Municipal Strategic Statements.

The MSS was reviewed over 2001/2002 and a review report was submitted to the then Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in June 2003.  The review resulted in Amendment C65 (DSE website) to the Planning Scheme which proposed substantial revisions to the content and format of the MSS.  The Amendment was the subject of a comprehensive panel hearing process that recommended various elements be rewritten and restructured prior to adoption.

Council subsequently revised the Amendment with the assistance of an Advisory Committee appointed under Section 191 of the Act.  The Amendment was then submitted to DSE and it was approved in April 2005.

Since that review Council has initiated a number of further strategic studies and planning scheme amendments.  Council also has a significant number of amendments that are currently being processed. 

How can I be involved?

As part of this review, Council sees the input from relevant stakeholders and agencies as critical.  

Submissions to the draft Ballarat Planning Scheme Review report closed at 5.00pm on Friday 21 November.  All submissions received will be considered in finalising the report.

It is anticipated that the finalised report will be considered by Council in early 2009.

An information booklet prepared by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)'dse.vic.gov.au - Planning: A Short Guide' explains the planning process in a user friendly way. 

Links

Ballarat Planning Scheme Online (DPCD website)

Review of Planning Schemes Practice Note (DPCD website)

Continuous Improvement Review Kit (DPCD website)