Planning Scheme Amendments

A planning scheme amendment is a change to the Planning Scheme. Common amendments include rezoning land, applying an overlay to specify development considerations or changes to planning policies.

All past and present planning scheme amendments can be viewed on the Department of Transport and Planning website. Any amendment that is open for community feedback will also be listed on our website under Have Your Say. 

Making a Submission

Anyone may provide a written submission to the planning authority regarding the amendment. Submissions should include the submitter's name and contact details, along with a clear explanation of the reasons for supporting or opposing the amendment, as well as any suggested changes.

What To Include in Your Submission

Your submission must:

  • Be written, typed or clearly handwritten
  • Be addressed to Council
  • Be clearly marked as an objection, if you are objecting to the proposal
  • Clearly state the reasons for objecting and how you would be affected
  • Include your name and current contact details
  • Include your signature and the date of your submission

The planning authority requires submitter's names and contact details to review submissions and to inform them about opportunities to participate in planning authority meetings and any public hearings related to the amendment.

How To Make a Submission

You may provide your written submission by:

Email

ngshire@ngshire.vic.gov.au

Mail

Northern Grampians Shire Council
PO Box 580
Stawell VIC 3380
Attention: Strategic Planner
RE: Submission to Amendment C[XX]ngra

Frequently Asked Questions

A planning scheme is a legal document prepared by Council or the Minister for Planning, and approved by Minister under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. It sets out the objectives, policies and rules that control how people can use and develop private and public land. All municipalities have their own Planning Scheme using a standard structure including:

  • State, regional and local planning policies
  • maps which show the zones and overlays that affect individual land parcels
  • an ordinance which are the written requirements setting out how land can be used and developed
  • incorporated documents – these are separate documents that provide more detailed requirements about specific uses or individual sites.

Planning schemes are regularly amended through a statutory planning scheme amendment process.

During the exhibition of an amendment, the community will be notified by a public notice in the local paper or by direct mail. Anyone can make a submission to an amendment. Your submission must include your name, contact details, and outline whether you:

  • Support the amendment;
  • Oppose the amendment; or
  • Suggest changes to the amendment.

All individual submissions will be acknowledged in writing.

Following the exhibition process, section 23 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires the Council to consider all submissions made to the amendment and either:

  • Change the amendment as requested in any submissions;
  • Refer the submissions to an independent Planning Panel appointed under Part 8 of the Act; or
  • Abandon the amendment or part of the amendment.

We encourage everyone to participate and share their views to help shape our community's future.

An independent Planning Panel is appointed by the Minister for Planning to hear submissions, make recommendations, and provide advice about the amendment.

The panel may consist of one or more members, including subject matter specialists, depending on the issues involved.

The basic role of the panel is to:

  • Give submitters an opportunity to be heard in an informal, non-judicial manner.
  • Provide expert advice to the planning authority (generally Northern Grampians Shire Council) about an amendment and about the submissions referred to it.

We encourage everyone to participate and share their views to help shape our community's future.

As the planning authority, Council must consider the recommendations of the panel report and then decide whether to:

  • Adopt the amendment
  • Abandon the amendment

If the Council adopts the amendment, it will be submitted to the Minister for Planning, who makes the final decision on whether to change the Planning Scheme. 

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