Amendment | C65ngra Northern Grampians Planning Scheme Review

Project overview

The amendment implements the recommendations of the Northern Grampians Scheme Review 2025 into the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme.

The amendment does this by introducing new and revised local content into the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework, and schedules to zones, overlays, general provisions and operational provisions.

The Planning Scheme Review assesses the local planning policies, zones, overlays and schedules within the Planning Scheme in achieving objectives and strategies relating to the use and development of land across the Shire. It also ensures that the planning scheme is consistent with any directions or guidelines issued by the Minister for Planning and makes effective use of state and local provisions to give effect to state and local planning policy objectives.

The review identifies changes or additional strategic works to be undertaken that would improve the effectiveness of the planning scheme. Proposed improvements to the planning scheme review are carried out as planning scheme amendments separate to the review.

Council last undertook a review of the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme in 2018. The findings of this review were incorporated into the planning scheme by amendments C59ngra in 2021 and C61ngra in 2022.

Project background

Section 12B of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires a planning authority to regularly review the provisions the planning scheme to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning scheme. The Planning Scheme Review is a ‘health check’ on the planning scheme’s performance, aiming to improve its effectiveness and efficiency in meeting Victoria’s planning objectives.

In February 2024, planning consultants Plan2Place were appointed to undertake the Planning Scheme Review. This review was completed in September 2024.

Since the completion of the Planning Scheme Review, council adopted the 2025-29 Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. The plan outlines the strategic framework that guides council’s planning and decision-making over the current council term. It sets out a clear direction for how the council will work towards delivering long-term community vision while responding to current priorities and challenges.

In October 2025, council officers prepared an addendum to the Planning Scheme Review to reflect the completion of the 2025-29 Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan and any other changes over the past 12 months since the Planning Scheme Review was completed.

You can download a copy of the Planning Scheme Review by clicking here(PDF, 5MB).

The Planning Scheme Review found that the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme provides a robust strategic and statutory framework for land use and development in the municipality, however some improvements are recommended to the Planning Scheme to ensure consistency with the Ministerial Direction on the Form and Content of Planning Schemes; correct administrative errors, and to include revised or new policy to improve the strategic directions of the scheme and to include adopted Council strategies and policies.

The Northern Grampians Scheme Review 2025 was adopted by council in February 2026.

Amendment C65 proposes to:

Implement the land use and development directions of council’s adopted strategies and plans, including the:

Northern Grampians Municipal Wastewater Management Plan 2022-2027 (Northern Grampians Shire, 2022)
Stawell Aerodrome Master Plan Review (Specialist Airport Solutions Pty Ltd, 2023)
Stawell Wastewater Treatment Works - Establishment of an Odour Buffer Distance (Sinclair Knight Merz, June 2005)

Clarify and improve the style, format, language or grammatical form of content in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Direction – The Form and Content of Planning Schemes.
Update clause references, department names, legislation names, document references, terminology and statistical data.
Remove or update outdated content.

The amendment applies to all land in the Northern Grampians Shire. The amendment does not rezone any land. Maps are included in the amendment documentation to correct numbering errors.

A full explanation of Amendment C65 can be found in the Explanatory Report available at the Department of Transport and Planning website via this link: https://planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au/All%20schemes/amendments and entering C65ngra in the search window.

Making a Submission to the Amendment

Anyone may provide a written submission to the planning authority (in this case Northern Grampians Shire Council) about 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.

A submission can be made:

Online:

You can make an online submission via council's Have Your Say area of our website.

Make a submission

Mail:

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Attention: Strategic Planning

Re: Submission to Amendment C65

PO Box 580, Stawell VIC 3380

The closing date for submissions is August 31, 2026.

What happens to submissions?

All submissions will receive written acknowledgment. After the exhibition process, Section 23 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, requires council to consider all submissions made to the amendment and either:

Modify the amendment in the manner requested in the submissions;
Refer the submissions to an independent Planning Panel appointed under Part 8 of the Act; or
Abandon the amendment, or part of it.

Submissions are public documents and copies are available to any person for the purpose of consideration as part of the planning process. Personal contact details are not published with submissions, and personal information will be managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. Anyone interested in viewing submissions can contact the Strategic Planning Department at council to request copies. Please call (03) 5358 8700 and ask to speak to the Strategic Planner.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Planning Scheme? 

A planning scheme is a statutory document that sets out objectives, policies and provisions for the use, development, protection and conservation of land. Each council in Victoria has its own planning scheme.

What is a Planning Scheme Amendment?

To make any changes to the planning scheme, a planning scheme amendment is required.

Planning schemes are amended for a number of reasons, including:

To change or introduce a local policy (e.g. implement a strategy or plan).
Rezone land or introduce a new overlay.

As a planning authority, Northern Grampians Shire Council can prepare a planning scheme amendment once it has been authorised to do so by the Minister under section 8A or 8B of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

What does Amendment C65ngra do?

The amendment implements the recommendations of the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme Review 2025 into the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme by introducing new and revised local content into the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework, and schedules to zones, overlays, general provisions, and operational provisions.

Amendment C65 does not rezone any land. Maps are included in the amendment documentation to correct numbering errors.

Why is the Amendment required?

Section 12B of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires that Council reviews its planning scheme every four years. The review aims to ensure that the planning scheme remains effective and efficient in achieving the objectives of planning in Victoria and the objectives of the planning framework established by the Act.

Where will Amendment C65ngra apply?

The amendment applies to all land in the Northern Grampians Shire.

How do I make a submission?

Submissions need to be made in writing and must 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 happens to submissions?

All submissions received written acknowledgment. After the exhibition process, Section 23 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, requires council to consider all submissions made to the amendment and either:

Modify the amendment in the manner requested in the submissions.
Refer the submissions to an independent Planning Panel appointed under Part 8 of the Act; or
Abandon the amendment, or part of it.

What is planning panel?

A planning panel is appointed by the Minister for Planning to hear submissions about amendments to planning schemes, and to provide recommendations about whether the amendment should progress.

The purpose of a panel is to provide submitters an opportunity to be heard and to give expert advice to the planning authority about an amendment and submissions referred to it.

What happens after a panel hearing?

As the planning authority, council must review all submissions and the panel report before determining whether to proceed with or abandon the amendment. If council chooses to adopt the amendment, it must then submit it to the Minister for Planning for final consideration and decision.

What is the Amendment Process?

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.

To find out more about the amendment process, visit the Victorian Government’s website: https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/planning-schemes/amendments/amending-a-planning-scheme.