Planning Scheme Amendment | C64ngra St Arnaud Township Framework Plan

Project overview

Council has prepared Amendment C64ngra to the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme to introduce the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan (2023) as a background document. The amendment is required to include the key land-use planning directions from the Framework Plan into the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme to guide future growth and development in St Arnaud.

The amendment was publicly exhibited between August 6 and September 7, 2025.

At the Council Meeting on December 1, 2025, Council will consider whether to adopt Amendment C64ngra and whether to request the Minister for Planning approve the amendment.

Project background

The St Arnaud Township Framework Plan (2023) seeks to guide the growth and development of the settlement of St Arnaud in a way that respects the township’s heritage and character, reinforcing St Arnaud’s role as a district town that supports surrounding settlements.

This amendment will offer greater certainty for the future of agricultural, industrial and residential land use in St Arnaud, aligning with community expectations as identified through consultation on the Framework Plan. It will reinforce St Arnaud’s role as a district town that supports surrounding settlements, while facilitating growth and development in a way that avoids expansion into areas with increased bushfire risk.

Amendment C64 proposes to:

1. Make changes to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Planning Policy Framework to give effect to the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan (2023)

2. Insert a new Local Planning Policy clause to introduce settlement strategies for St Arnaud related to:

The form and location of future residential and industrial development;
The role of the Main Street Precinct as the primary commercial, retail hospitality and civic precinct in St Arnaud;
Support for improved pedestrian and cycling connectivity, including the St Arnaud Green Link; and
Landscaping, streetscapes and township gateways.

3. Include the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan (2023) as a background document to the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme.

A full explanation of Amendment C64 can be found in the Explanatory Report linked on this page.

Submissions to the Amendment

Exhibition closed on September 7, 2025. A total of six submissions were received to the exhibited amendment.

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.

What happens to submissions?

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 required 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.

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, we must then submit it to the Minister for Planning for final consideration and decision.

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 C64ngra do?

The amendment includes the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan (2023) into the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme as a background document. Specifically, it amends the Municipal Planning Strategy and Planning Policy Framework to integrate policies and strategies from the Framework Plan. The amendment does not rezone any land.

Why is the Amendment required?

The amendment is required to incorporate the key land-use planning directions from the Framework Plan into the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme to guide future growth and development.

Where will Amendment C64ngra apply?

The amendment applies to all land identified within the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan map.

How do I make a submission?

Submissions were accepted during the Exhibition of the Amendment, which closed September 7, 2025.

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.