Individuals and other parties may request amendments to the Planning Scheme. It is important to understand the amendment process before making a request.
How to request a Planning Scheme amendment
Step 1: Discuss with Council
Before making a formal request to amend the Planning Scheme, we recommend that you:
- visit the Department of Transport and Planning's amendments page
- discuss your proposal with us to help you determine if we are likely to support the amendment.
You can contact our City Growth team by emailing strategicplanning@stonnington.vic.gov.au or calling 03 8290 1395.
Step 2: Formal request
Once you have discussed your request with Council officers, you must make a formal request in writing.
Email the request to strategicplanning@stonnington.vic.gov.au. Please ensure you include:
- a detailed strategic justification for the amendment, in line with the Department of Transport and Planning's amendments page
- payment of applicable amendment fees.
Planning Scheme amendment process
| Amendment process |
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| 1. Authorisation |
Council seeks authorisation to prepare a Planning Scheme amendment from the Minister for Planning. The Minister authorises the amendment to the Planning Scheme. |
| 2. Exhibition |
The community and stakeholders are notified and may make written submissions.
Following the end of exhibition, Council will consider all submissions and can abandon, change or refer the amendment to an independent Planning Panel.
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| 3. Planning Panel |
Council makes a submission to Panel.
Community and stakeholders who lodged a submission during the exhibition period that was referred to the Panel can make a submission to the Panel.
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| 4. Adoption |
Follow the Panel hearing, Council will receive a Panel report, and can adopt, abandon, or make changes to the amendment. |
| 5. Approval |
If Council adopts the amendment, it is referred to the Minister for Planning for final approval. The amendment is gazetted and becomes law if the Minister approves the amendment.
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In accordance with changes to Section 23(6) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Council must not refer submissions that are considered frivolous, vexatious, or wholly irrelevant to an independent Planning Panel. Please consider the nature or your submission carefully before submitting it to us.
For more information, email our City Growth team at strategicplanning@stonnington.vic.gov.au or call 03 8290 1395.
Planning Scheme amendment fees
Amendment fees apply to Planning Scheme amendment requests. These vary depending on the stage and scale of the amendment.