Each local government area in Victoria is covered by a planning scheme. The planning scheme is a legal document that is prepared by Nillumbik Shire Council and approved by the Minister for Planning.
The Nillumbik Planning Scheme sets out the planning rules for using, developing and protecting land in Nillumbik. The planning scheme includes three main parts:
- Ordinance – written information that explains the planning policies and guidelines, zones, overlays and other provisions that apply in the Shire
- Maps – visual diagrams that show where the zones and overlays are in Nillumbik
- Incorporated documents – other documents that the planning scheme is informed and guided by.
Council uses the policies and guidelines set out in the Nillumbik Planning Scheme to make decisions about planning permit applications.
View the Nillumbik Planning Scheme online
The Nillumbik Planning Scheme is available on the Victorian Government's Planning website:
View the Nillumbik Planning Scheme
Both zones and overlays affect how land can be used and developed in Nillumbik.
Zones
In the planning scheme, the land in the Shire is divided up into zones that have different purposes including:
- residential
- industrial
- commercial
- rural
- public land
- special purpose.
The zone determines how the land can be used and also what land uses require a permit.
Overlays
The planning scheme also shows if an overlay applies to a piece of land. In Nillumbik the types of overlays include:
- environmental and landscape
- heritage and built form
- land management
- other.
Overlays are special planning controls which apply to a particular area. For example, an area requiring bushfire management or heritage protection.
Not all land has an overlay and some land may be affected by more than one overlay.
Find out what zone and overlays apply to your property
Visit the Victorian Government's Planning website to get a planning report for your property.
Changes to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme can only be made via a legal process called a planning scheme amendment. Amendments must be prepared and initiated by a planning authority. This is usually Council or the Minister for Planning.
The amendments process is managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP).
Reasons for amending a planning scheme
There are many reasons why a planning scheme may need to be amended. Some of the more common reasons are to:
- enhance or implement the strategic vision of a scheme
- implement new state, regional or local policy
- update the scheme
- correct mistakes
- allow some use or development currently prohibited to take place
- restrict use or development in a sensitive location
- set aside land for acquisition for a public purpose or to remove such a reservation when it is no longer needed in the scheme
Have your say about proposed amendments
Proposed amendments to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme are listed on Participate Nillumbik.
View all proposed and approved amendments
Visit the Victorian Government's Planning website to view all proposed and approved amendments to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.
The Nillumbik Planning Scheme is informed by two types of documents.
Incorporated documents
- inform the planning scheme
- guide decision making
- affect the operation of the planning scheme
Visit the Victorian Government's Planning website to view incorporated documents from the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.
Background documents
- inform the preparation of, or an amendment to, the planning scheme
- provide contextual information about a particular provision
- assist the understanding of the planning scheme
Visit the Victorian Government's Planning website to get a list of background documents from the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.
Planning controls differ across the Shire of Nillumbik, so it's important to get advice before making changes to your property.
To find out more about the Nillumbik Planning Scheme and how it affects your property, call Planning Services Unit on 9433 3343.