Version No. 163
Planning and Environment Act 1987
No. 45 of 1987
Version incorporating amendments as at
26 November 2025
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
Part 1—Preliminary
1Purpose
2Commencement
3Definitions
3AAMeaning of affordable housing
3ABOrder in Council specifying income ranges
3ATransport Integration Act 2010
4Objectives
4AAObligations of Department Head in relation to Yarra River land
4ABObligations of Department Head in relation to declared areas
4ACObligations of Department Head in relation to the Great Ocean Road region
Part 1A—Victoria Planning Provisions
4AVictoria Planning Provisions
4BAmendment of Victoria Planning Provisions
4CApproval of amendment
4DNotice of approval
4ECommencement
4FApplication of planning scheme provisions to amendments to VPPs
4GLodging of Victoria Planning Provisions and approved amendments
4HInspection and electronic publication of approved amendments
4IWho must keep and make available a copy of the Victoria Planning Provisions?
4JAmendment of planning schemes by Victoria Planning Provisions
Part 2—Planning schemes
5What are the planning schemes to which this Act applies?
6What can a planning scheme provide for?
6AEasements, restrictions etc.
6BHeritage buildings
7Structure of planning schemes
8Minister is planning authority
8AMunicipal council as planning authority for its municipal district
8BMunicipal council as planning authority for area adjoining municipal district
9Authorised Ministers and authorities are planning authorities
9ASuburban Rail Loop Authority is a planning authority
10Restrictions and powers relating to the preparation of amendments
12What are the duties and powers of planning authorities?
12AMinisterial directions for having regard to climate change
12BReview of planning schemes
13Responsible authority
14What are the duties of a responsible authority?
14AWhat are the duties of a referral authority?
15Changes in boundaries
16Application of planning scheme
Part 3—Amendment of planning schemes
Division 1AA—Authorisation to prepare amendments and other preliminary matters
Subdivision 1—Requests for municipal councils to prepare amendments
16ARequest for municipal council to prepare amendment
16BDecision on request to prepare amendment
16CNotice of decision on request to prepare amendment
16DMinister may direct municipal council to make decision
16EMinister may direct municipal council to apply to prepare amendment
Subdivision 2—Authorisation to prepare amendments
16FMunicipal councils to apply for authorisation to prepare amendments for their municipal districts
16GDecision on application to prepare amendment
16HWhen council may prepare amendment without authorisation
16IMunicipal councils to apply for authorisation to prepare amendments for adjoining municipal districts
16JConsent of Suburban Rail Loop Minister required for authorisations of certain planning scheme amendments
16KApplications for planning scheme amendment authorisations received before applicable Suburban Rail Loop planning area declarations
16LMinister may authorise other Ministers or public authorities to prepare amendments
Subdivision 3—Other matters
16MMunicipal councils must not prepare amendments for Port of Melbourne Area
16NLow‑impact amendments
Division 1—Exhibition and notice of amendment
17Copies of amendment to be given to certain persons
18Availability of amendment
19What notice of an amendment must a planning authority give?
20Exemption from giving notice
20AMinister may determine to prepare technical and corrective amendments—exception to sections 17, 18 and 19
Division 2—Public submissions about an amendment
21Who may make a submission?,
21AJoint submissions
22Planning authority to consider submissions
23Decisions about submissions,
23AProcess for low‑impact amendments
24Consideration of submissions…