A Planning Scheme Amendment are proposed changes to the policies or provisions in a Planning Scheme. An amendment to the planning scheme involves a change to a planning scheme map, a change to the written part of the scheme, or both. 

Once Council approves an Amendment, Council must seek permission from the state government to make those changes and to seek final approval. This helps ensure that any changes to the Planning Scheme are appropriate for the local region, for the state’s goals for all of Victoria, and consider community submissions.

In our Council, we are within the framework of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to make decisions about the development and use of land.

Planning scheme contents

Planning scheme maps show how the land is zoned and overlays affecting the land.

Zones reflect the land use characteristics of land such as residential industrial or rural. The zoning outlines the type of use and development allowed in each zone and requirements for subdivision buildings and works.

Certain areas also have other planning controls (known as overlays). For example areas that have significant vegetation may be covered by a Vegetation Protection Overlay or places that have heritage significance may have a Heritage Overlay.