1. FAST TRACK APPROVALS 

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Three distinct pathways for planning permits that match project complexity: 

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Type 1 (10-Day Approval): For simple projects like stand-alone homes and duplexes. These involve no public notice or third-party appeals.

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Type 2 (30-Day Approval): For townhouses and low-rise developments that meet "deemed-to-comply" standards.

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Type 3 (60-Day Approval): For larger apartment buildings and high-density developments. Notification is restricted to directly impacted neighbors. 

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2. DEVELOPMENT FACILITATION PROGRAM (DFP)

 

This program empowers the Minister for Planning to act as the direct decision-maker for significant residential projects.

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The program features specific expedited pathways:

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• Significant Residential Development (Clause 53.23): Bypasses local councils for medium-to-high-density builds (e.g., $50 million+ in Melbourne) that include at least 10% affordable housing

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• Great Design Fast Track (Clause 53.25): Streamlines high-quality, 2-to-8-story apartments and townhouses

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• Significant Economic Development (Clause 53.22): Fast-tracks major job-creating projects, commercial developments, and renewable energy facilities.

 

Key Characteristics:

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• Approval Authority: The Minister for Planning replaces the local council.

• Appeals: Decisions cannot be appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

• Public Notice: Standard public notice and referral requirements generally still apply.

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3. REDUCED APPEAL AND OBJECTION RIGHTS 

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The government has significantly scaled back third-party appeal rights to prevent projects from being delayed by those not directly impacted. 

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No Appeals: Applies to Type 1 and Type 2 applications (standard homes and townhouses).

 

Limited Appeals: Only neighbors directly affected by Type 3 projects can object or appeal to VCAT.

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VCAT Management: VCAT now has increased powers to group similar objectors and conduct "on the papers" reviews without oral hearings to save time. 

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4. PLAN FOR VICTORIA AND HOUSING TARGETS

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Plan for Victoria has replaced Plan Melbourne and set long-term strategic directions. 

Mandatory Housing Targets: Every local council now has specific housing targets to 2051 (e.g. 65,500 for Boroondara).

Intervention Powers: The State Government can intervene or take over planning control if councils fail to meet their housing targets. 

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5. ACTIVITY CENTRES AND NEW ZONINGS

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Train and Tram Zones: New planning controls, including the Housing Choice and Transport Zone (HCTZ), have been applied to 50 activity centres to increase density around transit hubs.

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Standardised Controls: The Built Form Overlay (BFO) now standardises heights (up to 20 storeys in major centres) and design rules to provide more certainty for developers. 

 

The Housing Choice and Transport Zone (HCTZ) has been introduced to allow housing at increased densities including three to six storey development in residential streets located in and abutting activity centres. Many of these streets have heritage and/or environmental overlays resulting in competing planning objectives where both controls overlap. 

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It is apparent that the government’s high density strategy is being rolled out using a standardised approach, not tailored to local areas. So we are seeing a lack of local nuance on such things as building heights, heritage, landscape and urban character.

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This approach risks undermining the integrity and consistency of heritage precincts and streetscapes, where context, materials and scale are so important. 

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The SHMAPA has sought clarity between the HCTZ and heritage overlays (as well as landscape and other design overlays) in order that more housing can be provided while also protecting the essence and individual character of Melbourne’s suburbs.