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Yarra planning scheme and amendments

City of Yarra's planning schemes includes policies and provisions to control land use and development.

Planning schemes are legal documents containing policies and provisions that control land use and development. They are made up of maps and ordinance (policies and written clauses).

Victorian planning schemes have the same structure, but each municipality has its own planning scheme with local policies.

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Approved
Amendment C191 – Swan Street
The amendment was approved by the Minister for Planning and formed part of the Yarra Planning Scheme from 10 February 2022.
Approved
Amendment C220 – Johnston Street
Yarra City Council has prepared Planning Scheme Amendment C220 which affects land in and around Johnston Street (Collingwood and Abbotsford), including Sackville Street in Collingwood.The amendment introduces planning controls to implement the Johnston Street Local Area Plan (which was adopted by Council in 2015).
Approved
Amendment C223 – 81-95 Burnley Street and 26 Doonside Street, Richmond
The owners of Harry the Hirer at 81-95 Burnley Street and 26 Doonside Street, Richmond (Astrodome Hire Pty Ltd) have approached Yarra Council to amend the planning controls on their land.
Approved
Amendment C231 – Queens Parade
Amendment C231 introduced permanent built form controls for new development along Queens Parade, Fitzroy North, whilst protecting the existing heritage and amenity of Queens Parade.At adoption, Amendment C231yara was split into three parts and was considered as two separate amendments.
Approved
Amendment C238 - Development Contributions Plan
An amendment to ensure that developers make a fair contribution to our community.
Approved
Amendment C245 – Heritage overlay and zone fix up
Amendment to correct heritage overlay and zoning errors in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Approved
Amendment C250 and extensions – Collingwood South interims
About the amendmentsThe Minister for Planning has approved a series of Amendments that introduced (C250) and extended (C284yara, C292yara, C315yara and C323yara) interim built form controls for Collingwood South (DDO23).The interim controls were first introduced into the Yarra Planning Scheme on the 22 November 2018 via Amendment C250.The latest amendment, C323yara, gazetted on 7 March 2024, extends the interim controls until 30 June 2025, while the permanent controls are being considered by the Minister for Planning.Are we seeking permanent controls?Draft Amendment C293yara proposes to introduce permanent built form controls and design requirements for the Collingwood South Precinct.
Approved
Amendment C269yara - rewrite of local policies
This amendment proposes to introduce new and revised local policies into the Yarra Planning Scheme. 
Approved
Amendment C270yara and Extensions – Fitzroy Collingwood Stage 1 Interims
Amendment to introduce and extend interim planning controls in Fitzroy and Collingwood. 
Current
Amendment C271 Fitzroy and Collingwood
Draft Amendment C271yara is currently on Exhibition.Council will exhibit the draft amendment from 18 November 2024 until 24 February 2025.OverviewThe City of Yarra is experiencing ongoing significant development activity, primarily in activity centres, and other areas of urban change, such as the municipality’s employment precincts.
Current
Amendment C273 Heidelberg Road
The Minister for Planning has referred the Amendment and submissions to the Yarra Activity Centre Standing Advisory Committe (SAC).Referral to the Standing Advisory CommitteeThe Minister for Planning has referred the Amendment C273yara, submissions and all documents related to the Amendment to the Yarra Activity Centre Standing Advisory Committee (the Committee).You can find more information on Yarra’s Advisory Committee Process and Amendments webpage or Planning Panel’s Victoria website and on the Yarra Standing Advisory Committee - Information Sheet.The Committee process includes a Directions Hearing and the Main Hearing.Anyone who made a written submission was invited by Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) to indicate whether they want to participate in the Committee process.
Approved
Amendment C280yara 32-68 Mollison Street Abbotsford
The owners of 32-68 Mollison Street, Abbotsford (AH Meydan Pty Ltd) are proposing to build on a section of their property. 
Approved
Amendment C288 and Extensions – Fitzroy Collingwood Stage 2 Interims
Amendment to introduce and extend interim planning controls (Stage 2) in Fitzroy and Collingwood.
Current
Amendment C291yara - Bridge Road and Victoria Street
Yarra City Council is proposing to introduce permanent built form and design requirements for Bridge Road, Richmond and Victoria Street, Richmond/Abbotsford and some of the surrounding area.These changes will help guide potential future development, ensure development is sensitive to heritage buildings and minimises impacts on sensitive residential interfaces such as backyards and public spaces like footpaths, parks and expanded street corners.The permanent built form and design requirements will be introduced through an amendment to the Yarra Planning Scheme known as Draft Amendment C291yara.
Approved
Amendment C293yara - Collingwood South Precinct
The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C293yara to the Yarra Planning Scheme.The Amendment came into operation when notice of its Approval was published in the Victorian Government Gazette on 11 July 2024.Approved DocumentsTo view the Approved Documents please visit Browse Amendments | Amendment C293yara.
Current
Amendment C309yara Elevating Environmentally Sustainable Development Standards
Yarra City Council is pursuing a joint Planning Scheme Amendment with 24 other Victorian Council to introduce new elevated environmentally sustainable development (ESD) standards in the planning scheme.
Current
Amendment C317yara - Cremorne Precinct Interim Planning Provision
Yarra City Council has prepared interim planning provisions for the Cremorne Enterprise Precinct for the Minister to approve.The proposed controls support new high-quality office and commercial developments but make sure they protect the amenity of the residential precincts within and adjoining Cremorne.
Current
Amendment C318yara Cremorne Precinct Permanent Planning Provisions
This Amendment introduces permanent planning provisions for the Cremorne Precinct.
Approved
Amendments C248, C249 and extensions - Bridge Road & Victoria Street Interims
The amendments were initially approved by the Minister for Planning and formed part of the Yarra Planning Scheme from 15 November 2018.
Approved
Amendments C286yara and C306yara - Public open space contributions
An amendment to increase the open space contributions from developments that subdivide land in Yarra.
Approved
C272yara and Extensions – Heidelberg Road Interims
Amendment to introduce and extend interim planning controls to Heidelberg Road. 

What is a planning scheme?

A planning scheme is a statutory document that sets out objectives, policies and provisions relating to the use, development, protection and conservation of land in the area to which it applies. A planning scheme regulates the use and development of land through planning provisions to achieve those objectives and policies.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) provide further information on Chapter 1: Planning Schemes under their Guide to Planning.

What does a planning scheme contain?

Planning Schemes in Victoria all have the same structure and include

  • maps which show the zones and overlays that affect the land
  • an ordinance with sets outs the written requirements of a scheme
  • incorporated documents

Each municipality has its own planning scheme and the local policies distinguish one planning scheme from another. See a copy of the Yarra Planning Scheme.

What is a planning scheme amendment?

A change to a planning scheme map, the written part of the scheme, or both, is called an amendment. The DTP provide further information on Chapter 2: Amendments under their Guide to Planning

What are the steps in a planning scheme amendment?

Yarra Planning Scheme and Amendments process

Frequently asked questions

Yes, amendments can be made to a planning scheme map or ordinances.

They can be undertaken by the State Government or Yarra City Council.

Individuals, organisations or companies can request a planning scheme amendment from either Yarra City Council or the Minister for Planning.

Planning scheme amendments can be undertaken by the State and Local Governments which are responsible for the operation and development of planning schemes. Individuals, organisations or companies can request a planning scheme amendment from either Local Government or the Minister for Planning. If a request to amend the Planning Scheme is accepted there are fees and costs that apply.

These fees and costs are intended to cover the costs of a planning scheme amendment which include public consultation, administrative costs and any third party or expert review. The fees and costs may vary depending on the size and complexity of the amendment.

For information on fees, please see:

There are specific steps to amending a planning scheme:

  • Authorisation: Council seeks authorisation from the Minister of Planning to prepare an amendment.
  • Exhibition: Community and stakeholders can make written submissions.
  • Submission considered: Council reviews submissions. At this stage they can either abandon the amendment or refer it to an independent planning panel (community and stakeholders can attend and contribute).
  • Planning Panel hearing: Council makes a submission at the hearing. Written submissions are tabled.
  • Panel report: Council considers the panel report and can make changes to the amendment, approve or reject the amendment. Community and stakeholders can attend the meeting to make verbal or written submissions.
  • Approval: Council adopts the amendment and refers the amendment to the Minister for approval. If the Minister approves the amendment, a notice of approval is placed in the Victorian Government Gazette.

These amendments have been approved by the Minister and are included in the Yarra Planning Scheme.

For all other amendments please refer to the Department of Transport and Planning amendments page.

Incorporated documents are part of the planning scheme. They affect its operation and help guide decision-making. They carry the same weight as other parts of the scheme.

Some documents apply to all planning schemes in the state. These are listed at Clause 72.04 Incorporated Documents of the planning scheme.

Other documents just apply in Yarra. They are listed in the Schedule to Clause 72.04 Documents Incorporated in this Planning Scheme.

You can find all incorporated documents on the Yarra Planning Scheme - Incorporated Documents page.

The following are definitions of some of the more common planning terms we use:

Activity Centre: An area that provides a focus for services, employment, housing, transport and social interaction.  They include Yarra's retail streets.

Dwelling: A house, townhouse or apartment. It might be a single dwelling on a lot, a row of dwellings, a block of flats or apartments - each individual residence is a dwelling.

Major Employment Precincts: There are two in Yarra - Cremorne Enterprise Precinct (including Church Street), Richmond and the Gipps Street Employment Precinct in Collingwood.  They host a diversity of traditional industrial uses, commercial offices and creative industries. 

Planning Scheme: A planning scheme is a statutory document that sets out objectives, policies and provisions relating to the use, development, protection and conservation of land in the area to which it applies. A planning scheme regulates the use and development of land through planning provisions to achieve those objectives and policies.

Zones: The planning scheme zones all land to reflect various land uses.  Zones categorise how land is used and there are specific rules relating to each zone. Where can I get more information?

Residential zone:  Land that is predominantly for housing. The residential zone applies to 805 hectares of land in Yarra, accounting for 41% of all land in the municipality.

Mixed use zone: Land that has a mixture of commercial, industrial and residential uses.

Commercial zone: Land that primarily has a commercial purpose, including shops, offices and restaurants.

Heritage Overlay: A planning tool that is applied to properties which are deemed places of natural or cultural significance. A Heritage Overlay provides guidance about how to undertake works which conserve and enhance the significance of heritage properties, and ensures any works are not detrimental to the significance of heritage properties.

Design and Development Overlay: Is a planning tool that is applied to areas which need specific requirements relating to the built form and design of new development. If you want to know more about what DDOs can and cannot guide see the  General Design and Development Overlay (DDO) Information Sheet [ PDF, 1.18 MB] .

For a better understanding of the Victorian Planning System and Planning Schemes, the Guide to Victoria's Planning System provides more information for all users. For more information on Planning in Victoria the Department of Transport and Planning has more information about planning on its website.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) provides further information