Council uses the planning policies and guidelines set out in the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme to make decisions about planning permit applications.
For information related to the planning process visit our Planning services section, or if you are seeking a planning permit we recommend speaking with one of our planners as a first step.
What is a planning scheme?
Victoria's planning system is designed to plan and protect the interest of all Victorians. Local councils and the State Government do this by developing planning schemes to control land use and development.
The Mount Alexander Planning Scheme governs the use and development of land in our shire. It includes:
- Council's vision for land use and development
- The objectives of planning at a state, regional and local level
- Zones which explain how properties can be used
- Zones and overlays which explain what can be constructed with and without a planning permit, including permits also needed for demolition, earth works, paving and vegetation removal
- Specific controls which apply to some land uses and types of development
Planning zones and overlays
When considering the purchase of a property, it is important to find out what planning controls cover the site. This will help you determine whether building or development can be carried out on the land.
Zones
Every property within the shire is located within a specific zone, and they 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
Overlays relate to additional rules about how a particular piece of land can be used, developed or changed. The types of overlays include:
- environmental and landscape
- heritage and built form
- land management
- other.
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 obtain a planning report for your property.
Planning scheme amendments
From time to time, changes are made to the planning scheme. These are called planning scheme amendments.
Visit our planning scheme amendments page to learn about the amendment process, or view current and approved amendments.