This course provides an introduction to the residential development provisions in the Victorian planning systems.

The Victoria planning framework is the result of layering of reforms, including the “ResCode” provisions of the early 2000s, residential zone reforms form the 2010s, and a wave of facilitative reforms following the Victorian housing statement in 2023. The different approaches reflected evolving expectations regarding housing outcomes, and starkly contrasting approaches to issues such as neighbourhood character and public participation. These waves of change have resulted in a complex layering of controls. 

This course seeks to demystify and explain the residential provisions. It explores how to make decisions in this framework, including:
• The shifting (and narrowing) scope for consideration of character, context, local policy, and objector concerns.
• The role of deemed-to-comply controls and VicSmart streams.
• How to use Objectives, Standards, and other aspects of the provisions.
• Key challenges and issues for medium density housing assessments.
• The proliferation of special assessment streams.
• Ongoing reforms (including planning controls around activity centres and mooted new controls for mid-rise housing).

The course is aimed particularly at decision-makers such as council statutory planners but is suitable for anyone who wishes to better understand how the provisions work. It is intended for those new to the Victorian system but is also suitable for those looking to refresh their understanding of a shifting landscape.

Designed For 

Urban planners (statutory planners) and others who need to work closely with the residential provisions.

Learning Outcomes

Understanding of the Victorian residential development provisions.

Presenter

Stephen Rowley MPIA (Fellow) is a planner with more than 25 years of experience at state and local government, including 15 years as a statutory planner at local government. He is the author of The Victorian Planning System: Practice, Problems and Prospects, the standard introductory text about the Victorian planning system. He is an experienced planning educator, having taught planning at RMIT and Monash Universities. 
Stephen runs his own planning consultancy, RCI Planning, focussing on providing training and expert witness services. He also works part time at SGS Economics and Planning, where he is a Senior Associate.

Terms & Conditions

Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.

If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.

In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.

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