Amendment status: Approval under consideration with the Planning Minister

Council Meeting 25 September 2023

At the Ordinary Meeting of 25 September 2023, Council considered the recommendations of the Planning Panel on Amendment C231 to the Melton Planning Scheme. It was resolved at this Ordinary Meeting that Council adopt Amendment C231 to the Melton Planning Scheme and submit the amendment to the Minister for Planning for approval.

Planning Panel

On 2 May 2023, under delegation, the Minister for Planning appointed a one-person Panel to hear and consider submissions.

The Planning Panel was conducted online as follows:

  • Directions Hearing – 10:00am, 11 May 2023
  • Additional Directions Hearing – 9:15am, 8 June 2023
  • Panel Hearing – 14 and 15 June 2023

In July 2023, the Panel provided their report on the amendment. You can read the Panel’s report below:

You can view material considered by the planning panel in the links below.

Planning Panel Documentation

For more information on the Planning Scheme Amendment process, please visit the Department of Transport and Planning Website

Council Meeting 24 April 2023

At the Ordinary Meeting of 24 April 2023, Council considered the two submissions received in response to Amendment C231 to the Melton Planning Scheme during the public exhibition period. It was resolved at this Ordinary Meeting that Council request that the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Planning Panel to review unresolved submissions and the planning scheme amendment.

Public Exhibition

Public Exhibition of Amendment C231 to the Melton Planning Scheme occurred between 10 November - 12 December 2022.

Two submissions were received during the Public Exhibition as follows:

Submissions are part of an open public process undertaken in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987 where all parties affected by the planning scheme amendment can provide input. Submissions must be made in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make. Name and contact details of submitters were required for council to consider submissions and to notify such persons of the opportunity to attend council meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions. Hearings may occur either in person or via electronic means, subject to COVID-19 restrictions. The planning authority must make a copy of every submission available on its website for any person to inspect free of charge for two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses. Personal/contact details will be redacted from the submission.

Amendment Details

Melton City Council has prepared Amendment C231 to the Melton Planning Scheme.

The Amendment implements the findings of the City of Melton Heritage Assessment Project 2020/21.

The Amendment is required to protect five heritage places outside the urban growth boundary assessed to be of local heritage significance. Including these places in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay and incorporating the statements of significance formally recognises the heritage value of the properties.

The Amendment also proposes to delete a portion of existing HO60 to allow for the Soldier Settlement House at 740-794 Mt Aitken Road, Diggers Rest and 10m curtilage to be included in the new HO141.

The Heritage Overlay ensures that a planning permit is required for demolition and a range of buildings and works to ensure the heritage significance is protected. Any proposal will then be able to be assessed by council having regard to the purpose and decision guidelines of the Heritage Overlay.

Amendment Status: Exhibition.

What is being amended?

In particular the amendment:

1. Amends the Schedule to Clause 43.01 to include the following heritage places on a permanent basis as follows:

  • HO138 – The Oaks Homestead at 1809-1859 Gisborne-Melton Road, Kurunjang
  • HO139 – Diggers Rest Army Housing Estate at Unit 1-6, Unit 8-18, 117 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, Diggers Rest
  • HO140 – Minns Road Bridge over Toolern Creek, Kurunjang
  • HO141 – Soldier Settlement Housing at 115-131 Napier Street, 480-580, 726-738, 740-794 & 796-830 Mt Aitken Road, Diggers Rest
  • HO142 – Hillview house at 332 Benson Road, Toolern Vale

2. Amends Planning Scheme Maps as follows:

  • 1HO to include HO142
  • 2HO to include HO141 and delete part of HO60
  • 3HO to include HO139
  • 6HO to include HO138 and HO140

3. Amends the Schedule to Clause 72.04 to incorporate the incorporated documents.

Amendment Documents

You may inspect the amendment, any documents that support the amendment and the explanatory report about the amendment free of charge.

At the City of Melton website on the links below:

Incorporated documents:

Additional supporting documentation:

Full copies of the amendment can be accessed free of charge from Thursday 10 November onward at the following locations:

  • During office hours at Melton Civic Centre at 232 High Street, Melton
  • During office hours at Caroline Springs Civic Centre/Library, 193-201 Caroline Springs Blvd, Caroline Springs
  • At the Department of Transport and Planning website

FAQ

The amendment proposes to add five places to the schedule to the Heritage Overlay. These five places were investigated and found to have local heritage significance. The land affected by the amendment is:

  • 1809-1859 Gisborne-Melton Road, Kurunjang
  • Unit 1-6, Unit 8-18, 117 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road, Diggers Rest
  • Minns Road Bridge over Toolern Creek, Kurunjang
  • 115-131 Napier Street, 480-580, 726-738, 740-794 & 796-830 Mt Aitken Road, Diggers Rest
  • 332 Benson Road, Toolern Vale

    • The amendment proposes to delete a portion of existing HO60 to allow for the Soldier Settlement House at 740-794 Mt Aitken Road, Diggers Rest and 10m curtilage to be included in the new HO141.

    The existing HO60 will be retained across the remainder of 740-794 Mt Aitken Road and there will be two distinct statements of significance which will explain the different values of each Heritage Overlay area. The property will be subject to controls from both HO60 and HO141.

    The Heritage Overlay is a planning control that seeks to protect places of historic, social, or aesthetic significance. The Heritage Overlay does not prohibit development, alterations, or demolition. The inclusion of a property in the Heritage Overlay means a planning permit is required to demolish, construct, alter or extend a heritage place.

    Planning applications are assessed on their merits, with permits being granted to facilitate redevelopment of heritage places is not uncommon.

    If your property is listed on the Heritage Overlay, Council provides owners with a free Heritage Advisory Service and a Heritage Assistance Fund which provides funds for the conservation, maintenance, and repair of heritage properties. If you have an interest in hearing more about these services please go to www.melton.vic.gov.au/Heritage or contact the City Strategy Team on 9747 7200 or via email citysupport@melton.vic.gov.au

    Amendment C231 is on public exhibition from Thursday 10 November – Friday 12 December 2022.

    Full copies of the amendment can be accessed free of charge from Thursday 10 November onward at the following locations:

  • Council website www.melton.vic.gov.au/planningschemeamendments
  • Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website www.delwp.vic.gov.au/public-inspection

    • Council Officers are still available to discuss the Amendment with the community by email and phone. Contact Tunc Ozlatif, in the City Strategy Team by phone 9747 5496 or via email to citysupport@melton.vic.gov.au

    Submissions must be made in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.

    The name and contact details of submitters are required for council to consider submissions and to notify persons of the opportunity to attend council meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions. Hearings may occur either in person or via electronic means, subject to COVID-19.

    Submissions should focus on heritage related issues, including:

  • The assessment criteria in the statement of significance, and why you believe the property does not meet the relevant criteria.
  • The history or description of the property in the heritage citation, and why you believe it may be inaccurate or wrong.
  • Details of alterations or additions to a property that may affect its heritage significance.

    • When deciding whether a property is to be included in a Heritage Overlay, Council cannot consider:

  • Potential impacts on property values, or the personal situation of landowners.
  • The ability of a property owner to make alterations or demolish a house.
  • Impacts on the subdivision potential of land.

    • When making a submission to Council it is useful to include photographs of the places you are talking about. It helps Council Officers understand the submission, particularly if the submission is in regard to inaccuracies in the description of or the condition of a proposed place.

    A submission must be sent to:

    The Manager City Design and Strategy, Melton City Council, PO Box 21, Melton 3337 or via email to citysupport@melton.vic.gov.au

    The closing date for submissions is Monday 12 December 2022.

    The planning authority must make a copy of every submission available on its website for any person to inspect free of charge for two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses. Your personal/contact details will be redacted from the submission.

    At the conclusion of the public exhibition period (12 December 2022), Council will consider all submissions and any outstanding objections will be referred to a Planning Panel. The Planning Panel (if required) will then make a recommendation to the Council who must consider the report. The final amendment documents will be reported to Council for Council’s resolution, which may be to adopt, change or abandon the amendment and will then be sent to the Minister for Planning who makes the final decision on the amendment.