From September 2014, a new VicSmart permit assessment process for straightforward, low-impact planning applications will be introduced in all planning schemes across the state. These applications will be exempt from advertising and a permit decision can be issued by council within 10 business days, using a simple four-step process with pre-set information requirements:

1

To be eligible under VicSmart, the proposal must be listed under one of the twelve classes of application listed in the table below, meet all criteria and be located in the specified zone or overlay. Where a proposal falls into more than one class of VicSmart application, the requirements of each class must be met.

Subdivision 1Type of application

 

  • Subdivide land to realign the common boundary between two lots.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The area of either lot is reduced by less than 15 per cent; and,
  • The general direction of the common boundary does not change.
Where this applies

 

  • All residential zones.
  • All industrial zones.
  • All commercial zones.
  • Capital City Zone.
  • Docklands Zone.
  • Special Building Overlay.
  • Heritage Overlay.

 

Subdivision 2Type of application

 

  • Subdivide land into lots, each containing an existing building or car parking space.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The buildings or car parking spaces have been constructed in accordance with the provisions of the planning scheme or a permit issued under the scheme; and,
  • An occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection has been issued under the Building Regulations in relation to the buildings within five years prior to the application for a permit for subdivision.
Where this applies

 

  • All residential zones (except the Low Density Residential Zone).
  • All industrial zones.
  • All commercial zones.
  • Capital City Zone.
  • Docklands Zone.
  • Special Building Overlay.
  • Heritage Overlay.

 

Subdivision 3 Type of application

 

  • Subdivide land with an approved development into two lots.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The construction of a building or the construction or carrying out of works on the land has been approved under the planning scheme or by a permit issued under the scheme and the permit has not expired; and,
  • The construction or carrying out of the approved building or works on the land has lawfully started; and,
  • The subdivision does not create a vacant lot.
Where this applies

 

  • All residential zones (except the Low Density Residential Zone).
  • All industrial zones.
  • All commercial zones.
  • Capital City Zone.
  • Docklands Zone.
  • Special Building Overlay.
  • Heritage Overlay.

 

Minor buildings and works 4Type of application

 

  • Construct or extend a front fence within 3 metres of a street.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • None
Where this applies

 

  • All residential zones (except the Low Density Residential Zone).

 

Minor buildings and works 5Type of application

 

  • Construct a building or construct or carry out works.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The estimated cost of the buildings or works does not exceed $50,000.
  • The land is not within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone. (This does not apply in a Capital City Zone or Docklands Zone.)
  • Must not be for a purpose listed in the table to Clause 52.10 in the planning scheme.
  • Is not associated with a dwelling in a Mixed Use Zone.

 

Where this applies

 

  • Mixed Use Zone.
  • All industrial zones.
  • All commercial zones.
  • Capital City Zone.
  • Docklands Zone.
Minor buildings and works 6Type of application

 

  • Construct a fence in an overlay.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • None.
Where this applies

 

  • Environmental Significance Overlay.
  • Significant Landscape Overlay.
  • Design and Development Overlay.

 

Minor buildings and works 7Type of application

 

  • Remove, destroy or lop one tree.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • None.
Where this applies

 

  • Environmental Significance Overlay.
  • Vegetation Protection Overlay.
  • Significant Landscape Overlay.
  • Neighbourhood Character Overlay.

 

Minor buildings and works in a Heritage Overlay 8Type of application

 

  • Demolish or remove an outbuilding (including a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure).

 

Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The outbuilding to be demolished or removed is not identified in the schedule to the overlay.
Where this applies

 

  • Heritage Overlay.
8Type of application

 

  • Demolish or remove a fence.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The fence to be demolished or removed is not identified in the schedule to the overlay.

 

Where this applies

 

  • Heritage Overlay.
8Type of application

 

  • Externally alter a non-contributory building.

 

Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The building is a non-contributory building.
Where this applies

 

  • Heritage Overlay.
8Type of application

 

  • External painting.
  • Construct a fence.
  • Construct a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure.
  • Construct and install domestic services normal to a dwelling.
  • Construct and install a non-domestic disabled access ramp.
  • Construct a vehicle cross-over.
  • Construct a domestic swimming pool or spa and associated mechanical equipment and safety fencing.
  • Construct a rainwater tank.
  • Construct or display a sign.
  • Lop a tree.
  • Construct seating, picnic tables, drinking taps, barbeques, rubbish bins, security lighting, irrigation, drainage or underground infrastructure, bollards or telephone boxes.
  • Construct or install a solar energy facility attached to a dwelling.

 

Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • None.
Where this applies

 

  • Heritage Overlay.
Buildings and works in a Special Building Overlay 9Type of application

 

  • Construct a building or construct or carry out works.

 

Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • None.
Where this applies

 

  • Special Building Overlay.
Advertising signs 10Type of application

 

  • Display a sign.
Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • The sign is not within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone.
  • The sign is not a pole sign, sky sign, reflective sign, internally illuminated, floodlit, electronic or animated; and,
  • The total display size of the sign does not exceed 10 square metres.

 

Where this applies

 

  • All industrial zones.
  • All commercial zones.
  • Capital City Zone.
  • Docklands Zone.
Car parking reduction 11Type of application

 

  • Reduce the required number of car parking spaces.

 

Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • By no more than five car spaces.
Where this applies

 

  • All zones.
  • Parking Overlay.
Loading and unloading of vehicles 12Type of application

 

  • Reduce or waive the loading and unloading requirements.

 

Criteria (all must be met)

 

  • None.
Where this applies

 

  • All zones.

For further information, click here or contact Master Builders Policy Unit on (03) 9411 4531.