Planning FAQ

The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) ensures that careful consideration is given to development applications in areas considered a high bushfire risk.

The BMO triggers the need for a planning permit for certain developments and requires that new development implements appropriate bushfire protection measures.

The BMO requires a planning permit for certain developments and subdivision, bushfire hazards to be assessed and implementation of bushfire protection measures

Useful information for when preparing your application:

• Planning application lodgement requirements - BMO
• Bushfire Planning and Design Accredited Practitioners
• Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning - Bushfire Management Plan Information
• CFA Bushfire Management Overlay

A development plan is an overarching plan that guides development of an area and provides indicative urban design outcomes or policy considerations to inform development. 

The Development Plan must be Generally in Accordance with the Development Plan Overlay of the site.

A Planning Permit is a legal document that gives you permission to use or develop land in a certain way. It usually includes conditions and approved plans which must be complied with.

VicSmart is a streamlined assessment process for straightforward planning applications. To learn more about VicSmart and find out if you qualify for a VicSmart track click here.

LSIO stands for Land Subject to Inundation Overlay. This reflects where break out flows or flooding occurs on a particular site, this can be viewed by VicPlan on map.

Planning
Planning considers the way land is used and developed, and how this impacts the character and amenity (liveability) of an area.

A Planning Permit is a legal document that gives you permission to use or develop land in a certain way. It usually includes conditions and approved plans which must be complied with.

Council is responsible for deciding on Planning Permit applications in Latrobe.

Building
Building is concerned with safe construction practices and considers whether the construction work and new uses conform to building regulations, the Building Code of Australia, and relevant Australian standards.

A Building Permit is a legal document, issued before construction commences, to ensure the building meets the minimum requirements for the health, safety and amenity of occupants and the public. Building Permits are issued by a Private Building Surveyor. A Building Permit is required for most building works, for the change of use of a building (e.g. dwelling to a boarding house, shop to an office etc.), for new buildings and structures, (e.g. fence, pergola) and dwelling alterations.

If you require both permits, you must get the planning permit before applying for the building permit – having an approved planning permit does not mean that you can start construction without first getting a building permit.

When planning applications are submitted within the Alpine Shire municipality, they are processed by our planners. The Alpine Planning Scheme consists of zones, overlays and other provisions which determine whether a permit is required.

Overlays operate in addition to zones. An Overlay may seek to achieve certain design and building standards for the land, including:

• Bushfire
• Environmental
• Land management
• Heritage
• Flood issues
• Parking

Not all land is subject to an overlay. If an overlay applies to a parcel of land, it may specify additional requirements in relation to subdivisions, buildings and works, vegetation removal and other matters.

To check which zones and overlays affect your property, visit the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning's (DELWP) mapping website 

Generally, a permit is required for:

• changing the use of your property (e.g. shop to a medical centre or warehouse to a gym)
• constructing a dwelling on a lot less than 500m2
• outbuildings and sheds in rural areas
• commercial or industrial development
• applying for a liquor licence
• constructing or displaying signage
• waiver or reduction of car parking (associated with changing the use of the land or increasing the floor area of the building)
• construction of another dwelling on a property
• subdivision of land
• creation, variation or removal of easement or restriction.

You should not assume that works, however small, do not require a permit.

A planning permit will expire when a development, a use or subdivision approved by that planning permit is not carried out within the specified timeframes stated on the planning permit.

These timeframes are usually set out in a condition of the permit. The timeframes specify dates for commencing and completing the requirements of the permit.

To extend a permit, you must complete an extension of time request via our Planning Application Portal. 

A request can be made to Council to extend these timeframes:

• Before the permit expires, or
• Within 6 months after the permit expires, or
• Within 12 months after the permit expires if the development lawfully commenced before the expiry date and you wish to extend the time to complete the development. Evidence to show works have commenced may be requested by the Council Officer assessing the application.

The Wandiligong Heritage Guidelines may be viewed here.

Further information in relation to neighbourhood character is available here.

Further information in relation to native vegetation removal may be found here. 

Planning controls relating to Dinner Plain can be found here.