Melton East

A precinct structure plan (PSP) is a land use and infrastructure plan to guide the development of an area over time. It provides certainty for community members and developers by providing a long-term vision for how an area will develop in the future.

A PSP sets out the preferred locations of residential and employment land and infrastructure, and provides guidance for transport and parking, urban design, heritage and character, open spaces and integrated water management.

Together with the broader planning framework, precinct structure planning is an important part of the Victorian Government’s strategy to address population growth, housing and employment demands.

An Infrastructure Contributions Plan (ICP) is a system for funding basic and essential local infrastructure required by a new community. An ICP ensures that developers within the precinct contribute to the cost of providing new intersections, local open space and community facilities.

An ICP is prepared by a planning authority, usually a council or the Minister for Planning, or a public authority that has been authorised by the Minister, for example the Victorian Planning Authority. The Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Ministerial direction on the preparation and content of Infrastructure Contributions Plans set out the requirements for the preparation and approval of an ICP.

An ICP may be made of one or two parts:

• Standard levy: A single levy that is used to fund transport, community and recreation infrastructure and public land provision. It is a pre-determined monetary rate set by the Minister for Planning through the Ministerial Direction, designed to provide a fair and reasonable budget for funding basic infrastructure essential for new urban development. The standard levy rates for the Metropolitan Greenfield Growth Areas development settings are indexed on 1 July each year in accordance with the indexation method specified in the Ministerial Direction.
• Supplementary levy: a non-standard levy set by the planning authority based on the estimated costs of infrastructure works informed by topographical, geographical, environmental or other physical constraints.

For more information, see Infrastructure Contributions Plans – FAQs.

The PSP has been prepared with the VPA Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines: New Communities in Victoria (2021) and PSP 2.0 process.

As part of this process, the VPA is leading the preparation of the PSP and planning controls for the Precinct in consultation with Melton City Council. The VPA is facilitating a whole-of-government approach, which includes consulting with all relevant stakeholders, including state government agencies, council, landowners, Traditional Owners and local residents and businesses.

For more detail on the planning process to date, including the extensive research and analysis that has been undertaken – please see the Background Report.

Infrastructure will be funded through a variety of sources, including as developer works as part of subdivision, through the Infrastructure Contributions Plan (ICP) and the Drainage Services Scheme (DSS).

The ICP will fund the delivery of essential infrastructure items, including transport infrastructure, three local sports reserves and four multipurpose community centres within the precinct.

Major drainage-related works will be funded through a DSS, to be managed by Melbourne Water.

A planning scheme amendment involves either a change to a planning scheme map, a change to the written part of the scheme, or both.

Amendments to a planning scheme can have significant planning implications as they change the way land can be used or developed, thereby changing the basis of planning decisions in the future.

The draft planning scheme amendment (draft amendment C244melt) has been prepared by the Victorian Planning Authority to implement the Melton East PSP and ICP into the Melton Planning Scheme. A planning scheme amendment is the most appropriate method for implementing the PSP to guide and provide certainty on future land use and development.

Changes to the zoning, overlay and particular provisions of the Melton Planning Scheme will be applied to facilitate development of the precinct. Specifically, the draft amendment proposes to:

• Insert a new Schedule 13 to the Urban Growth Zone and rezone land in the precinct to Urban Growth Zone 13 (UGZ13) and Rural Conservation Zone 3 (RCZ3).
• Apply an Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) to land identified as having high risk for potential contamination.
• Applies the Heritage Overlay to the Beattys Road Nissen Hut (HO207).
• Include native vegetation exemptions in the Schedule to Clause 52.17 Native Vegetation of the Melton Planning Scheme.
• Applies the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) applied to land required for the Mount Cotrell Road / Western Freeway Interchange.
• Inserts Schedule 4 to the Infrastructure Contributions Overlay (ICO4) and applies it to the precinct.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is responsible for the planning of new suburbs and renewal sites in Victoria. The VPA is the Planning Authority for draft amendment C244melt – meaning that it is responsible for this amendment.

The VPA reports to the Minister for Planning while working closely with Melton City Council, government agencies and the community on integrated land use and infrastructure coordination for important development sites and precincts.

Our key priorities include unlocking land for new homes and communities, facilitating housing diversity and affordability, job creation and better development of new communities in growing and established areas.

Melbourne Water is the waterway, drainage and floodplain authority for the Port Phillip and Westernport region. They work with local Councils and government to ensure that appropriate drainage and water management infrastructure is in place to support increased demand, to protect people and property from flooding, and to protect our waterways.

Flooding will be managed through new drainage infrastructure in the precinct. New drainage areas have been identified in the PSP and will be implemented as part of Melbourne Water’s Development Services Scheme (DSS) for the area. The DSS will ensure that development within the PSP is protected from flooding.

The PSP also includes Integrated Water Management strategies to enhance catchment resilience and manage existing and future flood risks and impacts.

The Melton East PSP area falls within the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) area under the federal Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, where the Growling Grass Frog is an endangered animal identified for protection.

The precinct contains part of Conservation Area 15 Western Growth Corridor: Growling Grass Frog corridors (north) under the MSA which is situated around Kororoit Creek. Conservation land will be zoned Rural Conservation Zone 3 (RCZ3) as part of the amendment to protect the land. The Crown will acquire the conservation land as development in the precinct occurs.

An arboricultural assessment was also undertaken to confirm the retention value of native vegetation within the precinct, and high-value trees are identified as ‘must be retained’ in the PSP.

Climate change has been considered within the plan through the incorporation of key elements such as open space, the Development Services Scheme, tree canopy enhancement, and integrated water management strategies. Additionally, the PSP emphasises achieving environmentally sustainable development (ESD) outcomes, such as a walkable built form and 20-Minute Neighbourhood, ensuring that the development will align with long-term environmental sustainability goals.

The VPA has procured an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment for the Melton East precinct to identify areas of tangible cultural heritage. To further identify any tangible and intangible cultural heritage values, the VPA has also worked with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWCHAC) to produce a Cultural Values Assessment (CVA). As part of the preparation of the CVA, the WWCHAC conducted a site ‘walk over’ and the PSP includes an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Plan to show areas of significance.

A Cultural Heritage Permit was also granted to undertake excavations in indicative bridge crossing locations over Kororoit creek to provide additional cultural heritage information at the sites planned for Tarletons Road and Paynes Road bridges.

Infrastructure and development staging involves strategically planning and phasing projects over time to ensure efficient implementation and sustainability through the consideration of factors such as funding, regulations, and practicality.

An Infrastructure and Development Staging Plan (IDSP) facilitates development in preferred locations to mitigate sequencing that results in poor outcomes. It is based on a reasonable forecast of the preferred pattern and timing of development in the precinct.

The IDSP has been prepared to deliver the Development Services Scheme and outfall provisions, as well as other key transport infrastructure such as arterial roads and intersections to secure safe and efficient transport routes for new residents. There are no significant State-funded projects required to facilitate the development of the precinct.

The Urban Growth Zone (UGZ) designates land for future urban development, facilitating the transition from non-urban to urban use. It encourages the creation of well-planned, services urban communities in line with PSPs, streamlines approval processes in these areas, and protects non-urban land from activities that could impede its future urban development.

The Infrastructure Contributions Overlay (ICO) outlines requirements for monetary and/or land contributions within a specific area, often to secure land for public open space, sports grounds, community facilities and key infrastructure such as roads and intersections. Typically prepared by a planning authority like a municipal council or the Minister for Planning, its creation and approval follow guidelines set by the Planning and Environment Act and ministerial directives.

The Heritage Overlay (HO) is applied to identified heritage places where planning controls are required to conserve and enhance its significance. A planning permit is typically required to demolish or externally alter an existing building or to subdivide or construct a new building where a HO applies.

The Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) ensures assessment of potentially contaminated land occurs before a new sensitive use begins. The EAO is typically applied where earlier land uses may have contaminated the land. Assessment of potentially contaminated land is done through the planning permit process.

The Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) is applied to identified land to reserve it for a public purpose and indicates that this land could be compulsorily acquired in the future.

The Melton East precinct will be urbanised with new homes, businesses and infrastructure. There will be new work opportunities for local residents, with approximately 2,000 new jobs expected to be generated alongside approximately 12,000 new homes. The PSP will also deliver new transport, drainage and community infrastructure, including facilitation of:

• New intersections along Melton Highway and Leakes Road, as well as several new intersections within the precinct;
• Two neighbourhood activity centres and two local convenience centres;
• Four government primary schools, a government secondary school and land for two non-government primary schools;
• Four multipurpose community centrse including kindergartens and meeting rooms for community use;
• A public open space network including a regional active open space facility, three active open space facilities and fourteen local parks.

If you choose to subdivide your land, a separate lot will need to be created for the conservation area, and an agreement must be entered with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. To find out more, please visit DEECA’s website.

Any person, including residents, landowners, and other affected community members can make a written submission on draft Amendment C244melt and accompanying documents.

Draft Amendment C244melt and all supporting documents are available free of charge to the general public on the VPA’s project webpage and on the Engage Victoria webpage under the Documents section.

Phone interpreters in all languages are available on 03 8351 3452. If you would like to receive translated copies of any material, contact us via 03 9651 9600 or email Genna Walkley, Strategic Planner Manager, at genna.walkley@vpa.vic.gov.au.

Submissions must be received by 5pm on 31 March 2025

Submissions received after this date may not be considered by the VPA and will be assessed to determine how or if they can be considered.

Submissions on Amendment C295case must be made in writing to the VPA via the submissions form on this page or by post.

Post:

Victorian Planning Authority
c/- Melton East PSP
GPO Box 2392
Melbourne VIC 3001

We have prepared a How to Make a Submission guide to help you navigate making a submission on a planning scheme amendment. You can access it on the Documents section on the Engage Victoria webpage or on the VPA webpage.

Submissions relating to the Development Services Scheme (DSS)

Any submission relating to the Development Services Scheme will need to adhere to the following criteria:

• Ensuring the DSS objectives are met:
• Flood protection is to be provided for properties within the PSP
• New developments are not to further exacerbate existing flooding conditions for downstream/neighbouring properties.
• New developments are to achieve appropriate best practice stormwater quality treatment for flows generated from their property to mitigate impacts on downstream environments
• To optimise drainage land requirements within the existing Urban Floodway Zone area and Melbourne Water owned land
• Proposed constructed waterways to provide safe drainage and flood protection and to incorporate environmental, cultural and amenity values
• Climate Change effects to be included in the Development Services Scheme design
• Protect/minimise impacts on existing environmental and waterway values
• Meet critical and other agency asset operational requirements to ensure constructability (i.e. water supply mains, transmission infrastructure and assets)
• Achieve the principles as set out in the Melbourne Water Principles for Provision of Waterway and Drainage Services for Urban Growth (i.e. equity, cost/performance balance)

Other requirements

• Need to refer to the Drainage Strategy Concept report for additional information.
• Maximise drainage within existing Urban Floodway Zone
• No detrimental impact to performance, operation, maintenance or access to Melbourne Water supply mains.
• Ongoing asset ownership considerations
• If an asset is servicing a catchment <60ha, it will be vested to Council
• If an asset is servicing a catchment >60ha, it will be vested to Melbourne Water
• Consideration of the implementation and delivery of assets post PSP gazettal.
• Melbourne Water will not consider assets that clearly demonstrate a shifting of assets from one property to another without meeting the above objectives.

Submissions provided to the Victorian Planning Authority are part of an open public process where all parties affected by the planning scheme can provide input into the draft amendment.

If you choose to make a submission, you consent to your submission being made public, and being identified as the author of the submission.

Your submission will be made available for public inspection on the VPA website until two months after gazettal of the resulting planning scheme amendment and will also be made available to relevant Ministers and local councils, and other involved government agencies.

If you are a private individual, your personal information will be removed from your submission before it is released to parties outside government or local councils. Contact details do not include the address of land which is the subject of your submission.

By making a submission, you also give permission for copyright material to be copied and made public.

You can call the VPA project team at any time during business hours, Monday to Friday 9 – 5pm on 03 9651 9660 (Genna Walkley). You can also email the team via MeltonEast@vpa.vic.gov.au

Once a submission is made to the VPA, you will first receive a notice to acknowledge it has been received.

After the consultation period ends, VPA staff will review all submissions received. As part of this process, VPA staff may contact submitters as required to further discuss their submission and any changes sought.

If required, draft Amendment C295case may be subject to the VPA Projects Standing Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC has been established to provide independent advice on draft planning scheme amendments to the VPA and the Minister for Planning.

While the VPA will seek to resolve issues raised by submitters, following the public consultation process, the Minister for Planning will be advised of the outcomes and provided with options to resolve submissions, including, but not limited to, referral to the SAC. If so, submitters will be contacted regarding next steps, process, and timing.

This is the final phase of consultation on the Melton East PSP and the only phase of consultation on Amendment C244melt to the Melton Planning Scheme.

If you make a submission, you may be invited to participate in a subsequent independent review process. Otherwise, this is your final opportunity to have your say on the strategic planning for the Melton East PSP.