Officer Precinct Structure Plan

Amendment C232card to the Cardinia Shire Planning Scheme (Officer Town Centre Review)

The Officer Town Centre Review was approved by the Minister for Planning and gazetted in March 2020 under Amendment C232card to the Cardinia Planning Scheme.

To view a copy of the final amendment documentation, including the Officer Precinct Structure Plan, refer to:

About the Precinct Structure Plan

Officer is located in Cardinia Shire, within Melbourne’s South East growth corridor, approximately 50 kilometres south-east of the Melbourne Central Business District.
A Precinct Structure Plan was prepared for Officer by Cardinia Shire Council and approved by the Minister for Planning in December 2011 under Amendment C149 to the Cardinia Shire Planning Scheme.

A key component of the Officer Precinct Structure Plan is the town centre, which is identified as a major town centre in key strategic planning documents, including Plan Melbourne. Since the original Officer Precinct Structure Plan was approved in 2011, there has been little private investment in the additional services and facilities required by the growing community. The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and Council have worked together to amend the previously approved PSP, with the aim to unlock investment in the town centre.

Amendment VC249

The Development Contributions Plan (DCP) for this precinct was amended as a result of Amendment VC249. 

On 15 January 2024, Amendment VC249 came into effect to further facilitate the development of small second dwellings introduced by Amendment VC253. Amendment VC249 exempts development for a small second dwelling from existing development contributions plans. The changes ensure an applicant does not pay a development contribution when a small second dwelling is developed. 

For further information, refer to:

Public Access to Spatial Data

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) makes spatial data for gazetted plans available through the use of an online ‘Open Data’ portal. Spatial Data available for this precinct is provided for reference only and holds no official status. Please see our Open Data page for a detailed description of the data and links to download.

Background information

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. 

Project information

Officer is located in Cardinia Shire local government area, in the South-East Growth Corridor of Melbourne.

The Precinct is approximately 1,021 hectares of land and is located between the existing urban areas of Beaconsfield (to the west) and Pakenham (to the east), with the Urban Growth Boundary forming the northern boundary of the PSP and the future Officer Employment PSP to the south.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA), in collaboration with the Cardinia Shire Council, has reviewed the Officer Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), and focused on sections related to the Officer town centre.

The PSP was originally prepared by Cardinia Shire Council in 2011, and guides the development of the Officer precinct and reserves land for key infrastructure, such as roads, local parks and community uses.

Next steps

The VPA is responsible for preparing the revised PSP for Officer, however it cannot determine what or when development will occur in the town centre. The PSP establishes a blueprint for development, however the exact type and timing of development is determined by the owners of each land parcel. It is hoped that with increasing residential development in Officer and a simplified, revised PSP, private investment in the town should follow.

Review process

The review process included a thorough assessment of the controls that apply to the Officer town centre, resulting in significant consolidation of much of this content. In particular, the review has removed a number of the more onerous and repetitive controls included in the PSP, while retaining the strategic intent of the document to plan for high-quality, engaging, urban development.

The review also included an assessment of the table of uses in the Urban Growth Zone Schedule 4, which sets out the land uses that are allowed in the town centre. The review has replaces the previously very complex table with standard residential and employment zones, for example Commercial 1 Zone. This will make it easier for planners and development applicants to understand how different parts of the town centre can be developed.

The review aimed to simplify and consolidate many of the planning and design guidelines and other parts of the text relating to the Officer town centre. This has made it easier for applicants and planners to understand what is required of development in the town centre.

However, the review does not intend to make significant structural changes to the plans for the Officer town centre e.g. it does not plan to change the road network or location of parks.

All changes in the revised PSP are identified in both the contents page and body of the document by a note indicating content has been either ‘inserted’, ‘deleted’ or ‘amended by C232’. Page numbers are the same in the original and revised PSPs, so it is easy to directly compare the content of each.

 

The current PSP includes a number of relatively prescriptive and repetitive controls that do not allow the flexibility and adaptability required to facilitate private sector investment. While the PSP is important in establishing a blueprint for the future town centre, it should allow applicants to interpret the plan appropriately. This flexibility enables a vibrant town centre that is able to adapt to changing commercial trends, and other changing circumstances.

This review will stimulate investment in the town centre by firstly, improving the flexibility of the controls applying to the town centre, removing barriers to development. Secondly, the review will standardise the residential and commercial zones applied by the Urban Growth Zone so applicants and planners have greater certainty about what can be built in the town centre.

Supporting Documentation

Amendment C232 Officer Precinct Structure Plan - September 2011 (Amended November 2019)
Amendment C232 Officer Precinct Structure Plan - September 2011 (Amended November 2019) PDF  Version
Officer Development Contributions Plan - September 2011 (Amended December 2023)
Officer Development Contributions Plan - September 2011 (Amended December 2023) PDF  Version
Hygain Feeds - Buffer Assessment - (GHD) - September 2011
Hygain Feeds - Buffer Assessment - (GHD) - September 2011 PDF  Version
Officer Town Centre review - Community newsletter - March 2018
Officer Town Centre review - Community newsletter - March 2018 PDF  Version
Biosis Research_Flora and Fauna Assessment_Officer Precinct_Draft_2006-03-22
Biosis Research_Flora and Fauna Assessment_Officer Precinct_Draft_2006-03-22 PDF  Version
Biosis Research_Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan_VicUrban Officer_2008-09
Biosis Research_Growling Grass Frog Conservation Management Plan_VicUrban Officer_2008-09 PDF  Version
Biosis Research_Growling Grass Frog Conservation Managment Plan_Pakenham Bypass_2005-02
Biosis Research_Growling Grass Frog Conservation Managment Plan_Pakenham Bypass_2005-02 PDF  Version
Buchan Group_Officer Town Centre Masterplan_Preliminary Rev E_2011-05
Buchan Group_Officer Town Centre Masterplan_Preliminary Rev E_2011-05 PDF  Version
Context_Proposed Revisions of Heritage Overlay Boundaries_Officer Township_Final_2010-10-11
Context_Proposed Revisions of Heritage Overlay Boundaries_Officer Township_Final_2010-10-11 PDF  Version
Context_Response to GAA comments on revisions to Officer Heritage Overlay boundaries_2011-01-04
Context_Response to GAA comments on revisions to Officer Heritage Overlay boundaries_2011-01-04 PDF  Version
CSC_Ecology Partners_Native Vegetation Precinct Plan_Officer Precinct_2011-09
CSC_Ecology Partners_Native Vegetation Precinct Plan_Officer Precinct_2011-09 PDF  Version
DOT_Public Transport Guidelines For Land Use Development_2008
DOT_Public Transport Guidelines For Land Use Development_2008 PDF  Version
DSE_A Plan For Melbourne's Growth Areas_2006
DSE_A Plan For Melbourne's Growth Areas_2006 PDF  Version
DSE_Activity Centre Design Guidelines_Growth Areas_2005-01
DSE_Activity Centre Design Guidelines_Growth Areas_2005-01 PDF  Version
DSE_Development Contributions Guidelines_2003-06-16_Amended 2007-03
DSE_Development Contributions Guidelines_2003-06-16_Amended 2007-03 PDF  Version
DSE_Guidelines For Higher Density Residential Development_2004-10
DSE_Guidelines For Higher Density Residential Development_2004-10 PDF  Version
DSE_Native Vegetation Management - A Framework For Action_2002
DSE_Native Vegetation Management - A Framework For Action_2002 PDF  Version
DSE_Potentially Contaminated Land_GPN_2005-06
DSE_Potentially Contaminated Land_GPN_2005-06 PDF  Version
DSE_Safer Design Guidelines For Victoria_2005-06
DSE_Safer Design Guidelines For Victoria_2005-06 PDF  Version
Ecology Australia_Cardinia Creek Conservation Management Plan_Officer Precinct_2011-09-08
Ecology Australia_Cardinia Creek Conservation Management Plan_Officer Precinct_2011-09-08 PDF  Version
Ecology Australia_Indigenous Vegetation Survey_Pakenham Growth Area_Vol 1_2004-01
Ecology Australia_Indigenous Vegetation Survey_Pakenham Growth Area_Vol 1_2004-01 PDF  Version
Ecology Australia_Indigenous Vegetation Survey_Sites of Significance_Pakenham Growth Area_Vol 2_2004-01
Ecology Australia_Indigenous Vegetation Survey_Sites of Significance_Pakenham Growth Area_Vol 2_2004-01 PDF  Version
Ecology Partners_Biodiversity Assessment_Officer Precinct_Draft_2011-05
Ecology Partners_Biodiversity Assessment_Officer Precinct_Draft_2011-05 PDF  Version
Ecology Partners_Conservation Management Plan (Excluding Cardinia Creek)_Officer Precinct_2011-09-15
Ecology Partners_Conservation Management Plan (Excluding Cardinia Creek)_Officer Precinct_2011-09-15 PDF  Version
Ecology Partners_Flora and Fauna Assessment_Officer Precinct_Draft_2008-06
Ecology Partners_Flora and Fauna Assessment_Officer Precinct_Draft_2008-06 PDF  Version
Ecology Partners_Growling Grass Frog Strategic Advice_Officer Precinct_2006-06
Ecology Partners_Growling Grass Frog Strategic Advice_Officer Precinct_2006-06 PDF  Version
Ecology Partners_Targeted Significant Flora and Fauna Surveys_Officer Precinct_2009-04
Ecology Partners_Targeted Significant Flora and Fauna Surveys_Officer Precinct_2009-04 PDF  Version
Hansen Partnership_Landscape Assessment_Officer West_2011-01
Hansen Partnership_Landscape Assessment_Officer West_2011-01 PDF  Version
SMEC Australia_Officer Road Network - Intersection Layout Plans_Final_2011-09
SMEC Australia_Officer Road Network - Intersection Layout Plans_Final_2011-09 PDF  Version
Graeme Butler_Cardinia Shire Heritage Study_Vol 3_Heritage Places_1996
Graeme Butler_Cardinia Shire Heritage Study_Vol 3_Heritage Places_1996 PDF  Version
Tardis Enterprises_Desktop Cultural Heritage Assessment_Officer Precinct_2011-01-13
Tardis Enterprises_Desktop Cultural Heritage Assessment_Officer Precinct_2011-01-13 PDF  Version
Terramatrix_Fire Risk Assessment Study_North West Corner Officer Precinct_Draft_2011-02
Terramatrix_Fire Risk Assessment Study_North West Corner Officer Precinct_Draft_2011-02 PDF  Version
Parks Victoria_Cardinia Creek Parklands Future Directions Plan_2002-12
Parks Victoria_Cardinia Creek Parklands Future Directions Plan_2002-12 PDF  Version
Tardis Enterprises_Cultural Heritage Assessment_Officer Precinct_2009-07-16
Tardis Enterprises_Cultural Heritage Assessment_Officer Precinct_2009-07-16 PDF  Version
VicRoads_Access Management Policies and Traffic Impact Assessment Report_Version 1.02_2006-05
VicRoads_Access Management Policies and Traffic Impact Assessment Report_Version 1.02_2006-05 PDF  Version
Stormy Water Solutions_Grasslands Wetland Functional Design_Officer_2011-04-08
Stormy Water Solutions_Grasslands Wetland Functional Design_Officer_2011-04-08 PDF  Version
Heritage Council of Victoria_Conservation Management Plans - Managing Heritage Places_2010-06
Heritage Council of Victoria_Conservation Management Plans - Managing Heritage Places_2010-06 PDF  Version
Growth Areas Authority_Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines_Part 1_2009
Growth Areas Authority_Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines_Part 1_2009 PDF  Version
Growth Areas Authority_Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines_Part 2_2009
Growth Areas Authority_Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines_Part 2_2009 PDF  Version
Meindhardt_Desktop Environmental, Hydrology and Geotechnical Assessment_Officer Precinct_2011-02
Meindhardt_Desktop Environmental, Hydrology and Geotechnical Assessment_Officer Precinct_2011-02 PDF  Version
SMEC Australia_Officer Road Network - General Layout Plans_Final_2011-09
SMEC Australia_Officer Road Network - General Layout Plans_Final_2011-09 PDF  Version
Comparison Report - Officer 2011 PSP & Officer 2018 PSP - March 2018
Comparison Report - Officer 2011 PSP & Officer 2018 PSP - March 2018 PDF  Version