Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines

Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines: New Communities in Victoria

The Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines: New Communities in Victoria (PDF)  (the Guidelines) are a Victorian Government initiative to ensure the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and other planning authorities prepare plans for places that enable best practice, liveable new communities.

The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide the framework for preparing Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) that guarantee quality outcomes while also being flexible, responsive and supportive of innovation.

The Guidelines are based on planning for 20-minute neighbourhoods, a principle in Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 that advocates for living locally to ensure accessible, safe and attractive local communities.

The Guidelines are structured in four parts to guide the development of PSPs.

 

 

 

 

Provides the social and policy context for preparing a PSP, including how the Guidelines ensure a future where Victoria is socially and economically strong, environmentally resilient and engaged with the opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

Practitioners should use this section to understand the overarching approach to precinct planning and key considerations for application of the Guidelines.

For more information, refer to:

 

 

 

 

Outlines the process for preparing a PSP with key stakeholders using the PSP 2.0 approach to develop a shared vision for the precinct and resolve key planning challenges early.

It also outlines key aspects of the innovation pathway, which provides an opportunity to pursue a place-specific opportunity to deliver significantly elevated performance outcomes above the baseline set by these Guidelines.

Practitioners should use this section to ensure the process for developing their PSP is aligned to best practice and to consider opportunities for innovation in their PSP.

For more information, refer to:

 

 

 

 

Provides specific guidance on the General Principles and Performance Targets to be adopted when preparing a PSP.

PSPs that align with Part 3 of the Guidelines will be delivered in line with best practice policies including the 20-minute neighbourhood, Department of Transport and Planning’s Movement and Place Framework, Resilient Melbourne’s Living Melbourne – Our Metropolitan Urban Forest, Victorian Planning Provisions and other state and federal policies.

Part 3 provides guidance on how to apply the principles and targets within a PSP document, and where innovative approaches should be considered.

Practitioners should use this section to develop and review the content of their PSPs.

For more information, refer to:

 

 

 

Provides guidance on the more detailed aspects of planning for Victoria’s new communities.

For more information, refer to:

The Practitioner’s Toolbox is updated regularly and includes information on the latest tools and practices.

Practitioners should use this section to inform specific elements of preparing and implementing a PSP.

Current guidance and tools for the preparation of PSPs are available for download below:

Guidance to assist planners in applying the PSP Guidelines in regional areas:

Guidance to assist planners in determining the need for non-government schools in PSP and options for planning for them

Guidance to assist planners in incorporating Integrated Water Management in PSPs:

Current guidance and tools for the implementation of PSPs are available for download below:

Guidance to bring clarity and certainty to developments by providing analysis, VCAT commentary and case studies to help developers, referral authorities and decision makers understand and apply the term to their own permit applications.

The Sustainable Subdivisions Framework was developed by the Council Alliance for Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE), with a group of 16 Councils in partnership with the VPA. It enables assessment of sustainability measures at the planning stage to ensure that sustainability is embedded at the subdivision scale, recognising its role in the making of new communities.

Key ideas

Explore the key ideas in the Guidelines by selecting a topic from the list below:

Wetlands with medium density housing in the background

Traditional Owner engagement

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is committed to better engagement with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal […]

Landscape image of a health centre

Amenity-based density model

The Guidelines are underpinned by Plan Melbourne’s 20-minute neighbourhood principle. At the heart of the 20-minute […]

Medium density town houses

Affordability

The Guidelines will improve affordability in new communities by:  Requiring local needs assessment to determine affordable housing requirements Providing […]

Open space with integrated water management of lakes crisscrossed with walking paths

Integrated Water Management

The Guidelines will drive better sustainability outcomes through better Integrated Water Management, conserving landscape features and biodiversity, […]

The New Williams Landing Railway/Train Station access bridge for foot traffic

Infrastructure coordination

Smarter infrastructure investment, and an integrated approach to land-use planning, is essential to unlocking development […]

Playground with stepping stones and open space

Innovation Pathway

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is encouraging leading practice and supporting resolution of key challenges […]

Supporting Documentation

VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - FAQs - October 2021
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - FAQs - October 2021 PDF  Version
Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - Barriers and Solutions for Increased Tree Canopy in Victoria's New Communities (HIP V. HYPE) November 2021
Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - Barriers and Solutions for Increased Tree Canopy in Victoria's New Communities (HIP V. HYPE) November 2021 PDF  Version
Victorian Planning Authority - Guidance Note - Applying the PSP Guidelines in regional areas - 2021
Victorian Planning Authority - Guidance Note - Applying the PSP Guidelines in regional areas - 2021 PDF  Version
Victorian Planning Authority - Guidance Note - PSP2.0 - November 2021
Victorian Planning Authority - Guidance Note - PSP2.0 - November 2021 PDF  Version
Victorian Planning Authority - The Innovation Pathway - PSP 2.0 Process - Guidelines Fact Sheet - November 2021
Victorian Planning Authority - The Innovation Pathway - PSP 2.0 Process - Guidelines Fact Sheet - November 2021 PDF  Version
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - October 2021
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - October 2021 PDF  Version
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - Introduction - October 2021
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - Introduction - October 2021 PDF  Version
PSP Guidelines 2020 - Guidelines for PSP in Melbourne's Greenfield - Stakeholder Consultation Report - June 2021
PSP Guidelines 2020 - Guidelines for PSP in Melbourne's Greenfield - Stakeholder Consultation Report - June 2021 PDF  Version
Regional and peri-urban stakeholder workshop - Summary report (March 2021)
Regional and peri-urban stakeholder workshop - Summary report (March 2021) PDF  Version
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - Launch Presentation - November 2021
VPA - Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines - New Communities in Victoria - Launch Presentation - November 2021 PDF  Version