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:
- Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines – New Communities in Victoria – Part 2 – October 2021 (PDF)
- Victorian Planning Authority – The Innovation Pathway – PSP 2.0 Process – Guidelines Fact Sheet – November 2021 (PDF)
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
- Infrastructure Contributions Plan Guidelines – March 2021 (PDF)
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s guidance on the preparation of an ICP, including references to current standards and benchmarks - Movement and Place Framework
Department of Transport and Planning’s framework for designing our roads and streets in a way that recognises that streets not only keep people and goods moving, they’re also places for people to live, work and enjoy. - Victorian Government School Site Selection Criteria – Toolbox – October 2021 (PDF)
Department of Education’s detailed resource for implementing / applying the general principles and requirements included in the Victorian Government School Site Selection Criteria Guidance to inform those involved in the planning of proposed government schools. This Toolbox does not substitute consultation with the department.
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.
The Guidelines set increased standards for greening and cooling in our new communities, making them more sustainable, climate resilient and beautiful.
Part of this is a new minimum 30 per cent tree canopy cover target for the public realm.
Under the Guidelines, planning for new communities will ensure:
- A green public realm with increased vegetation and canopy tree cover to contribute to a distinct sense of place, urban cooling, and an enhanced sense of wellbeing.
- Waterways provide valuable open space corridors for walking and cycling paths, cooling and greening, rest and recreation.
- Maximised canopy tree planting on public land in streets, local parks and public places to support amenity objectives and improve resilience during extreme heat events with shading and cooling.
- Native vegetation retention also considers cooling and greening impacts and opportunities to provide canopy tree coverage.
Planning for a new community will include developing a Public Realm & Water Plan, which will illustrate and quantify canopy tree coverage for the PSP area.
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Introduction
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Traditional Owner engagement
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Density and diversity of housing
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Amenity-based density model
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Affordability
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Integrated Water Management
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Infrastructure coordination
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Innovation Pathway
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