Strategic planning

The Queenscliffe Planning Scheme has two main sections. The first outlines what Council sees as the future direction for land use and development in the Borough of Queenscliffe. It also has policies on issues such as heritage buildings, the environment and car parking.

The second part of the planning scheme contains zones and overlays which indicate whether a property is for residential, commercial, environmental or public use. Zones and overlays describe in detail what you are and aren't allowed to do on your land.

Planning Scheme amendments occur from time to time when a change is made to a local policy or the zoning and/or overlay that applies to a property or area.

The Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) is a risk management tool which seeks to ensure appropriate development and land management in areas of high fire intensity. It is intended to ensure that development in areas of high fire intensity has appropriate:

• Water supply
• Access
• Building siting and design
• Fuel-reduced areas around buildings.

The BMO has the effect of requiring planning permits for a number of land use activities and for some buildings and works. It applies to selected areas within the Borough of Queenscliffe.

The BMO sets out a series of objectives and outcomes for buildings and works associated with specific uses and for subdivisions. A planning permit application must demonstrate that the objectives and outcomes have been considered and incorporated in a proposal.

Where a planning permit is required for a development/use, Council is required to refer the application to the Country Fire Authority for advice.

To learn more about Planning Scheme Amendment C40quen, click here.

Amendment C41 to the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme was gazetted on 22 August 2025.

The amendment has been prepared and undertaken by the Minister for Planning. The amendment rezones an area of approximately 90 square metres of landlocked government land at the rear of 24 Bridge Street, Queenscliff identified as surplus and is to facilitate the sale to the current occupier.  The land is presently fenced and leased to the owner of 24 Bridge Street as part of the curtilage of the dwelling.  

The amendment rezones the rear of the site at 24 Bridge Street from Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) to Neighbourhood Residential Zone – Schedule 2 (NRZ2) makes the following changes: 

Deletes the following overlays: 

• Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule – 1 (ESO1) 

• Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule – 2 (ESO2) 

• Design and Development Overlay – Schedule 1 (DDO1) 

Applies the following overlay: 

• Design and Development Overlay – Schedule 6 (DDO6) 

Retains the existing overlays: 

• Heritage Overlay – Schedule (HO1)  

• Significant Landscape Overlay – Schedule 1 (SLO1). 

The amendment is consistent with the provisions of the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme to ensure the zoning and overlay controls reflect the existing use and is subject to the same planning controls of surrounding residential properties within Fisherman’s Flat.

Please see below links:

C41quen Explanatory Report

C41quen Reasons for Intervention Approval

In February 2025, the Victorian Government released Plan for Victoria as the new strategic guide and vison for growth over the coming decades. Plan for Victoria forms part of the implementation of Victoria’s Housing Statement, The Decade Ahead 2024-2034. A key action of the plan is to increase the supply of new housing with the aim to build 2.24 million homes across the state by 2051.

To achieve this every Victorian Council has been set a housing target with the Borough of Queenscliffe to provide an additional 400 dwellings by 2051.

Council was concerned that the language and narrative used concerning Plan for Victoria, and the need to achieve housing targets, maybe generating unnecessary concern and confusion within the community. In response, two community engagement sessions were held in August 2025.

Please see below the report considered by Council at its meeting on 24 September 2025, summarising the issues raised by residents regarding potential implications for the Borough of Queenscliffe in meeting the nominated housing target. 

Council Meeting Minutes - 24 September 2025

Plan for Victoria

Amendment VC283 was gazetted on 2 September 2025 to implement the vision of Plan for Victoria into all Victorian planning schemes as the new strategic guide and vision for growth over the coming decades.  

The amendment has been prepared and undertaken by the Minister for Planning and updates and introduces the new strategic vision in the Victorian Planning Provisions with changes to state and regional planning policy within the Planning Policy Framework across the state. Numerous changes have been introduced to all Victorian planning schemes to allow for implementation of the listed actions under Plan for Victoria.  A key action of the Plan is the setting of housing targets for all local government areas to reach h the goal of 2.24 million new homes by 2051.  

The nominated housing target for each local government area is now specified within Clause 16.01-1S “ Housing Supply” with 400 dwellings to be provided in the Borough of Queenscliffe by 2051.

Please see below links:

VC283 Explanatory Report Approval Gazettal

VC283 Reasons for Intervention Approval Gazettal

Plan for Victoria

Amendment VC288 was gazetted on 18 September 2025 and came into operation on 16 October 2025 to all Victorian Planning Schemes.

The amendment has been prepared and undertaken by the Minister for Planning and Environment as part of the Victorian Government’s announcement to facilitate residential development. The amendment extends the VicSmart assessment process to streamline planning approval for new housing across the state to apply to two new homes on a lot, second homes on a lot, and two-lot subdivisions to streamline planning approval for new housing across the state.

The VicSmart process will have limited operation in the assessment of residential development within the Borough of Queenscliffe due to existing provisions and overlay controls in the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme as summarised below:

Two dwelling developments:

The VicSmart assessment pathway for two dwellings on a lot will only apply in the residential zones where the specific requirements of Clause 55 of the Queenscliffe Planning Scheme are met and the land is not affected by an overlay. If overlays exist on the land the VicSmart provisions will not apply, and the application would be subject to the standard planning process.

Two lot subdivision

VicSmart for two lot subdivision will apply in residential zones primarily based on the following criteria: 

• The subdivision creates at least one vacant lot.
• The land does not contain native vegetation if it has an area of 0.4 hectares or more.
• The land is not located in an Environmental Audit Overlay, Neighbourhood Character Overlay or an area that is a designated bushfire prone area as determined under section 192A of the Building Act 1993.

OR

• A permit has been issued under a provision of a residential zone to construct up to two dwellings on the land and the permit has not expired.
• Each lot will contain either:
• • one existing dwelling; or
  • one dwelling permitted to be constructed in accordance with the permit.

The VicSmart provisions for two lot subdivision will also apply in areas affected by a Design and Development Overlay and Heritage Overlay (HO) based on the last two dot point criteria above also but will be limited to where a planning permit for two dwellings has been issued and is still live.

Further details on the amendment are below:

VC288 Explanatory Report Approval Gazettal

VC288 Reasons for Intervention Approval Gazettal