Business and commercial
Council understands that starting a new business and expanding or relocating a business can provide benefits to community, including increasing employment and investment in Merri-bek.
If you want to establish a new business or expand an existing business in Merri-bek you may need a planning permit.
The best way to find out if you need a planning permit and what is required for a planning permit application is to contact Council.
Find out more about starting or growing a business in Merri-bek.
Applying for a planning permit
- Before applying for a planning permit, it is recommended that you attend a free pre-application meeting with a Council planning officer.
- To apply for a planning permit for a new business or expand an existing business, you need to submit a planning permit application to Council.
- View step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a planning permit and what information you need to submit with the application.
Commercial Priority process
Some applications may qualify for the Commercial Priority process.
Council has a Commercial Priority process to help reduce delays for new or expanding business.
A planning permit application qualifies for Commercial Priority if it proposes:
- a new business in Merri-bek, or
- development for an expansion of an existing business where the cost of works is greater than $100,000 or where it can be demonstrated that the development will result in a significant increase in local employment.
For more information, see:
- Commercial Priority brochure (PDF 855Kb)
- Commercial Priority brochure (DOC 766Kb)
- Commercial Priority checklist (PDF 63Kb)
- Commercial Priority checklist (DOC 255Kb)
The best way to find out if your proposal qualifies for Commercial Priority and complies with the Moreland Planning Scheme is to contact Council to organise a free pre-application meeting with our Commercial Priority Planner.
Business signage permits
In some cases, you will need a planning permit to display an advertising sign associated with your business.
The best way to find out if you need a planning permit for signage is to contact Council.
For more information on the process, see the:
Clause 52.05 of the Merri-bek Planning Scheme and Clause 22.07 of the Merri-bek Planning Scheme provide more information about the rules related to displaying advertising signs. You can also view the complete Moreland Planning Scheme online.
Liquor licences
In most cases, you will require a planning permit to sell or consume liquor at your business. This is in addition to a Liquor Licence from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR).
Development Contributions Plan levy
The Development Contribution Plan (DCP) is a fee (levy) for developments that are proposing to increase the leasable commercial or industrial floor area.
See Moreland Development Contribution Plan (DCP) for further details.
Brochures and checklists
Business types
- Planning Permit Application - Medical Centres, Education Centres and Offices checklist and brochure (DOC 392Kb) (DOC 392Kb)
- Planning Permit Application - Places of Assembly including Places of Worship, Function Centres, Art Galleries and Nightclubs checklist and brochure (DOC 2Mb) (DOC 2Mb)
- Planning Permit Application - Pubs and Live Music Venues checklist and brochure (DOC 2Mb) (DOC 2Mb)
- Planning Permit Application - Restaurants and Cafes checklist and brochure (DOC 2Mb) (DOC 2Mb)
- Planning Permit Application - Recreation facilities including Yoga, Pilates and Gymnasiums checklist and brochure (DOC 1Mb) (DOC 1Mb)
Advertising signs
- Planning Permit Application - Advertising Signs checklist (DOC 570Kb) (DOC 570Kb)
- Planning Permit Application - Advertising Signs checklist (PDF 67Kb) (PDF 67Kb)
Carparking requirement reduction
- Planning Permit Application - Reduction in Carparking Requirements checklist (PDF 71Kb) (PDF 71Kb)
- Planning Permit Application - Reduction in Carparking Requirements checklist (DOC 219Kb) (DOC 219Kb)