Planning scheme amendment fees

There are fees for requesting a planning scheme amendment. The Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2016 specifies these fees. 

For fees related to planning permit applications, see planning fees.

Fee units

The Regulations provide for fees by reference to fee units.

The amount of the fee is to be calculated by multiplying the number of fee units applicable by the value of a fee unit.

The value of a fee unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2019 is $14.81.

The amount of the calculated fee may be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.

Stage 1 fee

(a) considering a request to amend a planning scheme, and

(b) taking action required by Division 1 of Part 3 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and

(c) considering any submissions which do not seek a change to the amendment, and

(d) if applicable, abandoning the amendment in accordance with section 28.

206 fee units

Fee to be paid to Council by the person who requested the amendment, at the time of making the request.

Stage 2 fee

(a)(i) considering up to and including 10 submissions which seek a change to an amendment and where necessary referring the submissions to a panel.

1021 fee units, or

(a)(ii) considering 11 to (and including) 20 submissions which seek a change to an amendment and where necessary referring the submissions to a panel.

2040 fee units or

(a)(iii) considering submissions that exceed 20 submissions which seek a change to an amendment, and where necessary referring the submissions to a panel.

2727 fee units, and

(b) providing assistance to a panel in line with section 158 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and

(c) making a submission in line with section 24(b)of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and

(d) considering the report in line with section 27 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and

(e) after considering submissions and the panel's report, if applicable,  abandoning the amendment.

Fee to be paid to Merri-bek City Council by the person who requested the amendment, before Council considers the submissions.

Stage 3 fee

(a) adopting the amendment or a part of the amendment in line with section 29 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and

(b) submitting the amendment for approval in accordance with section 31, and

(c) giving the notice of the approval of the amendment required by section 36(2) of the Act.

32.5 fee units

Fee to be paid to Merri-bek City Council by the person who requested the amendment, before Council adopts the amendment.

Stage 4 fee

(a) consideration of the amendment by the Minister to approve the amendment in accordance with section 35 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and

(b) giving notice of approval of an amendment in line with section 36(1).

32.5 fee units

Fee to be paid to the Minister by the person who requested the amendment, at the time the Council submits the amendment to the Minister for approval.

Amendment Administration and Panel Fees

All costs associated with the administration of the planning scheme amendment including: advertising in the newspapers, Government Gazette and public notification of an amendment will be passed on to the proponent. 

If an independent panel is required to hear submissions as a result of unresolved objections (submissions) to the amendment, the planning authority will pass onto the proponent the costs and expenses incurred for or by a panel in carrying out its functions in line with section 156 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The cost of the Panel will depend on the number of days it sits and the number of Panel Members appointed.

Notes on fees

GST does not apply to statutory fees but applies to all other fees

Note 1

Fees payable to Council should be marked to:

Amendment C {insert number}
Strategic Planning Unit
Merri-bek City Council
Locked Bag 10, Merri-bek Vic 3058

Note 2

Fees payable to the Minister for Planning should be made payable to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Photocopying of plans, policies, studies or other documents