Planning and Environment Act 1987
MELBOURNE PLANNING SCHEME
PORT PHILLIP PLANNING SCHEME
AMENDMENT GC29
EXPLANATORY REPORT
Who is the planning authority?
This amendment has been prepared by the Minister for Planning, who is the planning
authority for this amendment.
Land affected by the amendment
The amendment applies to land within the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area.
What the amendment does
In both the Melbourne and Port Phillip Planning Schemes, the amendment:
 Updates the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan, July 2014 incorporated
document to remove references to a train station in the Montague Precinct, the
associated Rail Investigation Area and preferred heights. The incorporated document
is renamed ‘Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan, July 2014 (amended April
2015)’. Consequential changes to update the references to the Plan in both schemes
are also made.
 Introduces mandatory maximum building heights into the Capital City Zone that applies
to the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area. The mandatory heights will apply to all
applications made after the gazettal of GC29. This requirement will expire two years
after the date of the gazettal of GC29.
In the Melbourne Planning Scheme, the amendment:
 Makes the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for considering and
determining applications, in accordance with Divisions 1, 1A, 2, and 3 of Part 4 and
Part 4AA of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and for matters required by a
permit or the scheme to be endorsed, approved or done to the satisfaction of the
responsible authority in relation to developments with a gross floor area exceeding
25,000 square metres for all land in the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area.
In the Port Phillip Planning Scheme, the amendment:
 Makes the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for considering and
determining applications, in accordance with Divisions 1, 1A, 2, and 3 of Part 4 and
Part 4AA of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and for matters required by a
permit or the scheme to be endorsed, approved or done to the satisfaction of the
responsible authority in relation to developments that achieve identified thresholds for
land in the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area.
Strategic assessment of the amendment
Why is the amendment required?
The amendment is required to give effect to the State Government’s recasting of the
strategic framework for Fishermans Bend to provide for a series of distinct neighbourhoods
with clear expectations for built form outcomes. In light of the Government’s intentions for
public transport in Melbourne, the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan, July 2014, is
updated to remove reference to a train station in the Montague Precinct and the associated
Rail Investigation Area.
Responsible authority status for developments that achieve identified thresholds within the
Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area is returned to the Minister for Planning. The
Metropolitan Planning Authority will no longer be a responsible authority for applications in
the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area
The introduction of maximum building heights throughout the Fishermans Bend Urban
Renewal Area provides clarity and certainty for land owners and the community until a
comprehensive review of the neighbourhood precincts is undertaken.
How does the amendment implement the objectives of planning in Victoria?
The amendment continues to facilitate the redevelopment of the Fishermans Bend Urban
Renewal Area through the achievement of the following objectives of planning in Victoria:
 Providing for the fair, orderly, economic and sustainable use and development of land.
 Securing a pleasant, efficient and safe working, living and recreational environment.
 Enabling the orderly provision and co-ordination of public utilities and other facilities for
the benefit of the community.
 Facilitating development in accordance with the above objectives.
 Balancing the present and future interests of all Victorians.
How does the amendment address the environmental effects and any relevant
social and economic effects?
The amendment continues to recognise Fishermans Bend as a state significant urban
renewal precinct and provides the opportunity for environmental, social and economic
effects to be balanced between local and state needs.
Does the amendment address relevant bushfire risk?
There is no identified bushfire risk in this urban area.
Does the amendment comply with the requirements of any Minister’s Direction
applicable to the amendment?
The amendment complies with the requirements of the Ministerial Direction on the Form and
Content of Planning Schemes pursuant to section 7(5) of the Act.
Ministerial Direction 9: Metropolitan Strategy – The amendment continues to recognise
Fishermans Bend as a state significant element of the expanded central city, as outlined in
the Metropolitan Planning Strategy.
How does the amendment support or implement the State Planning Policy
Framework and any adopted State policy?
The amendment supports the SPPF by retaining a framework for the large scale renewal of
an inner city urban area, which will provide for housing, jobs and social and physical
infrastructure to support the city’s population growth requirements.
How does the amendment support or implement the Local Planning Policy
Framework, and specifically the Municipal Strategic Statement?
The amendment supports the LPPF by retaining a framework for the large scale renewal of
an inner city urban area within the Cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip, which will provide for
housing, jobs and social and physical infrastructure to support Melbourne’s population
growth requirements.
Does the amendment make proper use of the Victoria Planning Provisions?
Yes.
How does the amendment address the views of any relevant agency?
The views of relevant agencies were sought in the original development of the Fishermans
Bend Strategic Framework Plan. Further consultation will occur with Melbourne and Port
Phillip City Councils, state government departments and authorities, and local communities
during the further review of the framework plan for the precinct.
Does the amendment address relevant requirements of the Transport
Integration Act 2010?
This amendment does not directly affect the requirements of the Transport Integration Act,
2010. There will be a number of significant transport requirements that will need to be
considered to enable the sustainable and orderly planning and development of this precinct.
Resource and administrative costs

What impact will the new planning provisions have on the resource and
administrative costs of the responsible authority?
The amendment will have limited impact on the resourcing of City of Melbourne and City of
Port Phillip. The Minister for Planning will have greater roles as responsible authority for
assessing statutory applications within the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area.
Where you may inspect this Amendment
The amendment is available for public inspection, free of charge, during office hours at the
following places:
City of Melbourne
Level 3, 240 Little Collins Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
City of Port Phillip
99A Carlisle Street
ST KILDA VIC 3182
The amendment can also be inspected free of charge at the Department of Environment,
Land, Water and Planning website at www.delwp.vic.gov.au/public-inspection.