The Melbourne Planning Scheme sets out the way land can be used and developed in the municipality through various planning controls including zoning land for different uses.

Changes to the planning scheme are called amendments and the process is set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act). An amendment may involve a change to a planning scheme map (for example: a rezoning), a change to the written part of the scheme, or both.

Generally, amendments to the planning scheme change the way land can be used or developed and can also change the basis for making planning decisions in the future.

Planning zones prescribe land use and development requirements, for example if it is residential, industrial, commercial or public use.

Amendment C380 is required to correct the zoning of Crown land and land vested in Council and the Victorian Government currently being used as open space. The amendment also corrects mapping anomalies in the Melbourne Planning Scheme.

Under the planning scheme, the Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) recognises areas for public recreation and other open space uses. This is the appropriate zone to be applied to parks and open spaces.

To meet the needs of the growing and changing residential and worker population and to respond to issues such as climate change, the amendment proposes to secure existing valued open space and provides clarity and certainty for communities about its intended use and retention as open space.

Amendment C380 proposes to:

• Rezone and/or correct boundary alignments of thirty-one Council open spaces to PPRZ
• Rezone 230 Rathdowne Street, Carlton to the Public Use Zone (Schedule 6)
• Rezone part of the Upfield Railway near Royal Park Station from the PPRZ to the Public Use Zone (Schedule 4).
• Rezone fifty-four Victorian Government open spaces which are reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 to PPRZ and/or correct boundary alignments; and
• Rezone the privately owned properties at 66, 68, 70 and 72 Manningham Street, Parkville from PPRZ to the General Residential Zone (Schedule 1)
• Amend Planning Scheme Map Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9 to reflect the above changes

To find out more information, please see the documents below.

As part of the amendment process, affected owners, occupiers, traditional owner groups and prescribed ministers have been notified of the exhibition which will provide an opportunity to make a submission.

On completion of the public exhibition of the amendment, all submissions will be considered by Council's Future Melbourne Committee (FMC). Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the FMC can decide whether to make the changes requested by submitters, abandon the amendment or request that the Minister for Planning appoint an independent panel to review and hear submissions.

Before making a final decision on the amendment, Council will consider the independent panel’s advice. If the amendment is adopted by Council, then it will be submitted to the Minister for Planning for final approval.

If you would like further information about Amendment C380 or the amendment process, please email planningpolicy@melbourne.vic.gov.au.