The Victorian Government has introduced new planning controls to help protect the environmental and cultural values of waterways across the state. Amendment VC278 was published on 23 December 2025 and came into effect on 20 January 2026.
These new controls apply to the Koonung Creek and a very small section of land where the Plenty River and Birrarung (Yarra River) meet in Templestowe Lower.
If you live near Koonung Creek, you can check whether your property is affected using Mapping Manningham or VicPlan.
What's changed
The amendment introduces a Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO9) as new planning control across public and private land along Koonung Creek.
A small part of Manningham is also included in Significant Landscape Overly (SLO10), which applies to the Plenty River Reach 4 area (from Lower Plenty Road to the Birrarung/Yarra River confluence).
Planning applications in these areas will now be assessed for their impact on:
- natural landscape and visual character
- biodiversity
- cultural and heritage values.
Some activities - such as certain buildings works or tree removal - may now require a planning permit.
SLO9 also recognises the cultural significance of Koonung Creek to Traditional Owners, including its role as a traditional food source. The overlays acknowledge these waterways as connected living systems that are important to Country.
State project exemptions
On 29 January 2026, the Victorian Government introduced Amendment GC282. This amendment applies to a number of Councils, and provides exemptions for major State infrastructure projects within waterway corridors affected by these overlays. This helps ensure essential projects can continue without delay.
Why this matters
These planning updates aim to:
- protect the health and character of our waterways, including the Koonung Creek
- support local biodiversity
- respect and celebrate cultural heritage
- guide responsible development in waterway areas
