Planning Scheme Review 2026 adopted for amendment process
At its meeting on Wednesday 9 September, the City of Ballarat's Planning Delegated Committee adopted the Ballarat Planning Scheme Review 2026.
Required under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the review assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of the Ballarat Planning Scheme, as well as its alignment with State planning policy and Council's strategic direction guided by the Council Plan 2025 - 2029.
The review recommends a range of administrative updates to improve the operation of the planning scheme.
The review also updates Council's forward planning program, identifying key strategic projects that will help guide Ballarat's growth and development over the coming years. These include:
- The Housing Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study, which will inform a framework for managing and accommodating population and housing growth for a minimum period of 15 years across the municipality.
- The Ballarat CBD Urban Design Framework, which is currently being prepared. The draft document will likely be released for public consultation in the coming months.
- The Industrial Land Strategy, which is well advanced and a second draft of the strategy is currently underway and will likely be released for public consultation in the coming months.
- The Heritage Program, which includes outcomes such as updated local heritage policy and planning provisions, adopted by Council in June this year.
- The Open Space Strategy, which reviews community needs for public open space and development contributions and defines open space type and function.
- The Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy, which is ongoing work that will inform land use and transport planning for both infill development and greenfield areas.
- Urban renewal opportunities, including the La Trobe Street and Wendouree Station precincts, with structure plans in the early stages of development.
- Flood management, such as the Ballarat 11 Waterways Study, adopted by Council in December 2025.
The City of Ballarat will now seek Ministerial authorisation for Amendment C267ball (Ballarat Planning Scheme Review 2026) and for the amendment to be placed on exhibition, providing the community with an opportunity to review the proposed changes and make submissions as part of the Planning Scheme Amendment process.
