Darebin planning scheme and reference documents

The Darebin Planning Scheme includes the policies and controls for land use and development in Darebin. This includes policies formally included with the scheme as incorporated documents or reference documents.

View the Darebin Planning Scheme

We use the following incorporated documents and reference documents while deciding whether to support or refuse an application. When preparing your planning permit application, please ensure it's consistent with relevant documents.

What planning controls apply to my property?

You can see the what planning controls affect your property by using the VicPlan mapping tool.

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Municipal strategic statement - selected documents

• Darebin Housing Strategy 2013 (revised 2015)(PDF, 7MB)
• Darebin Economic Land Use Strategy, 2014(PDF, 3MB)
• Reservoir Structure Plan, 2012(PDF, 3MB)

The Junction local area plan

• Junction Integrated Development Plan, December 2001(PDF, 6MB)
• Industrial Land Use Strategy, City of Darebin, November 2001(PDF, 970KB)

Neighbourhood character

• Darebin Neighbourhood Character Study(PDF, 2MB)
• Neighbourhood Character Precincts Map(PDF, 940KB)
• Precinct A1 – A4(PDF, 3MB)
• Precinct B1 - B4(PDF, 3MB)
• Precinct C1 – C3(PDF, 3MB)
• Precinct D1 - D5(PDF, 4MB)
• Precinct E1- E7(PDF, 5MB)
• Precinct F1 – F9(PDF, 6MB)
• Precinct G1 – G4(PDF, 3MB)
• Precinct H1 – H5(PDF, 3MB)

Darebin Creek (adjacent land design and development local policy and environmental significance overlay schedule 2)

• City of Darebin, Darebin Creek, Design and Development Guidelines, David Lock & Associates, June 2000(PDF, 12MB)
• Lower Darebin Creek Concept Plan, Parks Victoria/Melbourne Water, 1995(PDF, 9MB)

Industrial and commercial activity

• Darebin Economic Land Use Strategy, 2014(PDF, 3MB)

High Street corridor land use and urban design

• High Street Study Urban Design Framework(PDF, 19MB) and High Street Study Precinct Guidelines, David Lock Associates & Planisphere, 2005(PDF, 13MB)

Multi-residential and mixed use development

• Darebin Housing Strategy 2013 (revised 2015)(PDF, 7MB)
• High Street Study Urban Design Framework, David Lock Associates and Planisphere, 2005(PDF, 19MB)
• Guidelines for Higher Density Residential Development, Department of Sustainability & Environment, 2004
• Preston Central Structure Plan 2006 City of Darebin & David Lock Associates(PDF, 17MB)
• Reservoir Structure Plan, 2012(PDF, 3MB)
• Residential Built Form Guidelines, 2014(PDF, 773KB)
• Safer Design Guidelines for Victoria, Department of Sustainability & Environment

Northcote Activity Centre (Local policy and design and development overlay 14)

• Northcote Activity Centre Structure Plan, April 2007(PDF, 4MB)
• High Street Study Urban Design Framework(PDF, 19MB) and High Street Study Precinct Guidelines, David Lock Associates & Planisphere, 2005(PDF, 13MB)
• Northcote Activity Centre Medium and Low Change Residential Areas Precinct Guidelines, 2008(PDF, 262KB)

St Georges Road and Plenty Road corridors (local policy and design and development overlays 16 and 17)

• Urban Design Framework 2015 St Georges Road and Plenty Road Corridors(PDF, 11MB)

Preston Central Activity Centre (incremental areas local policy and priority development zone)

• Preston Central Structure Plan 2006 City of Darebin & David Lock Associates(PDF, 17MB)
• Preston Central Incorporated Plan March 2007 (amended 2014)(PDF, 2MB)
• Preston Market Incorporated Plan March 2007(PDF, 1MB)
• City of Darebin Heritage Study: Volume 4a, Preston Central Heritage Assessment, Key Findings and Recommendations, Context Pty Ltd, February 2008(PDF, 2MB)
• City of Darebin Heritage Study: Volume 4b, Preston Central Heritage Assessment, Heritage Places Citations, Context Pty Ltd, February 2008(PDF, 8MB)
• Activity Centre Design Guidelines 2005 Department of Sustainability and Environment
• Guidelines for the Application and Implementation of Travel Plans, 2005, City of Darebin(PDF, 187KB)

Bell Street land use

• Bell Street Strategy, Hansen Partnership, 2006(PDF, 6MB)
• Industrial Land Use Strategy, City of Darebin, November 2001(PDF, 970KB)
• Retail Activity Centres Strategy, Essential Economics Pty Ltd, Planning by Design & David Lock and Associates, 2005(PDF, 2MB)

Residential growth zone areas - Reservoir, Northland, Fairfield

• Darebin Housing Strategy 2013 (revised 2015)(PDF, 7MB)
• Higher Density Residential Building Typologies September 2014(PDF, 729KB)
• Northland Residential Neighbourhood Precinct Structure Plan, 2014(PDF, 9MB)
• Residential Built Form Design Guidelines, 2014(PDF, 773KB)
• Reservoir Structure Plan, 2012(PDF, 3MB)

Merri Creek (environmental significance overlay schedule 1 areas)

• Merri Creek and Environs Strategy, 2004(PDF, 8MB)
• Merri Creek Development Guidelines, 2004(PDF, 5MB)

Heritage overlay

• City of Darebin Heritage Study Incorporated Plan – Permit Exemptions (2011)(PDF, 2MB)
• Incorporated Document - Preston Residential Heritage Precincts Permit Exemptions, February 2008(PDF, 387KB)
• Incorporated Plan – Heritage Overlay Plan, Larundel(PDF, 787KB)

Visit the Heritage page for heritage study resources and statements of significance.

Vegetation protection overlays

• Assessment of Trees for VPO Update in Mount Cooper, Bundoora 3 December 2009(PDF, 27MB)
• Assessment of Trees for VPO Update in Springthorpe Estate, Macleod 16 May 2010(PDF, 16MB)
• Lancaster Gate Tree Protection Plan – Stages 1 and 2 – 1 September 2003(PDF, 832KB)
• Lancaster Gate Tree Protection Layout Plan – Stages 3 and 4 – 1 September 2003(PDF, 979KB)
• Vegetation Survey – Former Kingsbury Centre Site, Bundoora - Map 2(PDF, 145KB)

Incorporated plan overlay

• Biosciences Research Centre Incorporated Document, June 2008(PDF, 186KB)
• Northern Sewerage Project, Stage 1 and 2, October 2006(PDF, 79KB)
• Northland Shopping Centre (Concept Plan and Building Envelope Plan, Northland Plan No 3, September 2000)(PDF, 2MB)

Development contributions plan overlay

• Development Contributions Plan 2019 - updated September 2022(PDF, 2MB)