State government planning permit applications
What is a state government planning application?
In the Victorian planning system, councils are not always the decision maker responsible for assessing and approving major new developments.
Through a series of recent legislative reforms, the state government has expanded the range of planning applications that are now assessed and determined by the state government itself, rather than by local councils. This includes:
- significant residential developments incorporating affordable housing, major commercial and mixed-use developments
- industrial and logistics facilities
- public housing redevelopment
- strategically significant employment-generating project
- developments assessed under the Great Design Fast Track pathway.
For these applications, the Minister for Planning, and the state government more broadly, are the decision maker. Council may be invited to provide comment on these applications, but the role of Councillors and Council officers is advisory only.
It is important that decision-makers hear directly from people who may be impacted by development or wish to express views about changes in their municipality. The most effective way to do this is for you to make a submission directly to the state government.
Advertised state government planning applications
State government planning proposals that are currently on public notice can be viewed below.
Making a submission
If you wish to have your views considered, you must lodge a submission directly with the state government. Contact details for the relevant state government authority are provided below.
To ensure your submission is considered, it should be lodged before the deadline specified for each application. Submissions received after the deadline may not be considered.
Enquiries
Enquiries on an application should be directed to the relevant officer at the state government provided below or to the Department of Transport and Planning to environment.assesssment@transport.vic.gov.au.
If you would like to discuss the process with a Council Planning officer call 03 8470 8850 or email: townplan@darebin.vic.gov.au.
Current state government planning permit applications on notice
7 Hartington Street, Northcote
Ref: PA2503893
Proposal: Mixed use development comprising apartments, use of the land for a food and drink premises, use of the land for a childcare centre, place of assembly and residential hotel.
Plans and information: Planning Victoria – Ministerial permits register
Contact at State Government: If you would like further information contact Danielle Foster, Department of Transport and Planning, on 03 8572 794 or 03 5172 2344 or email danielle.foster@transport.vic.gov.au.
Submissions: A decision on the application will not be made before 11 April 2026.
Council’s role in this application is advisory only: Read Council's submission(PDF, 4MB)
235–239 Separation Street, Northcote
Ref: PA2604366
Proposal: 1. Re-zone the land from the Industrial 3 Zone to the Mixed-Use Zone; 2. Use and development of the land for an 8-storey (25.6m) mixed-use building comprising 256 dwellings, 351 square metres of ground floor retail space, a two-storey basement, removal of 27 canopy trees and provision of a 24/7 publicly accessible pedestrian link.
Plans and information: Engage Victoria – Draft Darebin Planning Scheme Amendment C234dare
Contact at state government: If you would like further information contact Ruby Dawes-Robb, Department of Transport and Planning, on 03 8572 7944 or email ruby.dawes-robb@transport.vic.gov.au.
Submission: A decision on the application will not be made before 7 July 2026.
Council’s role in this application is advisory only: Read Council's submission(PDF, 480KB)
61 Johnson Street, Reservoir (Keon Park)
Proposal: Construction of eighty (80) new social housing dwellings in a six-storey apartment building, consisting of 32 one-bedroom and 48 two-bedroom apartments. The site is located directly next to Keon Park Station and the elevated rail line. The development is being undertaken by Hallmarc Pty Ltd, in partnership with Homes Victoria. 100% of the proposed dwellings will be social housing to be administered by community housing provider National Affordable Housing Victoria (NAHV).
Plans and information: The proposed development plans and supporting documentation can be accessed on the Hallmarc website. Hallmarc can be contacted at projects@hallmarc.com.au or on 03 9660 9000.
Submission: Hallmarc has requested any feedback be provided no later than 17 July 2026, with feedback to be considered and inform the final proposal that will be submitted to the Minister for Planning.
Council’s role in this application is advisory only: Read Council's submission(PDF, 833KB)
Preston Market Precinct Development Plan
Ref: DP2604666
Proposal: The Preston Market Precinct Development Plan has been prepared under the planning controls established for the Preston Market Precinct, which comprises approximately 5.1 hectares of privately owned land bounded generally by Murray Road, Cramer Street, High Street and St Georges Road, and includes the historic Preston Market site adjacent to Preston Station.
The Development Plan sets out how the precinct may be developed in the future, including the retention and operation of the market, the delivery of new housing, commercial opportunities, public open space and improved pedestrian and transport connections. Key features include:
- Retention of approximately 81% of the existing market footprint and 77% of the space frame roof.
- Provision of new market space to complement the retained market, with a total of 15,328 sqm of market floor space proposed (there is currently 12,700sqm of market floor space).
- Direction for the protection, restoration, and adaptive re-use of key heritage elements including the spaceframe roof structure, pedestrian axis’, key shop front features, and murals.
- Approximately 14,000sqm new speciality retail and commercial floor space (in addition to the market).
- Approximately 900 new apartments across 8 towers ranging in height from 8-16 storeys surrounding the market.
- 10% of dwellings will be provided as affordable housing options.
- Approximately 1,250 car parks across the site (market, retail, and residential).
Plans and information: The Victorian Government is seeking community feedback on the draft Preston Market Precinct Development Plan. Community members, traders, landowners and other stakeholders can make a submission directly through the Engage Victoria website. Contact the State Government at development.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au if you have any questions regarding this proposal.
Council’s role in this application is advisory only.
The Minister for Planning is the decision-maker for the Development Plan and future planning approvals within the Preston Market Precinct. Community members wishing to provide feedback should make submissions directly to the Victorian Government.
To ensure your views are considered, submissions should be lodged before the advertised closing date of 14 October 2026.
Ministerial Planning Scheme Amendment – 120 Chifley Drive, Preston (Panda Mart/former Preston Bunnings site)
Proposal: The Minister for Planning is considering whether to prepare, adopt and approve a draft amendment C233dare to the Darebin Planning Scheme in Preston. Consultation is being undertaken under section 20(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The subject land for the Planning Scheme amendment is 120 Chifley Drive, Preston which was formerly used as a ‘Bunnings Warehouse’ and currently operates as a ‘Panda Mart’.
The Planning Scheme Amendment proposes the following amendments to the Darebin Planning Scheme:
- Rezone the subject land from the Commercial 2 Zone (C2Z) to Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z).
- Apply the Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) to the subject land.
- Apply the Development Plan Overlay (DPO) to the subject land.
- Amend the Schedule to Clause 72.01 (Responsible authority for administering and enforcing the planning scheme) to make the Minister for Planning the Responsible authority for the land.
The proposed rezoning would facilitate redevelopment of the land for a multi-storey residential and mixed-use development opposite Northland Shopping Centre and adjoining the Darebin Creek corridor. The proposal includes up to 1,000 dwellings, with 10% proposed as affordable housing. A range of building heights are proposed as part of the redevelopment, with the tallest building reaching up to 16 storeys at the corner of Chifley Drive and Murray Road. Other residential and mixed-use buildings across the site would range from 4 to 12 storeys. Open space areas are proposed as part of the redevelopment and vehicle access is proposed through the site.
Plans and information: The Victorian Government is currently seeking community feedback on the proposal. Community members and other stakeholders can make a submission directly through the Engage Victoria website. Contact the State Government at planning.facilitation@transport.vic.gov.au if you have any questions regarding the proposal.
Council’s role in this proposal is advisory only.
The Minister for Planning is the decision-maker for the Planning Scheme Amendment and, if approved, any future development plan and planning permit approvals within the site. Community members wishing to provide feedback should make submissions directly to the Victorian Government.
To ensure your views are considered, submissions should be lodged before the advertised closing date of 2 November 2026.