Planning schemes set out policies and provisions for the use, development and protection of land in an area.
Each municipality in Victoria is covered by a planning scheme.
These are legal documents prepared by the local council or the Minister for Planning, and approved by the Minister.
We use the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to make decisions about the development and use of land.
Planning scheme contents
Planning scheme maps show how the land is zoned and overlays affecting the land.
Zones reflect the land use characteristics of land, such as residential, industrial or rural. The zoning outlines the type of use and development allowed in each zone and requirements for subdivision, buildings, and works.
Certain areas also have other planning controls (known as overlays). For example, areas that have significant vegetation may be covered by a Vegetation Protection Overlay or places that have heritage significance may have a Heritage Overlay.