Plan2Place Consulting was engaged by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to prepare two planning scheme amendments for the Yarra River including:

• A review of the strategies included in the Birrarung-Bolin Framework Plan with an implementation summary and amendment proposal to implement the Plan including planning scheme amendment documentation.
• An analysis of options and pathways to implement the Victorian Government’s Yarra Strategic Plan (YSP) and its Land Use Framework (Part 2 of the YSP) into relevant planning schemes and the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP).

Implementation of the Birrarung-Bolin Framework Plan included changes to regional and local policies in the Banyule and Manningham Planning Schemes to give statutory effect to the Plan. In addition, an Explanatory Report and Instruction Sheet were prepared to support Amendment VC254 that was gazetted in February 2024. There were also a range of other strategies that were identified as better implemented through non-statutory measures outside of the two planning schemes.

This project supported the recent initiatives for the Yarra River – Birrarung and waterway planning policies in Amendments VC197 and VC201 that better protect this part of the Yarra River -Birrarung and complement economic, tourism, recreation, environmental, water quality and active transport initiatives.

Implementation of the YSP also included changes to regional and state policies in planning schemes statewide. The YSP provides an integrated and thorough approach to planning for the Yarra River – Birrarung and for Traditional Owner groups. It encompasses an innovative and leading approach to placing Traditional Owner groups at the forefront of land use and development decision making for the Yarra River – Birrarung integrated with catchment and waterway planning and management.

Our work contained advice on the land use directions of the YSP by:

• Clearly identifying the elements that were suitable for planning scheme implementation.
• Recommending pathways for implementation (e.g. specifying clauses and schedules).
• Identifying YSP elements that were suitable for future planning scheme amendments subject to further strategic work or technical analysis being undertaken (or as non-statutory measures).

Opportunities to strengthen state and regional planning policies at Clauses 12.03-1S and 12.03-1R were identified with tailored regional policies based on the four identified reaches in affected planning schemes. In addition, an Explanatory Report, Instruction Sheet and background documents clause were prepared to support Amendment VC281 that was gazetted in April 2025.