Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Planning and Environment Act 1987 - SECT 12

What are the duties and powers of planning authorities?

12. What are the duties and powers of planning authorities?



(1) A planning authority must-

   (a)  implement the objectives of planning in Victoria;

   (b)  provide sound, strategic and co-ordinated planning of the use and
        development of land in its area;

   (c)  review regularly the provisions of the planning scheme for which it is
        a planning authority;

   (d)  prepare amendments to a planning scheme for which it is a planning
        authority;

   (e)  prepare an explanatory report in respect of any proposed amendment to
        a planning scheme.

(2) In preparing a planning scheme or amendment, a planning authority-

   (a)  must have regard to the Minister's directions; and

   (aa) must have regard to the Victoria Planning Provisions9; and



   (ab) in the case of an amendment, must have regard to any municipal
        strategic statement, strategic plan, policy statement, code or
        guideline which forms part of the scheme10; and

   (b)  must take into account any significant effects which it considers the
        scheme or amendment might have on the environment or which it
        considers the environment might have on any use or development
        envisaged in the scheme or amendment11; and

   (c)  may take into account its social effects and economic effects.

(3) A planning authority may-

   (a)  carry out studies and commission reports; and

   (b)  do all things necessary to encourage and promote the orderly and
        proper use, development and protection of land in the area for which
        it is a planning authority; and

   (c)  take any steps and consult with any other persons it considers
        necessary to ensure the co-ordination of the planning scheme with
        proposals by those other persons.