Planning advice

You can obtain a report from VicPlan that gives you the zone and overlay controls affecting your property. Simply search for the address of the property and then click 'Create Planning Property Report' to view detail about the controls that affect your property. Using this, you can then go to the Hepburn Planning Scheme to view the zones and overlays. 

The statutory planning team is committed to providing the community and applicants with timely and accurate planning advice to facilitate a smooth and efficient planning permit application process. We want your interaction with Council and our statutory planning team to be a positive and productive experience. Pre-application meetings are one way of helping that happen. 

Pre-application meetings are available weekly with our statutory planning team. There is an associated fee, which varies depending on the complexity of the application.

Single dwelling/building or works                    $200

2-4 dwellings/lots                                                $250

5 or more dwellings/lots and other                  $400

For that fee, applicants get the time and expertise of a senior and junior planner, who will review the proposal and provided documentation before the meeting and provide notes after the meeting. For complex proposals, other Council teams such as Engineering, Environmental Health and Strategic Planning will be invited to meetings and provide their input into the provided meeting notes. 

Customers can still receive free general advice on their proposals either over the phone or by attending the counter at Duke Street, Daylesford between 9 am – 12:15 pm and 1:15–4 pm. Anyone looking to run a business within the shire can also receive free statutory planning advice by completing the business permit navigation form on our business concierge page. 

To book a pre-application please call customer service on (03) 5348 2306.

How to prepare for your pre-application meeting

 At least two working days prior to the meeting you will need to supply:

• Brief outline of the proposal including the site, the proposed use and/or development.
• Sketch or concept plans of the proposal and a rough site plan.
• Any other written documents (e.g. photographs, specialist reports) which may be beneficial or relevant.

Please note that the more information or background assessments you are able to provide about your proposal, the better the guidance our staff will be able to provide.

Please complete the online request form for written planning advice and provide all the relevant detail. You will receive an invoice via the mail for payment. Once the fee has been paid, your request will be assigned to one of our planners who will provide you with detailed advice on your proposal. 

View the form

You can call to speak with a member of the statutory planning team on weekdays from 9 am – 4 pm on (03) 5348 2306 for general planning advice related to:

• Small-scale extensions/outbuildings to dwellings or commercial buildings

• Small-scale works such as sheds, garages, solar panels and alterations

• Changes of use

• Signage proposals of a modest nature

• Subdivisions and boundary realignments 

For more complicated requirements, the team member may recommend a pre-application meeting to you. Please note that all advice provided over the phone or at the counter is general in nature. No written confirmation will be provided. If you require written advice, a separate process needs to be undertaken.