Hepburn Planning Scheme

Hepburn is a unique place, valued by the community

Hepburn is characterised by townships within the Shire that reflect the varied historical patterns of development including indigenous heritage, early pastoral, 19th Century gold rush, agriculture, industry and forestry.

Peri-urban planning issues such as landscape, amenity, infrastructure, services, agricultural land production, rural land fragmentation, climate change, bushfire, peak oil, heritage, recreation and tourism have significant opportunities for the Shire but also place great constraints and limitations on land use and development.

As a popular area for tree changers, there are increasing pressures and demands placed on the Shire. For this reason, it is necessary to have clear policy directions for the long-term benefit of both local communities and the wider municipality.

These policy directions are contained in the Hepburn Planning Scheme under section 10 Planning Policy Framework

Hepburn was formed in 1995 from the amalgamation of the Shire of Creswick, Shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon and parts of the Shire of Kyneton and Shire of Talbot and Clunes.

Preparation of the new format planning scheme began in 1998 based on a range of documents including the Hepburn Shire Land Use Strategy Settlement Review 1999. 

Planning for Hepburn’s Future

The Victorian State Government estimates Hepburn’s population will increase from 17,244 in 2026 to 17,993 by 2031 (Victoria in Future 2023 Report).

Managing growth and development to ensure that the significant and unique values of the Shire remain protected is a constant challenge.

Strategic planning projects analyse current issues and prepare the plans and strategies needed to guide land use and development towards the Shire’s planning objectives.

The Hepburn Planning Scheme is managed and maintained by our Strategic Planning Unit. Changes to the Scheme must go through a planning scheme amendment.

Planning Scheme Review

Planning Scheme Review

The Hepburn Planning Scheme guides how land across Hepburn Shire can be used and developed through State and local policies, zones, overlays, and other planning controls. Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Council must review the Planning Scheme every four years and report its findings to the Minister for Planning.

A targeted review is currently underway, building on the 2020 review and Amendment C80hepb (2022). The review is assessing whether the Planning Scheme remains effective, up to date, and easy to use. It focuses on minor improvements, operational issues, and future strategic planning priorities, rather than broad zoning changes or a comprehensive rewrite of the Scheme.

The review will help ensure local planning provisions are current, clear, and aligned with Council's strategic objectives and recent State planning reforms.

Next Steps

Council is preparing a corrections ‘fix-up’ and policy-neutral Planning Scheme Amendment, with implementation to occur through a future Planning Scheme Amendment process. Any proposed changes to the planning scheme will require community consultation and can only be implemented through a formal planning scheme amendment process.

Council will also continue to progress the identified strategic work and broader strategic planning program, while monitoring ongoing State planning reforms and their implications for the operation and administration of the Planning Scheme.

Will the Planning Scheme Review affect my property?

No. The Planning Scheme Review does not change the planning controls or policies that apply to your property. It is a strategic review that helps Council identify planning issues, opportunities and future priorities across Hepburn Shire. Any future changes to the Planning Scheme would be considered separately through a formal Planning Scheme Amendment process.

A review of the Hepburn Planning Scheme is currently underway. More information on the review will be available soon. 

 

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