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title: Amendment C102gpla - Planning Scheme Review Implementation council: golden-plains state: vic category: amendment classification: MINOR status: in-progress last_compiled: 2026-05-30 source_docs:

  • Att 08.10 Golden Plains C102gpla Combined Ordinance Reduced2.pdf
  • Att 08.10 GoldenPlains_C102gpla.pdf
  • 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf
  • Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf
  • Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf
  • Att 7.6.4 - Golden Plains C102gpla Maps Combined Exhibition_1.pdf
  • Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf
  • Att 7.6.6 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Track Changes Combined.pdf

Amendment C102gpla - Planning Scheme Review Implementation

Amendment C102gpla is a whole-of-scheme maintenance amendment rather than a land-release amendment: it applies to all land in Golden Plains Shire and implements the policy-neutral recommendations of the Golden Plains Planning Scheme Review 2022. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.2) Its practical importance is that it repairs the planning scheme’s operating machinery: corrected clause structure, restored omitted transport content, updated statutory references, clearer overlay schedules, and a mapped split between Rural Living Zone schedules. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.2-8)

Background

Council considered Amendment C102gpla at its 28 November 2023 meeting, where officers recommended that Council adopt the Golden Plains Planning Scheme Review 2022 and authorise preparation and exhibition of an amendment under section 20(2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, p.28) The officer report describes the amendment as implementing policy-neutral recommendations from the 2022 review, with the review required by section 12B of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, p.28)

The amendment was prepared with support from the Department of Transport and Planning Regional Planning Hubs program, which provided assistance for matters considered suitable for a section 20(2) amendment pathway. (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, p.29) The explanatory report states that Redink Planning was engaged through the Regional Planning Hub program at Council’s request to review the Golden Plains Planning Scheme. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.8)

Analysis

Mechanism: a policy-neutral repair job, not a strategic reset

The amendment works like a maintenance service on a large rulebook: it does not create a new settlement strategy, but it tightens the wording, restores missing pieces, updates names and references, and moves controls into the correct statutory containers. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.2-8) The explanatory report says the amendment clarifies style, format, language and grammar where the intended effect of the clause is not changed. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.2)

That matters because small drafting errors can change how a permit application is processed: a requirement written in the wrong part of a schedule can operate like a mandatory permit trigger when it should instead guide discretion, and a missing local transport policy can leave decision-makers without the local policy hook they expected to use. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.3-8) The amendment explicitly redrafts some Environmental Significance Overlay, Vegetation Protection Overlay, Design and Development Overlay, and Development Plan Overlay content where the existing wording was better suited to decision guidelines, application requirements, objectives, or development plan requirements. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.5-8)

Scope of statutory change

The instruction sheet identifies 53 ordinance and map instructions. (Source: Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf, pp.1-4) These include four Municipal Planning Strategy clauses, multiple local Planning Policy Framework clauses, five zone schedules, 23 overlay schedules, one particular provision schedule, and four operational provision schedules. (Source: Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf, pp.1-4)

The map component is narrower than the whole-of-scheme policy component: the instruction sheet says 12 planning scheme map sheets are amended, specifically Map Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 16. (Source: Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf, p.1) Those map sheets show the Rural Living Zone being displayed as RLZ1 and RLZ2 rather than a single undifferentiated RLZ reference. (Source: Att 7.6.4 - Golden Plains C102gpla Maps Combined Exhibition_1.pdf, pp.1-12)

Rural Living Zone schedule split

The most concrete map-and-control mechanism is the Rural Living Zone change. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.4, 10) The explanatory report states that the amendment inserts a new schedule at Clause 35.03 so that alternate minimum subdivision area requirements previously identified on Map 1 are identified in a separate zone schedule and mapped distinctively. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.10)

In plain terms, land that was previously explained by an internal map in a schedule becomes easier to read on the planning scheme maps because the mapped zone reference distinguishes RLZ1 from RLZ2. (Source: Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf, p.1) Schedule 2 to the Rural Living Zone applies to land shown as RLZ2 and sets a 2 hectare minimum subdivision area and an 8 hectare minimum area for which no permit is required to use land for a dwelling. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.125) Schedule 1 retains the mixed 8 hectare and 2 hectare subdivision framework, with 2 hectares applying to land marked A on Map 1 to that schedule. (Source: Att 7.6.6 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Track Changes Combined.pdf, pp.135-136)

The downstream effect is administrative clarity rather than new rural-residential supply. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.10) The amendment does not identify new Rural Living Zone land; it changes how existing Rural Living Zone schedule requirements are expressed and mapped. (Source: Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf, p.1)

Settlement and growth policy consequences

The amendment preserves the planning scheme’s existing growth hierarchy while making parts of it clearer. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.3-13) The amended Municipal Planning Strategy records a 2021 population of 24,985 people and states that the municipality has experienced high percentage growth since the late 1990s due to proximity to Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.1)

The settlement framework continues to direct residential development primarily to Bannockburn in the south-east and Smythesdale in the north-west. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.3) It states that no significant new residential land needs to be provided except in Bannockburn, where rezoning continues to be required to accommodate expected future growth identified in the Bannockburn Growth Plan. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.3)

This means C102gpla should be read as an implementation and clean-up amendment sitting beneath larger strategic planning work such as the Bannockburn Growth Plan, Northern Settlement Strategy, Gheringhap Structure Plan, Inverleigh Structure Plan, and Smythesdale Urban Design Framework. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.3-5, 55, 60)

Transport content restored to the local policy framework

A key repair is the reinstatement of local transport content that had been inadvertently omitted during the Planning Policy Framework translation. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.2) The instruction sheet inserts new local policies at Clause 18.01-1L, Clause 18.01-2L and Clause 18.02-4L. (Source: Att 7.6.3 - Golden Plains C102gpla Instruction Sheet Authorisation.pdf, p.2)

The amended Municipal Planning Strategy states that Golden Plains has an 1,800 kilometre road network, around three-quarters of resident workers travel outside the Shire to work, and the share of the population living near public transport is significantly lower than the state average. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.12) The practical effect is that transport decision-making regains local policy support for economic access and sustainable transport, but the amendment itself does not fund or schedule transport infrastructure. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.12)

Infrastructure and servicing implications

The amended local infrastructure context says all towns have reticulated water supplies from either Central Highlands Water or Barwon Water. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.12) It also states that sewerage systems are limited to Woodlands Estate near Enfield, Bannockburn and Smythesdale. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.12)

This is a significant planning constraint even though C102gpla is a minor amendment: the policy directs development to areas with access to water and sewerage infrastructure and supports water and sewerage infrastructure works in unsewered townships. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.12) The amendment therefore strengthens the scheme’s ability to say no, or require more evidence, where settlement growth is proposed beyond realistic servicing capability. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.12)

Overlay and development-plan schedule clean-up

The amendment makes many overlay changes, but the common pattern is not to redraw constraints; it is to make the controls function more cleanly. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.5-8) For example, Schedule 1 to the Environmental Significance Overlay is redrafted so water-quality matters sit as decision guidelines, including water quality, runoff, erosion, vegetation along waterways, and stormwater management. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.115-116)

Development Plan Overlay schedules continue to carry detailed site-specific mechanisms. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.130-139) DPO11 for Hills Road, Batesford requires a land capability assessment, stormwater management plan, flood impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, cultural heritage management plan, flora and fauna assessment, open space plan, contamination audit, and staging information. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.130-132) DPO14 for Yellowglen requires reticulated sewerage and water infrastructure to the satisfaction of Central Highlands Water Authority, traffic assessment of three Glenelg Highway intersections, a bushfire management report, native vegetation assessment, flood-risk reporting where required, and subdivision layout responses to waterway corridors and infrastructure easements. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.137-139)

The planning consequence is that site-level subdivision controls remain the primary tool for managing local drainage, access, bushfire, biodiversity, contamination and servicing issues in affected estates. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.130-139)

Current Status

The available source set proves that Council was asked on 28 November 2023 to adopt the Golden Plains Planning Scheme Review 2022 and authorise preparation and exhibition of Amendment C102gpla under section 20(2). (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, p.28) The source set also includes August 2024-named amendment map and ordinance attachments, but the extracted text supplied for the 186-page August 2024 ordinance attachment contains page markers only and no ordinance content. (Source: Att 08.10 Golden Plains C102gpla Combined Ordinance Reduced2.pdf, pp.1-186) No gazettal notice, ministerial approval notice, adoption report, panel report, or submission summary is included in the manifest. (Source: compile manifest)

Dependencies

  • Blocks: The amendment does not appear to block a specific growth area or infrastructure project; it mainly affects clarity and administration of the Golden Plains Planning Scheme. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.8-10)
  • Blocked by: Final status cannot be confirmed from the supplied documents because no approval, gazettal, adoption, or post-exhibition decision document is included. (Source: Att 08.10 Golden Plains C102gpla Combined Ordinance Reduced2.pdf, pp.1-186)
  • Informed by: The amendment implements the Golden Plains Planning Scheme Review 2022 and was prepared with Regional Planning Hub support. (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, pp.28-29)
  • Implements: The amendment implements policy-neutral findings of the Golden Plains Planning Scheme Review 2022 and supports compliance with the Ministerial Direction on the Form and Content of Planning Schemes. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.8-10)
  • Conflicts with: No direct policy conflict is identified in the supplied documents. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, pp.8-10)

Golden Plains Shire sits between Ballarat and Geelong and shares boundaries with Colac Otway, Corangamite, Pyrenees, Moorabool and Surf Coast shires, plus Ballarat and Greater Geelong. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.1) The scheme context places the south of the municipality in the G21 Region and the north in the Central Highlands Region. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, p.1)

The infrastructure links are also cross-boundary: water supply is provided by Central Highlands Water or Barwon Water, while commuting and transport policy is shaped by links to Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, the Geelong Ring Road, Western Highway, Ballarat Line and regional rail corridors. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.12, 86-96) These links mean that even a policy-neutral amendment has regional consequences because it clarifies the local policy basis used when proposals rely on regional roads, rail, water, sewerage, and employment catchments. (Source: Att 7.6.5 - Golden Plains C102gpla Ordinance Combined_1.pdf, pp.1, 12)

Gaps in This Analysis

The main analytical gap is the absence of the Golden Plains Planning Scheme Review 2022 itself, even though the amendment is described as implementing that review. (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, p.28) Without the review report, this page can identify the amendment mechanisms but cannot independently test which review recommendations were implemented, deferred, or excluded. (Source: 00 AGENDA - Council Meeting - 28 November 2023.pdf, pp.28-29)

The second gap is status evidence. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.1) The authorisation explanatory report contains placeholders for submission due dates and panel hearing dates, and the supplied documents do not include a post-exhibition submission report or approval/gazettal document. (Source: Att 7.6.2 - Golden Plains C102gpla Explanatory Report Authorisation.pdf, p.1)

The third gap is extraction quality. (Source: Att 08.10 Golden Plains C102gpla Combined Ordinance Reduced2.pdf, pp.1-186) The August 2024 combined ordinance source has 186 page markers but no usable text in the extracted file, so it cannot be used to verify whether the later ordinance differed from the exhibition ordinance. (Source: Att 08.10 Golden Plains C102gpla Combined Ordinance Reduced2.pdf, pp.1-186)

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