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Land use in commercial, industrial, Mixed Use, Capital City or Docklands Zones

Zones are one of the elements of a planning scheme that can determine whether or not a planning permit is requiredand what land can and can’t be used for. Here are links to examples of zone definitions including use of the land, and an introduction to the purposes of the zone in each planning scheme*:

Commercial 1 Zone

To create vibrant mixed use commercial centres for retail, office, business, entertainment and community uses.

To provide for residential uses at densities complementary to the role and scale of the commercial centre.

Commercial 2 Zone

To encourage commercial areas for offices, appropriate manufacturing and industries, bulky goods retailing, other retail uses, and associated business and commercial services.

To ensure that uses do not affect the safety and amenity of adjacent, more sensitive uses.

Commercial 3 Zone

To provide for a range of industrial, commercial, office and other employment generating uses which support the mixed-use employment function of the area.

To promote collaborative and high-quality working environments which support the area through good urban design and high-amenity, accessible and well-connected places.

To provide opportunities for limited retail uses which are complementary to the role and scale of the area.

To provide the option for limited residential uses that do not undermine the primary employment and economic development focus of the zone.

To facilitate the use, development and redevelopment of land in accordance with the objectives specified in a schedule to this zone.

Industrial 1 Zone

To provide for manufacturing industry, the storage and distribution of goods and associated uses in a manner which does not affect the safety and amenity of local communities.

Industrial 2 Zone

To provide for manufacturing industry, the storage and distribution of goods and associated facilities in a manner which does not affect the safety and amenity of local communities.

To promote manufacturing industries and storage facilities that require a substantial threshold distance within the core of the zone.

To keep the core of the zone free of uses which are suitable for location elsewhere so as to be available for manufacturing industries and storage facilities that require a substantial threshold distance as the need for these arises.

Industrial 3 Zone

To provide for industries and associated uses in specific areas where special consideration of the nature and impacts of industrial uses is required or to avoid inter-industry conflict.

To provide a buffer between the Industrial 1 Zone or Industrial 2 Zone and local communities, which allows for industries and associated uses compatible with the nearby community.

To allow limited retail opportunities including convenience shops, small scale supermarkets and associated shops in appropriate locations.

To ensure that uses do not affect the safety and amenity of adjacent, more sensitive land uses.

Capital City Zone

To enhance the role of Melbourne’s central city as the capital of Victoria and as an area of national and international importance.

To recognise or provide for the use and development of land for specific purposes as identified in a schedule to this zone.

To create through good urban design an attractive, pleasurable, safe and stimulating environment.

Docklands Zone

To ensure that use and development take account of the unique nature of the water environment.

To encourage a variety of dwelling types within the Melbourne Docklands area to suit a diversity of needs.

To ensure that development takes account of the relationship of the Melbourne Docklands area to the Central Activities District and the policies relating to the future development of the Central Activities District and other parts of the capital city.

To encourage visual and physical linkages between the Melbourne Docklands and adjacent areas, in particular the Central Business District.

To provide for the conservation and enhancement of buildings, areas and places of scientific, aesthetic, architectural or historical significance.

Mixed Use Zone

To provide for a range of residential, commercial, industrial and other uses which complement the mixed-use function of the locality.

To provide for housing at higher densities.

To encourage development that responds to the existing or preferred neighbourhood character of the area.

To facilitate the use, development and redevelopment of land in accordance with the objectives specified in a schedule to this zone.

*Schedules to the zone, specific to each local planning scheme provide further directions on the use of each zone.

Creative Commons License Derived from Victoria Planning Provisions by the State of Victoria