Planning Zones & Controls in Barwon Heads, Victoria
Barwon Heads is located within City of Greater Geelong (Victoria). The following planning zones and overlays are commonly found in this area.
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Planning Zones
These zones are commonly applied to properties in Barwon Heads and the broader City of Greater Geelong area.
Overlays & controls
Properties in Barwon Heads may be affected by one or more of the following overlays / codes, which add extra planning controls on top of the zone.
Planning permit activity in Barwon Heads
Real application data for Barwon Heads from the Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS) — records back to 2006. Local decisions are the best guide to what City of Greater Geelong actually supports here.
720
applications on record
374
permits issued
310
new dwellings proposed
91%
of recorded outcomes got a permit
| Year | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 6 | 65 | 63 | 44 | 49 |
Notable recent applications
12 lot subdivision of existing buildings
66 hitchcock avenue · 2021 · Approved · 11 lots
Construction of four (4) dwellings on a lot
30 hitchcock avenue · 2020 · No permit issued · 4 dwellings · 3 lots
Development of a retail premise (supermarket), development of four (4) dwellings, associated carparking, displ
3 bridge road · 2021 · Approved · 6 dwellings
Source: Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS), records to mid-2023. Council participation varies by year; figures are indicative. “No permit issued” outcomes include withdrawn and lapsed applications, not only refusals.
What can you build in Barwon Heads?
Barwon Heads sits in City of Greater Geelong (Victoria). What you can build — a granny flat, a subdivision, a second dwelling, townhouses or an extension — depends on your property's zone and overlays. These guides set out the Victoria rules for the most common projects:
Heads up: parts of Barwon Heads carry heritage, bushfire and flood controls (see the overlays above), which can change what's allowed or require planning approval.
Check your property in Barwon Heads
Find out exactly what planning controls apply to your property in Barwon Heads and whether you need approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many planning permits have been approved in Barwon Heads?
The Victorian state permit register (PPARS) records 720 planning permit applications in Barwon Heads since 2006, with 374 permits issued and 310 new dwellings proposed across all applications. The register's public extract runs to mid-2023; recent local decisions are a strong guide to what City of Greater Geelong supports in Barwon Heads.
What can I build in Barwon Heads?
What you can build in Barwon Heads — such as a granny flat (secondary dwelling), a subdivision, a second dwelling, townhouses or a house extension — depends on your property's planning zone and any overlays, together with the Victoria planning rules. See the project guides above for Barwon Heads, or get a $39 planning report for a plain-English answer specific to your address.
What planning zone is Barwon Heads in?
Properties in Barwon Heads are commonly located in the General Residential Zone (GRZ), Low Density Residential Zone (LDRZ), Residential Growth Zone (RGZ), Urban Growth Zone (UGZ). The exact zone for your property depends on its specific location within Barwon Heads. You can check your property's zone using VicPlan or our free Property Snapshot tool.
Do I need a planning permit in Barwon Heads?
Whether you need a planning approval in Barwon Heads depends on the zone your property is in, any overlays that apply, and the type of work you are proposing. Most new dwellings, extensions, subdivisions, and changes of use require approval. Some minor works may be exempt or "accepted development" depending on the zone and overlay controls. Use our free tools to check your specific situation.
How do I find my property's planning zone?
You can find your property's planning zone by searching your address on VicPlan, the official Victoria planning map. It shows the zone, overlays, and other planning controls that apply to any property in Victoria.