For Victorian buyers and investors

Know what the land allows before Saturday

Agents describe potential. The planning scheme and the title decide it — and they frequently disagree with the listing.

Where Victoria catches people out

The listing says there is potential to subdivide, subject to council approval

That phrase carries no assurance. The minimum lot size comes from the schedule to the zone, and every resulting lot must meet it — including the one you keep. A block comfortably over the minimum can still yield nothing.

You plan to add a granny flat for family

A small second dwelling of 60 m² or less needs no planning permit in the residential zones (Amendment VC243). But a permit IS required in the Green Wedge and Rural Conservation zones, an overlay can bring one back regardless, and a building permit is always required.

The planning scheme allows what you want, so you are clear

A single-dwelling covenant or a Section 173 agreement on title prohibits outright what the scheme permits. Planning approval does not override it, and removing one is difficult and uncertain.

Getting started

The free snapshot takes about thirty seconds and covers the zone and overlays. For anything you are seriously bidding on, the $39 Insight plus the title is the pairing that catches both halves of the problem.

General information about the Victoria planning system, not advice on a particular site. What applies to a property depends on its zone, the controls affecting it and what is proposed.