Find zones, overlays and strategic planning documents for a property

How you can use or develop a property, and which permits you need, depends on:

  • which zone your property is in
  • the overlays that may apply to it, and
  • whether it is affected by any local or statewide planning provisions

These controls are in the Cardinia Planning Scheme, a statutory document which sets out objectives, policies and provisions for the use, development and protection of land.

Strategies and plans, once incorporated, also form part of the Planning Scheme structure.

Click on the Community Compass map tool below to find land use information related to a property.

Every parcel of land in Victoria is in a zone. The zone provides rules as to how that land can be used and developed.

Types of zones in include:

  • residential zones (such as the Low Density Residential Zone, Mixed Use Zone, General Residential Zone and Neighbourhood Residential Zone) 
  • industrial zones 
  • commercial zones 
  • rural zones (such as the Rural Living Zone, Green Wege Zone, Green Wedge A Zone, Rural Conservation Zone and Farming Zone) 
  • public land zones (such as the Public Use Zone, Public Park and Recreation Zone, Public Conservation and Resource Zone, and Road Zone)
  • special purpose zones (such as the Special Use Zone, Comprehensive Development Zone, Urban Floodway Zone and Urban Growth Zone). 

Zoning helps to avoid conflicts between different types of land uses and ensure that development is appropriate for an area.

These operate in addition to zones. An overlay protects characteristics or concerns that are unique or important to a particular geographical area or property, such as: 

  • environmental 
  • landscape
  • vegetation (tree) protection 
  • land management 
  • heritage
  • bushfire
  • erosion management
  • flood issues.

Not all land is subject to an overlay. If an overlay applies to a parcel of land, it may specify additional requirements in relation to subdivisions, buildings and works, vegetation removal and other matters.

Overlays in Cardinia Shire are commonly used to help protect our significant environment and landscape features, protect important attributes of our townships and neighbourhoods, and respond to risks and hazards such as bushfire and flooding. As a result, sometimes more than one overlay will apply to particular land. 

To find land use zones and overlay information:

  1. Click on the 'Community Compass' map tool button below.
  2. Click on the search icon (magnifying glass). Start typing the property address in the search bar field until you see the property address appear. Select the address.
  3. Select 'planning zones and overlays' from the menu.
  4. Click on each heading to see information about the zone or overlay. Make a note of the information.
  5. Go to the Cardinia Planning Scheme web page on DELWP's website to view find information on what is and is not allowed according to the zone or overlay that applies to the land. Please contact us if you need help understanding the Planning Scheme.

You can also use this tool to find strategic planning documents and other useful information related to a property.

Go to the Community Compass map tool

To find a strategic plan directly, type the property address into the tool below.

  • If a strategic plan applies, a web link will be generated. Copy and paste the link into a new browser window to view the documents.
  • If a strategic plan does not apply it will display this text: Unable to get information about this location.

 

If you need advice on what you can or can't do on your property because of zones or overlays, contact our Statutory Planning team on 1300 787 624.