What’s happening in relation to local Neighbourhood Character

Council’s ‘Final Neighbourhood Character Strategy November 2023’ was adopted at the Council meeting of 12 December 2023 but was then put on hold as part of Council’s Draft Planning Scheme Review.
Councils must review their planning schemes every 4 years and Nillumbik’s was last reviewed in 2019.

At the Council meeting on 29 April 2025 Council resolved to proceed with the 2025 review. The review includes the implementation of the Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy. Part of the resolution provides for the adopted draft review to be exhibited for final community consultation for 4 weeks.

For more information about the Draft Review on Participate Nillumbik Read click here.

This Participate Nillumbik webpage explains more about the Draft Review and also invites general feedback as follows:

‘We’re sharing the draft review to be transparent and to keep our community informed about the process. We are seeking general feedback at this stage, noting that the draft incorporates extensive consultation from previous years, community input through the Nillumbik 2040 Community Vision, and current planning trends. There will also be further opportunities to have your say as specific projects progress. To provide general feedback, please email [email protected] and ensure your name and contact details are included’.

 

The Draft Review will only be published on Participate Nillumbik during May and June 2025, so please ensure that you provide any general feedback that you have before it closes.

The final version of the complete planning review is to be presented to Council for adoption in late 2025. The Timeline on Participate Nillumbik sets out the steps that will precede final adoption.

If you are interested in finding out more about the planning review in general and would welcome the opportunity to ask questions, including any specific queries regarding the Neighbourhood Character Strategy, come to ECAG’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday 15 June 2025 from 2:30pm at the Seniors Citizens Hall. The 2025 review and other local planning issues will be addressed in a presentation by Frank Vassilacos, Council’s Director Planning, Environment and Strategy.