Amendment C133 - Newport Structure Plan and Heritage Gap Study

About the amendment

Amendment C133 to the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme was approved with changes and came into effect on 11 February 2026 following its publication in the Victorian Government Gazette. 

The amendment implements the Newport Structure Plan (2021) and the Inner Newport Heritage Gap Study (2022) by introducing updated zones, four Design and Development Overlay schedules (DDO), update of Heritage Overlays (HO) and an Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO). 

Ministerial changes include retaining the General Residential Zone (GRZ) in place of the proposed Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) and revising the DDO by shifting mandatory height limits to discretionary controls and removing references to Clauses 54 and 55 (ResCode housing standards). 

These documents are now incorporated into the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme and are available on the Department of Transport and Planning website. 

Background

The amendment was exhibited from 30 June to 12 August 2022 and received 37 submissions. A planning panel considered submissions over three and a half days in December 2022 and found the amendment strategically sound, subject to refinements. 

Council adopted the amendment with minor changes on 14 March 2023 before submitting it to the Minister for approval. Council meeting minutes and attachments are available online.