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Formally request a panel

A Planning Authority can request a panel through the Amendment Tracking System. The request should:

  • summarise the nature of the proposal
  • identify any applicants or proponents if not the council
  • indicate the number of submissions received
  • identify who the submissions are from – for example, various groups and individuals
  • identify the major issues raised in the submissions
  • confirm the pre-set dates for the directions hearing and public hearing
  • advise the Planning Authority’s preferred dates if these are not the pre-set dates
  • confirm the estimated number of hearing days that may be required (consider the extent of evidence and number of submissions)

After making the request

The following information should be submitted through the Amendment Tracking System within 3 business days after submitting the Request a panel form:

  • correspondence authorising the amendment to proceed
  • council report resolving to exhibit the amendment
  • the exhibited planning scheme amendment
  • details of notice given to affected parties of any post exhibition changes
  • council report resolving to request a panel
  • submitter, proponent and council contact details, including email addresses, for communication purposes (can be supplied in a spreadsheet)
  • all submissions received, including those from public agencies, numbered in correlation with the submitter contact list
  • the planning permit application and exhibited permit if applicable
  • a full set of plans
  • any other supporting documents exhibited with the amendment
  • any relevant council officer reports
  • relevant extracts of the Planning Policy Framework and other relevant extracts from the planning scheme – for example, schedules to zones or overlays
  • other relevant strategic material

We will confirm a Planning Panels Victoria contact person at this stage.

Late submissions

Where a late submission is referred to the panel, the contact details spreadsheet that identifies new submitter details and their submission number needs to be updated and resent with the late submission.

Late submissions must be accompanied by a council referral.

Housing Reform Act – New powers for Panels

Part 9 of the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Act 2025 commenced on 15 October 2025. It introduces new provisions into the Planning and Environment Act 1987 that affect Panels or Panel processes.

The new provisions relate to:

  • frivolous, vexatious or wholly irrelevant submissions (new section 23(6))
  • timeframes for panel reports (new section 27(2))
  • like submissions (new sections 158C, 158D and 158E)
  • consideration of matters on the basis of documents (new sections 158F and 158G)
  • expert conferences and joint expert reports (new sections 159A and 162A).

The new provisions are intended to improve the efficiency of Panel processes.

Planning Panels Victoria (PPV) is working through the provisions and what they mean for Panel processes.  PPV anticipates that the successful implementation of the new provisions will require cooperation between PPV and Planning Authorities.

For example PPV may:

  • seek confirmation from the Planning Authority that it has not referred any frivolous, vexatious or wholly irrelevant submissions to the Panel
  • ask the Planning Authority to identify submissions that it considers are the same or substantially the same in terms of the wording or content of the submissions
  • ask the Planning Authority to identify any submissions or matters raised in submissions that the Planning Authority considers do not raise a major issue of policy and may be suitable to be considered on the basis of documents.

Page last updated: 21/10/25