Victoria's Evolving
Planning Pathways

Victoria's planning system has evolved to embed sustainability, resilience, and design quality at the centre of every housing type, from single dwellings to complex multi-storey developments. Each pathway in the Victorian Planning Scheme now offers a tailored framework for demonstrating sustainable design performance, supported by clear benchmarks and, increasingly, opportunities for faster approvals.

For most residential projects, the ResCode suite (Clauses 54, 55, 57 and 58) forms the foundation. Clause 54 applies to single dwellings and small additions, Clause 55 extends these principles to medium density housing of up to three storeys, Clause 57 governs low to midrise apartments (up to four storeys), while Clause 58 applies to larger or higher density residential developments. Together, these frameworks progressively scale performance expectations from basic energy efficiency and urban greening through to advanced daylighting, natural ventilation, and energy modelling. While Clauses 54 and 55 allow 'deemed to comply' assessment and limited appeal rights where standards are met, Clauses 57 and 58 rely on performance-based design responses, requiring a more holistic demonstration of environmental and amenity outcomes.

Sitting above these is Clause 53.25, the Great Design Fast Track (GDFT), introduced in 2025 as a ministerial pathway for exemplary projects between two and eight storeys. To qualify, developments must achieve an 8 star NatHERS average for apartments or 7.5 stars for other dwellings, provide effective natural ventilation, and align with the Minister for Planning's Design Principles. All GDFT applications are reviewed by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, ensuring that projects fast-tracked for approval maintain exceptional design and sustainability standards.

Beyond these specific clauses, the Development Facilitation Program (DFP) provides an overarching mechanism for state significant or priority housing projects to be assessed more rapidly by the Minister for Planning. Projects submitted through the DFP can benefit from ministerial call in, reduced approval timeframes (often within four months), and exemption from third party appeals, provided they demonstrate strong design quality, feasibility, and environmental outcomes aligned with the state's housing and sustainability objectives.

Across all pathways, Clause 15.01-2S (Building Design) reinforces Victoria's commitment to resource efficient, low impact, and climate resilient buildings. Councils are increasingly requesting embodied carbon assessments as part of planning submissions, aligning local practice with Green Star, NABERS, and state sustainability goals. At Ark Resources, we bring proven experience in delivering certified Green Star projects, including achievement of Credit 21: Embodied Carbon Reduction. Our work reduces material impacts through detailed life cycle assessments, strategic material selection, and innovative low-carbon design.

Building on this foundation, Ark Resources now has two NABERS-accredited assessors for embodied carbon, providing independent rigour and assurance that from planning stages through to construction, projects demonstrate the highest sustainability benchmarks are achieved. From ResCode to the Great Design Fast Track and Development Facilitation Program, we help clients navigate Victoria's evolving planning pathways. Whether it's a single infill home, townhouse project, or midrise apartment, Ark Resources delivers the insight, evidence and comprehensive advice to future proof design and meet Victoria's rising sustainability targets.