[2026] VCAT 9
General information, not legal advice.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
2026-01-08
Original judgment source is linked above.
To construct a building or construct or carry out works.
To construct a building or construct or carry out works.
To construct a fence greater than 1.5 metres in height.
To reduce the number of car parking spaces required under clause 52.06-5.
(a) Initiatives contained within the Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) report along with the proposed changes, including:
- The plans are to note the minimum photovoltaic (PV) system capacity in kW to be installed to each warehouse roof area in accordance with the SMP, indicative rooftop areas designated for photovoltaic installation are to be detailed.
- Roof lights covering 10% of the warehouse floor area to be drawn on the plans.
(a) A landscape plan in accordance with Condition 7.
(b) Additional trees within the car parking areas associated with Warehouses 2A.1, 2A.2, 2B.1, 4A.1 and 4A.4.
(a) Demonstrate how runoff from the subdivision will be achieving objectives for environmental management of stormwater as set out in the 'Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines (CSIRO) 1999'.
(b) Provide details of the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment in accordance with the City's standards
- Infrastructure Design Manual (Local Government Infrastructure Design Association)
- Design Note 2: Stormwater Detention Storage Design (City of Greater Geelong)
- Design Note 3: MUSIC - Modelling Approach and Parameters for use within the City of Greater Geelong (City of Greater Geelong)
- Constructed Wetland Design Manual (Melbourne Water)
(c) Details of the management of internal and external flows during and after the construction period.
(d) Details of how floodwaters will be conveyed with no adverse downstream impact;
- Analysis of existing four lot subdivision and proposed multi lot subdivision to demonstrate that further subdivision does not adversely affect adjoining properties, upstream drainage network, or the Elcho Basin.
- Analysis which compares existing subdivision and proposed subdivision's stormwater detention requirements and demonstrates that existing Elcho Basin has sufficient capacity to accommodate the additional flows.
(a) The name of project and the Planning Permit Number
(b) Scale and dimensions
(c) The layout of proposed new planting (where applicable) in all road reserves and traffic management devices (e.g. medians, islands, and roundabouts)
(d) Details of all other infrastructure within the reserve (e.g. underground services, street lights, stormwater pits, fire plugs etc.)
(e) Pedestrian linkages inclusive of proposed landscape treatments
(f) Proposed treatments within street closures.
(g) Buffer zones (i.e. rural interfaces and main roads).
(h) A detailed planting schedule of all proposed trees and plants including botanical names, common names, pot sizes, sizes at maturity and quantities for each species.
(a) The maintenance schedule for all proposed planting.
(b) Details of fencing information.
(c) Location of any lighting within the car parking areas.
(d) Additional trees within the car parking areas associated with Warehouses 2A.1, 2A.2, 2B.1, 4A.1 and 4A.4.
The landscaping shown on the endorsed plans must be maintained to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.
(a) Transport of materials, goods or commodities to or from the land;
(b) Appearance of any building, works or materials;
(c) Emission of noise, artificial light, vibration, odour, fumes, smoke, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit or oil;
(d) Presence of vermin;
(a) Listed in the table to Clause 53.10 of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme with no threshold distance specified.
(b) Listed in the table to Clause 53.10 of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme if the threshold distance specified in Clause 53.10 is not met.
(a) Construct the site stormwater system including separate connection for each lot into the existing legal point of discharge, or other nominated point/s as approved by the responsible authority. The stormwater connection must be in accordance with City of Greater Geelong Standard Drawings.
(b) Construct vehicular crossings in accordance with the requirements and standards of the City of Greater Geelong.
(c) Remove any redundant vehicular crossings with kerb and channel and the footpath/nature strip area reinstated to match existing construction in the street.
all to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.
(a) Any pump system is to be replaced by gravity discharge if and when available, and if directed by the responsible authority, at the land owner's full cost.
(b) Provision is made (if appropriate) in any subdivision for Owners Corporation drainage works, and access to those drainage works to be on common property or within an easement in favour of the Owners Corporation.
Note: Where the legal point of discharge is kerb and channel, discharge velocity at the kerb must be no greater than 1.5 m/s with a maximum discharge flow rate of 10 l/s and the outlet directed at an angle of 45o to the direction of flow in the kerb and channel.
(a) The functional layout plan(s) for the relevant stage has been approved by the responsible authority;
(b) The plan of subdivision has been lodged for certification with the responsible authority;
(c) The locations of other authorities' services have been provided to the satisfaction of the responsible authority; and
(d) They are submitted with the completed Design Engineers Checklist - Request for Detailed Design Approval
(a) All necessary computations and supporting documentation, including structural Certification for any structure, traffic data, road safety audit, stormwater treatment (MUSIC) modelling and geotechnical investigation report.
(b) All details of works consistent with the approved functional layout plan, submitted landscape plan and lodged plan of subdivision, including agreed location of services.
(c) Design for full construction of streets and underground drainage, including measures to control/capture pollutants and silt.
(d) Provisions for all services and conduits (underground), including alignments and offsets, on a separate services layout plan.
(a) Traffic control measures.
(b) Provision of street name plates to the Council standard design including a schedule of individual signs and associated street numbers.
(c) Provision of concrete footpaths in all streets and reserves.
(d) Provision of underground easement drains of sufficient capacity to serve all lots being created to a legal point of discharge and the provision of an inlet on each such lot.
(e) The location of maintenance vehicle access to reserves and provision of vehicle exclusion mechanisms abutting reserves.
(f) Details of proposed treatment and provision for lot boundary fencing adjoining all reserves other than road reserves.
(a) Provision for the utilisation of any surplus top soil from this stage.
(b) Permanent survey markers.
(c) On a separate construction plan sheet if considered necessary by the applicant, provision of conduits, including pits and ancillary works for optical fibre, telecommunications services or any equivalent alternative approved by the responsible authority.
(a) Details in relation to all filling on the subject land which must be compacted to specifications approved by the responsible authority.
(b) The relocation underground of all existing aerial services, on the layout plan.
(c) The location of any earthworks (cut or fill) or service provision in a location outside the designated tree protection zone which does not adversely impact on the health and integrity of any trees to be retained.
(d) All revisions to the original submitted construction plans must be documented in the drawings revision schedule and amendments highlighted with a 'cloud'.
Environmental Construction Management Plan ('ECMP')
(a) Hours of works, demolition or construction;
(b) Methods to contain dirt and mud within the site, and the method and frequency of clean up procedures;
(c) On site facilities for vehicle washing;
(d) Methods used with regards to dust suppression which may include but not limited to the following:
- Water truck to be retained on site at all times;
- Soil stockpiles to be retained on site must be seeded or provide a treatment to provide a crusted surface;
- Cease all works on site during high wind incidences;
- Vehicle/truck movements to be limited to a reduced speed to prevent dust emissions;
- Dust suppression measures including fencing in locations to existing dwelling;
(e) The protection measures for site features to be retained (e.g. vegetation, retaining walls, buildings, other structures and pathways, etc.);
(f) Delivery and unloading points and expected frequency;
(a) The movement of construction vehicles to and from the site must be regulated to ensure that no traffic hazards are created in and around the site;
(b) Parking facilities for construction workers;
(c) Measures to minimise the impact of construction vehicles arriving at / departing from the land;
(d) An outline of requests to occupy public footpaths or roads, and anticipated disruptions to local services;
(e) The processes to be adopted for the separation, re-use and recycling of demolition materials;
(f) The measures for prevention of the unintended movement of building waste and hazardous materials and other pollutants on or off the site, whether by air, water or other means;
(g) Any other measures that are consistent with the following Environmental Protection Authority publications: 'Environmental Management Guidelines for Major Construction Sites', 'Construction Techniques for Sediment and Pollution Control' and 'Doing it Right on Subdivisions';
(h) Handling, tracking and testing of all imported fill;
(i) Measures to be taken to ensure that no polluted water and/or sediment laden runoff is to be discharged directly or indirectly into stormwater drains or watercourses during the construction period; and;
(j) Methodology detailing how service vehicles (ie: Council Garbage Trucks) will be catered for during all stages of construction, including the removal of temporary turn around areas; and
Once the ECMP has been endorsed by the Responsible Authority under this permit it must be implemented and complied with at all times to the satisfaction of the responsible authority unless with the further written approval of the responsible authority.
The payment of a standardised New Customer Contribution is required for any new sewer connection. This will be calculated based on the potable domestic water meter size or water service size.
Notes: Extension, augmentation or rearrangement of the Distributor's electrical assets may be required to make such supplies available, with the cost of such works generally borne by the applicant.
Notes: Where electrical works are required to achieve VSIR compliance, a registered electrical contractor must be engaged to undertake such works.
Notes: Areas set aside for substations will be formalised to the Distributor's requirements under one of the following arrangements:
The Distributor will register such leases on title by way of a caveat prior to the registration of the plan of subdivision.

(a) The development is not started within two (2) years of the issued date of this permit.
(b) The development is not completed within four (4) years of the issued date of this permit.
In accordance with Section 69 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic), an application may be submitted to the responsible authority for an extension of the periods referred to in this condition.
(a) The plan of subdivision has not been certified under the Subdivision Act 1988 (Vic) within two (2) years of the issued date of this permit.
(b) A statement of compliance is not issued within five (5) years of the date of certification.
In accordance with Section 69 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic), an application may be submitted to the responsible authority for an extension of the periods referred to in this condition.
[1] Section 4(2)(d) of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic) states a failure to make a decision is deemed to be a decision to refuse to make the decision.
[2] The submissions and evidence of the parties, any supporting exhibits given at the hearing and the statements of grounds filed have all been considered in the determination of the proceeding. In accordance with the practice of the Tribunal, not all of this material will be cited or referred to in these reasons.
[3] See the decisions in Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd v Greater Geelong City Council [2022] VCAT 326, and Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd v City of Greater Geelong Council [2023] VSC 586.
[4] WorkSafe Victoria letter dated 24 March 2025 filed with the Tribunal and all parties to the proceeding.
[6] Council submission paragraph 23 and also Clause 17.01-1L-02 of the Scheme.
[8] Major Hazard Facilities Advisory Committee Final Report dated 19 July 2016
Heales Road Pty Ltd
Greater Geelong CC [2026] VCAT 9