April 2021
Restrictive Covenants – their meaning, effect and removal
Restrictive covenants are where property law crosses with planning law. A planning permit may not be granted if it would authorise a breach of a restrictive covenant. Restrictive covenants may be ended or modified by planning permit or planning scheme amendment. Yet restrictive covenants are exceedingly complex to interpret. The Courts have said that subtle differences in wording or circumstances can significantly change the meaning of a covenant. In this workshop, you will learn how to interpret a restrictive covenant,…
Find out more »Section 173 Agreements – when, why and how?
Every year, thousands of section 173 Agreements are entered into and recorded against land titles. They are legal agreements affecting legal rights. They are authorised by legislation but have been described by the Tribunal as “a hybrid agreement”. Yet they are often drafted by non-lawyers. In this workshop, you will learn the broad principles of drafting and interpreting section 173 Agreements. When and how to use them and when not to use them. Presenter John Rantino, Partner, Maddocks Lawyers
Find out more »May 2021
Rural Land Use Planning – Part 1: How to draft a Rural Strategy
Rural land use planning expert Shelley McGuinness will outline how to prepare a Rural Strategy to provide guidance for rural areas within a municipality. The program will outline what matters must be taken into consideration, how a strategy should be scoped and what level of consultation might be appropriate. The program will use real case studies to inform best practice. Presenters Shelley McGuinness, Senior Consultant, RM Consulting Group Check out Part 2 of our Rural Land Use Planning module: Principles…
Find out more »Plan Reading Skills
Plan reading is an essential element of every town planners’ skill set. This course is essential for any planning professional seeking to take their skills to the next level. The course will aim to provide attendees with an explanation of the more complex elements of plan reading and plan drafting. It will be a hands-on learning experience where participants will work on developing their professional skills in an interactive setting. The course aims to give participants practical, real-world examples of…
Find out more »June 2021
Rural Land Use Planning- Part 2: Principles for Assessing Applications in Rural Zones
Part 2: Principles for Assessing Applications in Rural Zones Assessing applications in rural areas can be challenging. There are a complex series of decision guidelines that must be considered and applications can be scant on detail. In this second part to our Rural Land Use Planning series, John Glossop provides tips and tricks on how to process applications in rural areas and determine whether a permit should be granted. John will provide authoritative guidance about what information should be requested…
Find out more »Effective Decision Making Principles for Planners
Just what is relevant to making a decision as a council planner or reviewing an application as a referral authority? What is a valid consideration in your assessment? This half-day program simplifies the architecture of the Victoria Planning Provisions to provide statutory planners with the toolkit to demonstrate confidence in assessing planning permit applications. The program will consider: The parameters for making planning decisions. Understanding decision guidelines. When and how to exercise discretion. Techniques for producing desired outcomes in decisionmaking.…
Find out more »July 2021
Plan(t) it up: Landscape Plan Assessment
Landscape plans design and plan for life in the landscape, whether public or private realm. In this half day hands on session, you will learn how to assess a landscape plan straight from the experts! Learning outcomes: Understand the purpose and components of a landscape plan Learn how to read and interpret a landscape plan Learn how to critically analyse a landscape plan Audience: This program is designed for local government planners, planning consultants and other built environment professionals who…
Find out more »August 2021
Principles of a Modern Planning Scheme – Part 2: Effectively Using Zone and Overlay Schedules
Through the implementation of the Planning Policy Framework and reforms to zones and overlays, the way in which planning schemes are designed to give effect to land use planning directions has changed – not significantly, but enough to think about how your scheme can be effectively drafted. This two-part seminar considers how to appropriately draft planning scheme provisions to give effect to the Ministerial Direction on the Form and Content of Planning Schemes and have regard to the ‘entry rules’…
Find out more »Preparing for VCAT
Nearly all VCAT appearances require the drafting and presenting of a written submission. The submission is not the only part of advocacy but it is an important part. Drafting for VCAT involves more than writing a submission. Everything a planner writes can affect the outcome of a proceeding (including external correspondence, responses to referrals etc). In the case of an applicant for planning permit this includes the written application, responses to requests for further information, responses to objectors, the application…
Find out more »September 2021
Learn the Lingo: Identifying Architectural Styles and Terms
Don't know the difference between a mullion and a mutton? Can't tell the difference between a parapet and a parasol? If you think a ziggurat is a delicious snack, then this course is for you! Join David Cooke from DCA Design to learn how to identify key architectural styles, roof forms and develop your architectural vocabulary! Learning outcomes: After this session, you will be able to: Identify key architectural styles and describe them; Identify different roof forms; Understand key architectural…
Find out more »October 2021
How to Write Planning Permit Conditions
Drafting planning permit conditions is a fundamental part of your role as a statutory planner. This course will explain the principles of drafting a ‘valid’ planning permit condition to make your conditions safe from challenge at VCAT. Using case studies, VCAT decisions, and real world scenarios, this course will improve your confidence and skill as a condition writer. If you are statutory planner in local government or in a referral authority, this course is a must. Audience: Statutory planners in…
Find out more »Existing Use Rights
Existing use rights play an important role in town planning. They are protected by law and the planning schemes, yet they are imbued with uncertainty and complexity. When are they created? What is protected? When are they subject to the planning scheme? In this workshop, you will learn the broad principles of existing use rights and be able to identify when, how and how much they apply. Presenter: John Rantino, Special Counsel, Maddocks Lawyers
Find out more »Housing and Character Policy
Planning Practice Notes PPN90: Planning for Housing and PPN91: Using the Residential Zones provide direction for housing in planning schemes. This interactive course will outline what these practice notes mean for planning for housing. It will provide an overview of how these practice notes should inform any review or development of housing and neighbourhood character studies and how zones can be used effectively to implement this strategic work, in line with the direction in the practice notes. The course will…
Find out more »November 2021
Heritage Assessment for built environment professionals
Understanding heritage protection and conservation is key for all planners and built environment professionals. This half day session will give you fantastic insight into heritage legislation, protection and conservation and an understanding of how to identify potential heritage issues in your next project. This session will incorporate case studies and hands-on exercises to ensure you leave with knowledge you can directly apply to your work! Learning outcomes: Know various levels of heritage protection and legislation in Australia. Learn the major…
Find out more »Seeing the Light: Daylight Assessment for Built Environment Professionals
The quality of internal amenity to apartments and medium density housing is one of the most challenging issues confronting planners, architects and decision-makers at all levels. This course brings together recognised industry experts to provide participants with the tools, skills and language to understand how daylight quality is measured, what standards can be used to assess daylight quality and how can buildings be designed to improve daylight quality. This course will be suitable for planners, architects, designers and decision-makers that…
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