Statewide Update to Native Vegetation Rules – What Amendment VC291 Means for Landowners
Amendment VC291: Updated Native Vegetation Guidelines Now in Effect
A statewide planning scheme amendment (VC291) has quietly updated the way native vegetation removal applications are assessed across Victoria.
While this amendment has not introduced new policy direction, it does replace the long-standing 2017 Native Vegetation Guidelines with an updated August 2025 version, which now applies under Clause 72.04 of all Victorian planning schemes.
For landowners, developers and consultants, this means the technical framework for assessing native vegetation removal has changed — even if the underlying “no net loss” objective remains.
What Has Changed?
1. The 2025 Native Vegetation Guidelines Now Apply
The previous 2017 Guidelines have been formally replaced with the Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (August 2025, Version 1.1).
The updated document:
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Aligns processes with the current Native Vegetation Regulation Map
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Clarifies application requirements
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Restructures offset requirements
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Updates terminology and references
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Reflects current operational practices
Any new planning permit application under Clause 52.16 or 52.17 must now rely on the 2025 Guidelines.
2. Clearer Application Requirements
The updated Guidelines clarify that:
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A Native Vegetation Removal Report (NVRR) must be submitted with an application.
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“Past removal” includes vegetation being assessed in other concurrent applications.
This reduces ambiguity but may increase scrutiny where multiple applications relate to the same land or ownership.
3. Offset Requirements Have Been Re-Structured
The offset section of the Guidelines has been reorganised to provide clearer distinction between:
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Freehold offset sites
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Freehold sites transferred to the Crown
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Crown land offset sites
While this does not change the “no net loss” objective, it may affect how offset evidence is prepared and documented.
4. Mallee Ecological Vegetation Class Correction
In four Mallee vegetation classes (primarily in north-western Victoria), certain native Mallee and Eucalypt species will no longer automatically be classified as “large trees”.
This reduces administrative burden and offset costs in those specific regions.
For most applications in regional central Victoria (including Moorabool, Ballarat and surrounding municipalities), this change is unlikely to have practical impact.
What Has Not Changed
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The objective of “no net loss” to biodiversity remains.
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Clause 52.17 still applies to most native vegetation removal.
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Offsets are still required where vegetation removal cannot be avoided.
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Avoid–minimise–offset remains the guiding principle.
Why This Matters
Although described as largely administrative, the amendment has practical implications:
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Applications referencing outdated 2017 Guidelines may now be incomplete.
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Councils are likely to require updated documentation.
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Consultants must ensure their reports reflect the 2025 framework.
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Feasibility advice should be based on the current Regulation Map settings.
Even subtle procedural changes can affect timelines, offset costs and assessment risk.
Subdivision Referral Update
Amendment VC291 also updates Clause 66.01 to refer to “the relevant fire authority” rather than only the CFA. This reflects Fire Rescue Victoria’s jurisdiction in metropolitan fire districts.
This change is largely administrative but improves clarity in subdivision referral processes.
Our Advice
If you are:
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Lodging a rural dwelling application
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Proposing subdivision in a vegetated area
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Removing vegetation for defendable space
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Planning development on land affected by Clause 52.17
You should ensure your documentation references the 2025 Native Vegetation Guidelines.
We have updated our internal systems and reporting templates to reflect the new framework and are actively reviewing how the changes interact with current applications.
If you are unsure how this amendment affects your site, feel free to contact our team.