--- title: "Merri-bek — Planning Rules" url: https://australianproperty.network/planning-rules/vic/merri-bek/ date: 2026-09-19 modified: 2026-09-19 lang: en author: "Nicklas Clark" description: "APN Codex · Planning Rules Victoria — Merri-bek The Rules That Govern Property in Merri-bek Instruments 60 Local Plan 1 VIC 59 As At 17 Sep 2026 1Overview The use,..." word_count: 827 --- # Merri-bek — Planning Rules APN Codex · Planning Rules Victoria — Merri-bek ### The Rules That Govern Property in Merri-bek Instruments60Local Plan1VIC59As At17 Sep 2026 1Overview The use, development, sale, lease and taxation of land in Merri-bek are governed by the 60 instruments listed here: 1 local planning instrument and 59 Victorian Acts and regulations. Each entry records the version in force, a plain-English description and a link to the official text. Commonwealth laws that apply across Australia, including the Building Code and foreign investment rules, are listed on the [national page →](/planning-rules/commonwealth/) Every instrument is checked against its official publisher each month, and a new version is recorded when it takes effect. Descriptions are APN's own and are not legal advice; the official version of each instrument prevails. 2The Local Plan Merri-bek Planning Scheme · In force from 27 August 2026 Applies the Victoria Planning Provisions to land in the City of Merri-bek, through zones, overlays and particular provisions that determine which uses and works need a permit and the matters weighed in deciding one. Its municipal planning strategy plans for population growth through neighbourhoods that each carry a mix of shops, services and open space proportionate to their scale. [Read the official text →](https://planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au/Merri-bek/ordinance) Each planning scheme is made under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and combines State and local planning provisions. Zone and overlay maps are not listed here; the planning scheme's official website shows the controls that apply to a particular property. 3Latest Versions 21 of the 60 instruments have a version that took effect in the 90 days to 17 September 2026. The most recent: - **16 September 2026:** Building Act 1993. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/building-act-1993)- **9 September 2026:** Subdivision Act 1988. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/subdivision-act-1988)- **9 September 2026:** Sale of Land Act 1962. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/sale-land-act-1962)- **9 September 2026:** Retirement Villages Act 1986. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/retirement-villages-act-1986)- **9 September 2026:** Residential Tenancies Act 1997. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/residential-tenancies-act-1997)- **9 September 2026:** Owners Corporations Act 2006. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006)- **9 September 2026:** Estate Agents Act 1980. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/estate-agents-act-1980)- **9 September 2026:** Conveyancers Act 2006. [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/conveyancers-act-2006) 4Planning and Development | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 | VIC | Act | 30 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/crown-land-reserves-act-1978) | | Development Victoria Act 2003 | VIC | Act | 26 Nov 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/development-victoria-act-2003) | | Planning and Environment Act 1987 | VIC | Act | 3 Aug 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/planning-and-environment-act-1987) | | Subdivision Act 1988 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/subdivision-act-1988) | | Victorian Planning Authority Act 2017 | VIC | Act | 13 Nov 2024 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/victorian-planning-authority-act-2017) | | Planning and Environment (Fees) Regulations 2016 | VIC | Regulation | 2 Oct 2024 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/planning-and-environment-fees-regulations-2016) | | Planning and Environment Interim Regulations 2026 | VIC | Regulation | 9 May 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/planning-and-environment-interim-regulations-2026) | | Subdivision (Fees) Regulations 2016 | VIC | Regulation | 13 Oct 2016 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/subdivision-fees-regulations-2016) | | Subdivision (Procedures) Regulations 2021 | VIC | Regulation | 3 Oct 2021 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/subdivision-procedures-regulations-2021) | | Subdivision (Registrar's Requirements) Regulations 2021 | VIC | Regulation | 10 Nov 2021 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/subdivision-registrars-requirements-regulations-2021) | 5Building and Construction | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Architects Act 1991 | VIC | Act | 13 Aug 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/architects-act-1991) | | Building Act 1993 | VIC | Act | 16 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/building-act-1993) | | Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 | VIC | Act | 1 Jul 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/domestic-building-contracts-act-1995) | | Fences Act 1968 | VIC | Act | 29 Mar 2021 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/fences-act-1968) | | Wrongs Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 25 Feb 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/wrongs-act-1958) | | Building Regulations 2018 | VIC | Regulation | 1 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/building-regulations-2018) | | Domestic Building Contracts Regulations 2017 | VIC | Regulation | 1 Jul 2021 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/domestic-building-contracts-regulations-2017) | | Plumbing Regulations 2018 | VIC | Regulation | 1 May 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/plumbing-regulations-2018) | 6Buying, Selling and Title | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Conveyancers Act 2006 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/conveyancers-act-2006) | | Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 | VIC | Act | 1 Jan 2020 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/land-acquisition-and-compensation-act-1986) | | Land Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 30 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/land-act-1958) | | Property Law Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 1 Jul 2024 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/property-law-act-1958) | | Sale of Land Act 1962 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/sale-land-act-1962) | | Settled Land Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 1 Jul 2015 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/settled-land-act-1958) | | Transfer of Land Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 22 Oct 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/transfer-land-act-1958) | | Conveyancers (Professional Conduct) Regulations 2018 | VIC | Regulation | 26 May 2018 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/conveyancers-professional-conduct-regulations-2018) | | Sale of Land (Public Auctions) Regulations 2024 | VIC | Regulation | 23 Jun 2024 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/sale-land-public-auctions-regulations-2024) | | Transfer of Land (Fees) Regulations 2016 | VIC | Regulation | 14 Apr 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/transfer-land-fees-regulations-2016) | 7Renting and Residential Communities | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Housing Act 1983 | VIC | Act | 6 Aug 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/housing-act-1983) | | Residential Tenancies Act 1997 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/residential-tenancies-act-1997) | | Retirement Villages Act 1986 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/retirement-villages-act-1986) | | Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 | VIC | Act | 28 Jul 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/victorian-civil-and-administrative-tribunal-act-1998) | | Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 | VIC | Regulation | 30 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/residential-tenancies-regulations-2021) | | Retirement Villages (Contractual Arrangements) Regulations 2017 | VIC | Regulation | 1 May 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/retirement-villages-contractual-arrangements-regulations-2017) | | Retirement Villages Regulations 2026 | VIC | Regulation | 7 Jul 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/retirement-villages-regulations-2026) | 8Strata and Community Title | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Owners Corporations Act 2006 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006) | | Owners Corporations Regulations 2018 | VIC | Regulation | 1 Dec 2021 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/owners-corporations-regulations-2018) | 9Land Tax, Duties and Valuation | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Duties Act 2000 | VIC | Act | 24 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/duties-act-2000) | | Land Tax Act 2005 | VIC | Act | 1 May 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/land-tax-act-2005) | | Taxation Administration Act 1997 | VIC | Act | 26 Nov 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/taxation-administration-act-1997) | | Valuation of Land Act 1960 | VIC | Act | 1 Jul 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/valuation-land-act-1960) | | Valuation of Land Regulations 2024 | VIC | Regulation | 27 Sep 2024 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/valuation-land-regulations-2024) | 10Heritage and Environment | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 | VIC | Act | 1 May 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/aboriginal-heritage-act-2006) | | Environment Effects Act 1978 | VIC | Act | 14 Nov 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/environment-effects-act-1978) | | Environment Protection Act 2017 | VIC | Act | 30 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/environment-protection-act-2017) | | Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 | VIC | Act | 22 Oct 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/flora-and-fauna-guarantee-act-1988) | | Heritage Act 2017 | VIC | Act | 1 May 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/heritage-act-2017) | | Marine and Coastal Act 2018 | VIC | Act | 30 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/marine-and-coastal-act-2018) | | Water Act 1989 | VIC | Act | 24 Jun 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/water-act-1989) | | Water Industry Act 1994 | VIC | Act | 1 Jul 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/water-industry-act-1994) | | Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 | VIC | Regulation | 23 May 2018 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/aboriginal-heritage-regulations-2018) | | Environment Protection Regulations 2021 | VIC | Regulation | 8 Nov 2023 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/environment-protection-regulations-2021) | | Heritage Regulations 2017 | VIC | Regulation | 1 Apr 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/heritage-regulations-2017) | 11Natural Hazards and Fire | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Country Fire Authority Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 22 Oct 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/country-fire-authority-act-1958) | | Emergency Management Act 2013 | VIC | Act | 22 Oct 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/emergency-management-act-2013) | | Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 | VIC | Act | 1 Jul 2025 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/fire-rescue-victoria-act-1958) | 12Real Estate Agents | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Estate Agents Act 1980 | VIC | Act | 9 Sep 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/estate-agents-act-1980) | | Estate Agents (General, Accounts and Audit) Regulations 2018 | VIC | Regulation | 11 Jul 2018 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/estate-agents-general-accounts-and-audit-regulations-2018) | 13Local Government | Instrument | Level | Type | In Force From | Source | | ---------- | ----- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Local Government Act 2020 | VIC | Act | 15 Apr 2026 | [Official →](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/local-government-act-2020) | ##### Area Parameters Local Government AreaMerri-bekStateVICInstruments60Local Plan In Force27 Aug 2026CheckedMonthlyAs At17 Sep 2026 ##### Instruments by Subject Planning and Development10Building and Construction8Buying, Selling and Title10Renting and Residential Communities7Strata and Community Title2Land Tax, Duties and Valuation5Heritage and Environment11Natural Hazards and Fire3Real Estate Agents2Local Government1 ##### Related [ Victoria Victoria — Planning Rules State-wide instruments and a page for each council area. ](/planning-rules/vic/) [ Australia Commonwealth — Planning Rules Commonwealth laws on building, tax, environment and foreign investment that apply everywhere. ](/planning-rules/commonwealth/) ##### Official Publishers [ Victoria Victorian Legislation Authorised versions of Victorian Acts and regulations. ](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/) [ Victoria Planning Schemes Online The official text of every Victorian planning scheme. ](https://planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au/) [ Commonwealth Federal Register of Legislation Authorised Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments. ](https://www.legislation.gov.au/) Links lead to each instrument's official publisher.