The State Government proposes to introduce new residential zones to municipal planning schemes across Victoria.

The Department of Planning and Community Development has released a discussion paper for the New Residential Zones.

It is proposed the new zones - Substantial Change Zone, Incremental Change Zone and Limited Change Zone -

replace the current Residential one, Residential two and Residential three zoning structure.

The document can be viewed and downloaded from http://www.dse.vic.gov.au.

A detailed timeline for the New Residential Zones project can be found in the discussion paper. Written submissions to the Department of Planning and Community Development closes April 18, 2008.

A spokesperson for the shire said the council could make printed copies available for people who have no direct access to a computer portal.

In addition to the release of the New Residential Zones discussion paper, public information sessions have been organised across Victoria. A session will be held on March 14, from 10am to midday at Alexandria on Lydiard, 3

Lydiard St, North Ballarat.

Further questions or comments can be directed to council planning manager Sylvester Tan on 5321 6438 or planning liaison Carolyn Harriott on 5321 6463.

The new zones are designed to:

* Keep single dwelling approvals in the building permit system as much as possible;

* Reduce the need for separate overlay controls;

* Enable councils to vary the standard zone requirements to suit a variety of local circumstances; and

* Streamline the approval of developments that clearly meet the purposes of the zone and meet set criteria.