Rural and Regional Dwelling Applications

Building a home in rural Victoria? We make it possible.

Constructing a dwelling in rural or regional Victoria, especially in the Farming Zone (FZ), Rural Living Zone (RLZ), or Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ), is rarely straightforward. Strict planning controls, local policy frameworks, and referral authority requirements often create a complex and high-risk approval process. At EDQ, we specialise in helping landowners, families, and farmers navigate these requirements with confidence.

What’s Involved in a Rural Dwelling Application?

Every rural dwelling application must be tailored to the unique characteristics of the site, zone, overlays, and intended use. While each Council differs, most applications must respond to:

• Local planning policy, particularly rural housing strategy provisions (e.g. Moorabool Rural Land Use Strategy, Macedon Ranges Rural Land Use Strategy, Central Highlands Regional Growth Plan)
• Zone requirements, including tests for genuine agricultural use or rural lifestyle justification
• Overlays, such as the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO), and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO)
• Infrastructure access, including legal access to a road, power, potable water, and effluent disposal
• Supporting documentation, including:
  • Land Capability Assessment (LCA)
  • Bushfire Management Statement (BMS)
  • Farm or Land Management Plan
  • Site plans and architectural drawings
  • Planning assessment report

How We Help

We’ve assisted with dozens of rural dwelling approvals across Victoria and are experts in preparing robust applications that reduce risk and provide Councils with clear, justified proposals.

EDQ can assist with:

• Preliminary risk and feasibility assessments
• Coordination of required subconsultants (LCA, BMS, Farm Plans, etc.)
• Drafting of site plans and elevations
• Preparation of the full planning application for lodgment
• Managing Council RFIs and referral authority responses

We are particularly skilled in aligning your proposal with local Rural Land Use Strategies and navigating challenges like dwelling excisions, fragmented landholdings, and amenity buffer zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit just to build a house in the Farming Zone?
Yes; unless your land meets very specific exemption criteria (e.g. it’s >40ha and you’re not in a Schedule with a permit trigger), you’ll almost always need a planning permit.

What if the land is “rural lifestyle” rather than genuine farming?
Some strategies allow for low-scale lifestyle dwellings, especially in RLZ or transitional areas. We assess this on a case-by-case basis and can advise early on your likelihood of success.

Can EDQ prepare the entire application for me?
Yes. We offer a complete end-to-end service including planning, drafting, and coordination of all required reports.

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re planning a farmhouse on your grazing property or looking to establish a rural retreat, EDQ can help you secure the approvals you need.