Industry news, insights & project updates

Recent planning reforms support more flexible housing outcomes, but restrictive covenants on title can still prevent development. A recent decision in Gisborne shows why covenant variations remain critical — even where planning policy has changed.

Liquor licence renewal in Victoria follows a fixed annual timeline, with serious consequences if deadlines are missed. This guide explains the full renewal process, key dates, and when supplying alcohol becomes illegal.

Liquor signage is a licence condition for Victorian hospitality venues and bottle shops — and it’s one of the easiest compliance requirements to get wrong. This article explains what signage you must display, where it needs to go, and how to ensure you’re using the correct, current versions.

A practical overview of the Restaurant and Café liquor licence process in regional Victoria, using a real-world example from Rainbow to explain what’s required, how approvals work, and why good preparation matters.

Understanding Victoria’s liquor licensing system isn’t just about filling out an application. This guide explains the main liquor licence types, how they differ in practice, and what’s involved in setting up a new licensed venue, retail outlet or online alcohol business in Victoria.

Subdividing land in Victoria involves more than just getting a survey done. This article explains the subdivision process, common constraints, and what property owners should understand before starting.

VC286 removed Clause 52.27 from all Victorian planning schemes, but some councils still insist historic liquor permits must be amended to vary an existing liquor licence. VCAT has now confirmed Clause 52.27-only permits have no continuing effect, and councils should simply confirm whether a proposal contravenes the current scheme.

The Carranballac Recreation Reserve was destroyed in the January 2026 bushfire that swept through western Victoria, resulting in the loss of buildings, infrastructure and a long-standing community venue closely tied to local traditions.

Planning scheme amendment VC277 has changed how car parking requirements are calculated across Victoria. Clause 52.06 now uses map-based categories tied to public transport access, introduces maximum parking rates in some areas, and creates new permit triggers for oversupplying car spaces. This article explains what changed, when it applies, and what to check before lodging a planning application.

A new statewide planning control now regulates the removal of canopy trees on residential land across Victoria, introducing permit requirements, replacement planting obligations, and a streamlined VicSmart assessment process.

From 1 December 2025, RSA training in Victoria includes a new mandatory sexual harassment and assault module. The change applies to both new RSA applicants and refresher training, introducing an additional online requirement before an RSA certificate can be issued.