Strategic Planning and Heritage

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning involves setting the long-term vision for future use, development, protection and conservation of land. The Council is responsible for developing strategies, plans and policies to reinforce this vision. These strategies and policies can affect the entire Rural City or be specific to key sites or areas. They aim to ensure our community has a consistent and planned approach towards things such as heritage, housing, commercial and retail developments, amenity and neighbourhood character.

Strategic Planning also involves maintaining and updating the Benalla Planning Scheme.

Heritage

Benalla Rural City is subject to heritage overlays. You can find these marked with ‘HO’ and a number (for example, HO26) on the Planning Scheme Map.

These areas are protected to conserve the heritage of places with natural or cultural significance. 

A permit is required for properties within a heritage overlay to perform works including subdivisions, install a rainwater tank that may be visible from the road, install a pergola or verandah, build a swimming pool or many other activities. You’ll find the comprehensive list of permit requirements on the complete Benalla Planning Scheme. 

Visit our Planning page for more information about permit requirements.