Who it's for
If your permit holds your venue back, you can apply to amend the planning permit in Victoria. This page is for operators whose permit no longer fits how they trade.
- A condition caps your hours or patron numbers below what you need
- You want to change the layout, add seats or use a courtyard
- A condition is unclear, out of date or hard to comply with
- You're buying a venue and the permit doesn't fit your plans
Not you? If the condition is about liquor and dates from before July 2025, see old liquor conditions on your permit. If council has written to you, see council enforcement notices.
What a section 72 amendment is
A section 72 amendment is an application to council to change an existing permit: its conditions, approved plans or hours. The key point is that council's assessment is confined to the change you ask for. It doesn't reopen the rest of the permit. If you ask for one more hour on Fridays, the question is the effect of that hour, not whether the venue should be there at all.
Where the permit allows it, small changes to approved plans can go through secondary consent instead. It's simpler, and suits things like moving a bar or rearranging seating. It doesn't suit changes to hours or patron numbers.
How to change or remove a permit condition
Council looks at what the condition was there to do and whether the change affects neighbours. Evidence helps: an acoustic report, a management plan or new plans, depending on the change. We match the evidence to the change, so you don't pay for reports you don't need.
If you want later hours or more patrons, your licence usually needs to change too. We can run the liquor licence variation alongside the amendment.
Only the change is up for assessment. An amendment application shouldn't reopen the rest of your permit. We keep it that way.
How it works
Most permit amendments follow four steps.
- 15-minute call Tell us what you want to change. We tell you which route fits and fix the fee.
- Online form You upload the permit, approved plans and any council letters.
- We prepare it We write the application and any new drawings. You sign off before it's lodged.
- We deal with council We answer information requests and objections through to a decision.
Change the permit and the licence together. Later hours on the permit won't help if your liquor licence still says otherwise.
Speak with Jacob
Principal. Twelve years running venues and working inside local government.
The first conversation is free.
Book a 15-minute call(03) 7064 8477We reply within 24 hours.
Fees and timing
Our fee is fixed and quoted before we start. Council's time depends on information requests and notice.
- Our fee
- Fixed fee, quoted before we start
- Council's fee
- Paid to council, separate from ours
- Council's timeframe
- 60 statutory days, as for a new application. The clock pauses for further information and notice.
- If refused
- You can ask VCAT to review the decision
What we need from you
To assess the change, we'll ask for:
- The current permit, with any earlier amendments
- The approved (endorsed) plans
- What you want to change, and why it matters to your trade
- Any letters from council or complaints from neighbours
Questions
Can I change the conditions on my planning permit?
Yes. You apply to council for a section 72 amendment, which can change conditions, approved plans or hours. Council's assessment is confined to the change you ask for, so it doesn't reopen the rest of the permit. Small changes to approved plans can sometimes go through secondary consent instead, if your permit allows it. We tell you which route fits.
How long does a planning permit amendment take?
It depends on the change and the council. A full amendment generally runs on the same statutory clock as a new application (60 statutory days), and that clock pauses for further information and notice to neighbours. Real times are often longer. Secondary consent is usually quicker. If neighbours object, expect it to take longer. We give you a realistic range at the first call.
Will my amendment be advertised to neighbours?
It might be. Council decides whether notice is needed, and it's common when a change could affect neighbours, such as longer hours, more patrons or music. If notice is given, neighbours can object and council takes that into account. A clear application with the right evidence gives council and neighbours less to worry about. We respond to any objections in writing.
What if council refuses the amendment?
You can ask VCAT (the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) to review the decision, or the conditions council puts on it. We prepare the case and present it, working with a barrister on complex matters. VCAT can also review a council that doesn't decide in time. We'll tell you if a revised application to council might be quicker. See VCAT reviews.