Who it's for
Town planning drawings, in Melbourne and across Victoria, are the plans council reads to decide your application. For a venue, they're often the same base drawings Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) uses for your licence. This page is for venues that need plans drawn or updated.
- You're applying for a planning permit or an amendment
- You're changing the layout or adding an outdoor area
- You need a red line plan for a liquor licence
- Your existing plans are out of date
Not you? If you need the whole application, see planning permit for a new venue or change your planning permit.
What planning drawings for a permit application show
For a venue, council usually asks for:
- a site plan showing boundaries, the building, neighbours and entries
- existing and proposed floor plans showing seating, bar, kitchen, toilets and exits
- outdoor areas, such as a courtyard or footpath dining
- elevations, if there's work to the outside of the building
Each council has its own checklist. We check it before we draw, so the application isn't held up by a missing plan.
A floor plan for council and a red line plan for LCV
A red line plan shows the licensed area boundary, as approved by LCV: in plain terms, where liquor can be served. Any change to the licensed area needs a new red line plan and a licence variation. See red line plans.
Your planning drawings and red line plan describe the same building, so we draw them from the same base. A licence that shows a different layout from the permit's approved plans invites questions. A red line plan is included with every licence application we prepare.
What our drawings don't cover
Our drawings are for planning and licensing. Building permits need construction drawings from an architect or building designer, approved by a building surveyor. We work with them so everyone uses the same layout.
One base drawing, two approvals. We draw your planning plans and red line plan from the same base, so council and LCV see the same venue.
How it works
Most drawing jobs follow four steps.
- 15-minute call Tell us what the drawings are for and what you have. We fix the fee.
- Send us what you have Upload plans, photos and measurements through our online form.
- We draw, you check Our in-house draftsman prepares the drawings. You check they match the venue and sign off.
- We lodge or hand over The drawings go in with your application, or you get final files ready to lodge.
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
Drawings are a fixed fee, quoted before we start. Timing depends on whether usable plans already exist.
- Drawings only
- Fixed fee, quoted before we start
- Red line plan
- Included with every licence application
- New licence applications
- Lodged within 10 business days of receiving your documents
What we need from you
To draw your plans, we'll ask for:
- Existing plans: architect's, lease or old permit plans
- Photos of the venue, inside and out
- Measurements, if there are no reliable plans
- Your proposed layout and what the drawings are for
Questions
What drawings does council need for a planning permit?
Usually a site plan and existing and proposed floor plans, plus elevations if you're changing the outside of the building. For a venue, the floor plans should show seating, the bar, kitchen, toilets, exits and outdoor areas. Each council has its own checklist, and the set depends on the application. We check council's requirements before we draw, so nothing holds up the application.
Do I need an architect for planning drawings?
Not always. For a change of use, a new layout or a licensed area change, drafted floor plans and a site plan are often enough. If you're doing significant building work, an architect or building designer usually prepares the design, and you'll need their drawings for the building permit anyway. Then we work from their plans and prepare what council and LCV need from them.
How long do planning drawings take?
It depends on what you already have. With accurate existing plans, we work from them; without them, we need measurements first. We give you a date range at the first call; simple layouts with good plans are quickest. For new liquor licence applications, the red line plan is included and the application is lodged within 10 business days of receiving your documents.
Can you use my existing plans?
Usually, yes. Architect's drawings, lease plans and plans from an old permit are good starting points. We check they match the venue as it is now, because layouts change and old plans often miss the current bar, seating or walls. Then we update them for council or LCV. Send us what you have through our online form and we'll tell you what's usable.