Amendment C216brim - Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centre Parking Overlays

The Minister for Planning has approved Amendment C216brim (the Amendment) to the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

The Amendment came into operation when notice of its approval was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 14 April 2023.

The Amendment implements the objectives of the Brimbank Parking Strategy 2019 - 2029, and the Sunshine Metropolitan Activity Centre Parking Plan 2021 and St Albans Major Activity Centre Parking Plan 2021 (Car Parking Plans), by providing statutory guidance for car parking provisions on land:

  • zoned Activity Centre Zone Schedule 1 within the Sunshine Metropolitan Activity Centre
  • zoned Commercial 1 Zone and Mixed Use Zone within the St Albans Major Activity Centre.

The statutory tool is the Parking Overlay (PO), which has been prepared for both centres. The PO sets out rates for the provision of car parking when a new use commences, or when the floor area of an existing use increases on land affected by the PO. 

The Amendment does not:

  • propose to collect a financial contribution for car parking
  • propose to construct new car parking
  • apply to residentially zoned land 
  • make any changes to parking restrictions
  • relate to the provision of public car parking or change any existing public car parking spaces.

Public forms of car parking are managed by Council in the Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centres. Please see the following pages for details on how parking in each centre is managed:

Approved Amendment documents

Explanatory report

Instruction sheet

Clauses and schedules

Map sheets

Supporting documents, clauses and schedules in track change format

Project timeline

Milestone Date
Council adopts Brimbank Parking Strategy 2019-2029 2019
Council adopts Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centres Car Parking Management Plans 2020
Draft Sunshine and St Albans Parking Overlays and Parking Plans developed 2020–2021
Council endorses the draft Sunshine and St Albans Parking Overlays and Parking Plans  and resolves to seek authorisation to prepare and exhibit Amendment C216brim 21 Sep 21
Minister for Planning authorises Amendment C216brim 19 Nov 21
Amendment exhibition commences 17 Mar 22
Amendment exhibition closes 18 Apr 22
Council considered submissions received and resolved to submit Amendment C216brim to the Minister for approval at Council meeting.
19 July 2022
Amendment submitted to Minister for Planning for approval.
9 August 2022
Amendment approved by the Minister for Planning. 9 February 2023
Amendment came into operation after notice of approval published in the Victoria Government Gazette.
14 April 2023

Frequently asked questions

How did the Amendment come about?

The Brimbank Parking Strategy 2019-2029 was adopted by Council in 2019 and documents a high level, coordinated, consistent and transparent approach for the provision and management of car parking across the municipality.

It establishes a ‘management first’ approach to the provision of car parking, and recognises that the way Council provides and plans for car parking will shift to respond to the unique and evolving transport characteristics of the municipality, particularly to support the sustainable development of Brimbank’s Activity Centres.

The Parking Strategy and Brimbank Council Plan 2017-2021 include actions to investigate reduced parking rates via a Parking Overlay for the Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centres.

What is a Parking Overlay?

A Parking Overlay is an urban planning tool that is used to respond to local car parking issues, including setting parking rates for a precinct and is embedded in the Planning Scheme.

A Planning Scheme sets out the state, regional and local planning policy requirements for the use, development and protection of land in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Every local government area in Victoria has a Planning Scheme, which contains content relevant to that area. The Planning Scheme is used to inform and assess planning permit applications for land use and development within Brimbank.

Parking rates for new use and development are currently provided in accordance with the requirements of Clause 52.06 of the Brimbank Planning Scheme. The parking rates established by Clause 52.06 apply to all planning schemes in Victoria.

A Parking Overlay allows Council to vary the car parking rates included in Clause 52.06, based on recommendations in an adopted Car Parking Plan. Draft Parking Plans prepared for the Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centres recommend the use of revised minimum statutory parking rates tailored to specific uses within the Centres.

By adopting car parking rates that more accurately reflect the demand generated in each of the Centres, Council can ensure that new use and development will provide car parking at a rate that will satisfy need, while also recognising the multi-purpose nature of visits to the Activity Centres and making use of existing assets.

The revised rates will also support a shift to more sustainable transport modes and improve urban design outcomes, congestion and amenity within and surrounding the Centres.

Why is a Parking Overlay proposed to be applied to the Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centres?

By introducing parking rates that accurately reflect existing activity centre conditions, including the availability of public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure, and the multi-purpose nature trips to the centres, Council can facilitate car parking provision at a level that is appropriate for use and development in each centre.

How can a Parking Overlay be implemented?

To implement the Parking Overlay, an amendment to the Brimbank Planning Scheme is required. The amendment process involves public exhibition of all relevant statutory and supporting material, and provides the opportunity for anyone impacted by the amendment to make a submission.

If, following exhibition, Council and the Minister for Planning supports the amendment, then the Parking Overlay would be included in the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

How will a Parking Overlay affect my property?

If you are not proposing to change the use of your land and/or carry out any buildings and works, the proposed Parking Overlay will not affect your land. 

It may affect your property if you are changing the use of your land and/or are proposing to carry out buildings and works that result in an increase in floor space. 

If you are not proposing to change the use of your land and/or carry out any buildings and works in these locations, the proposed Parking Overlay will not affect your land. 

The proposed Parking Overlay will apply to land zoned Activity Centre Zone – Schedule 1 in the Sunshine Metropolitan Activity Centre, and to land zoned Mixed Use Zone or Commercial 1 Zone in the St Albans Major Activity Centre. The Parking Overlay does not include any residentially zoned land.

It will not impact the provision of public car parking or existing public car parking spaces.

Public forms of car parking are instead managed by Council in the Sunshine and St Albans Activity Centres, with guidance from the following Car Parking Management Plans:


Contact us

Please contact Strategic Planning on 9249 4000 or by email StrategicPlanning@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Last updated: 14 December 2023 - 11:35am