This is why we are proposing Planning Scheme Amendment C222dare.

The Planning Scheme Amendment C222dare is about protecting places of local heritage value in Darebin.

Planning Scheme Amendment C222dare proposes to implement the recommendations of the Places of Worship Heritage Assessment Volumes 1 and 2, which identifies seven (7) places of worship in Darebin that meet the threshold for local heritage significance.

The study recommends these locations be protected by a Heritage Overlay in the Darebin Planning Scheme. The Heritage Overlay is a planning control that ensures new development is sensitive to a place’s identified heritage significance. This does not mean development is prohibited, rather it allows consideration of potential heritage impacts through a planning permit process.

What is this engagement about?

Groups and community members who may be interested in this engagement are encouraged to learn more by exploring the documents and FAQs on this page and registering for the online information session.

Anyone who may be impacted by the amendment may wish to consider lodging a submission to the proposed planning scheme amendment. See how to make a submission below.

About Planning Scheme Amendment C222dare

On 27 May 2024, Council resolved to request authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare Planning Scheme Amendment C222dare, to apply the Heritage Overlay to the seven (7) places of worship on a permanent basis. See the minutes of the meeting.

Council received authorisation for the amendment on 8 January 2026 and it is now on formal exhibition until 30 April. During this time anyone can provide a written submission for Council to consider as we plan the next steps for Amendment C222dare.

The seven (7) places affected by the amendment can be viewed below.

The amendment documents, including the heritage study and individual place citations, can be viewed in the Document Library section on the right of this page or at the Department of Transport and Planning public exhibition page.

Please read the FAQs on the right of this page for more information on the proposed amendment.

The Places of Worship Heritage Assessment Volumes 1 and 2 found that the following places meet the threshold for individual local heritage significance:

• Former Croxton Methodist Church, 326-332 St George’s Road, Thornbury
• Thornbury Church of Christ, 390-398 St Georges Road, Thornbury
• Former Preston Church of Christ, 220 High Street, Preston
• Omar Bin El Khattam Mosque, 88-92 Cramer Street, Preston
• Former Northcote Congregational Church Complex, 16-18 Martin Street, Thornbury
• Holy Church of St George Greek Orthodox Complex (formerly Prince of Wales Park Methodist Church) 66 St David Street, Thornbury
• Reservoir Albanian Mosque, 111 Blake Street, Reservoir

Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing by one of the below methods no later than 11:59pm Thursday 30 April 2026.

Submissions must clearly state the grounds on which the proposed amendment is supported or opposed and indicate what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.

Name and contact details of submitters are required for Council to consider submissions and to notify such persons of the opportunity to attend council meetings and any independent planning panel hearing held to consider submissions. Please refer to statements on collection of personal information included with the submissions form.

If you have any questions about the proposed planning scheme amendment, you can contact Jack Montesano on 8470 8511 or email planningservices@darebin.vic.gov.au

If you would like to speak to someone in your preferred language about this Heritage Overlay Amendment, please let us know you require an interpreter.

Council will consider all submissions made by 30 April at a future Council Meeting. Submitters will receive prior notice of the meeting date.

After considering submissions, Council may decide to make changes to the amendment, abandon the amendment or refer submissions to an independent planning panel.

Please note that in accordance with s23(6) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 Council will not refer a submission to an independent planning panel where it is frivolous, vexatious or irrelevant to the amendment.

If no submissions are received, Council may adopt the amendment.