Victoria Police operate a helipad in Docklands to support emergency response to the Victorian community.
Victoria Police aims to protect the helicopter flight path towards the Victoria Police Centre Helicopter Landing Site (HLS) from future high-rise developments.
The HLS is located at 263-283 Spencer Street, Docklands.
About the flight path protection plan
Our flight path protection plan aims to prevent future developments obstructing our flight paths.
The plan will ensure that the function, capacity and effectiveness of police operations are not limited.
Our helicopter operations are an essential service for the community. They assist with:
- crime prevention and detection through regular patrols
- traffic surveillance of major traffic thoroughfares
- ground support
- search and rescue services
- fire duties and supporting Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)
- photographic tasks providing critical aerial photography for crime, traffic, planning and routine operations.
Statutory planning: Planning and Environment Act 1987
Statutory planning is the assessment of planning permit applications under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (P&E Act). These apply to:
- new development proposals
- changes to land use activities
- proposed land use or development of land.
Under Section 55 of the Act, Victoria Police are the recommending referral authority. Clause 66 of the planning scheme defines the recommending referral authority.
Planning controls: Specific Controls Overlay (SCO)
Under the Specific Controls Overlay (SCO), we have developed an incorporated document to the Melbourne Planning Scheme and Port Phillip Planning Scheme.
The document will prevent the impacts of development on the existing Victoria Police flight paths. They contain the height metrics in a Core Area and a Buffer Area.
Developer planning application process
Under Clause 45.12 SCO, developers must submit a proposal to get a planning permit if their proposed development:
- exceeds the referral height for the site
- will be within the Core Area or Buffer Area of the flight path.
Proposed developments refer to works such as:
- buildings
- exhaust plumes
- associated construction-related structures.
Submit your completed proposal to the relevant planning authority. They will then refer the proposal to Victoria Police for assessment.
You cannot submit your planning application proposal directly to Victoria Police.
If you have questions about the helipad flight path protection, refer to the pre-application advice page.
How we assess referred applications
The relevant planning authority's planning officer will assess your proposal, and refer the relevant ones to Victoria Police.
As the recommending referral authority, we will:
- consider each application on a case-by-case basis
- assess the potential for future developments to compromise the ongoing operation and safety of the designated flight path protection areas
- meet the PPN54 Managing referrals and notice requirements guidelines.
After we assess the application, we will provide a report back to the relevant planning authority. They will then contact you to advise the next steps.
Time-frames for assessment
We will review your proposal promptly in accordance with the Planning and Environment Regulations (2015).
Contact us
For advice on your pre-development proposal, see our pre-application advice page.
For questions about our flight path protection plan, email us at VPC-FLIGHTPATHPROTECTION-OIC@police.vic.gov.au.
We do not accept planning applications directly.
Updated