Building in Greater Dandenong

Your Melbourne south-east council approval guide

B.Arch.Studies · M.Arch (UniSA) · RLA300580 · Reviewed 25 June 2026

Overview

Greater Dandenong City Council covers Melbourne's south-east, Dandenong, Springvale, Noble Park, Keysborough, Dandenong North and Springvale South. It is an established, rebuild and dual-occupancy market on generally generous lots, anchored by the Dandenong metropolitan activity centre and its long-running Revitalising Central Dandenong urban-renewal program.

Suburbs covered

DandenongSpringvaleNoble ParkKeysboroughDandenong NorthSpringvale SouthBangholme

Building in these suburbs

Keysborough Noble Park Springvale

Local considerations

Dandenong activity centre

The Dandenong metropolitan activity centre carries built-form, height and urban-design controls; apartment and mixed-use projects face discretionary assessment.

Rebuild + dual-occ lots

Noble Park, Springvale and Keysborough have generous established lots suited to knockdown rebuilds and dual occupancies under Clause 55 and the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code.

Industrial interface + flooding

Some parcels sit near industrial zones or low-lying land toward the Dandenong Creek; check VicPlan for inundation overlays and interface buffers.

Building Permit Process (Victoria)

Victoria separates planning permits (about land use, from your council) and building permits (about construction methods, from a Relevant Building Surveyor). You usually need the planning permit FIRST, then the building permit.

Check zoning + overlays
Use VicPlan (planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au) or your council's interactive map to identify the zone, any heritage overlay, character area, environmental overlay or growth area zone that applies to your block.
Planning permit (if required)
If your project needs a planning permit (most heritage / character-area / larger developments do), lodge with your council. VicSmart is a fast-tracked pathway available for some minor applications.
Appoint a Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS)
The RBS must be appointed by the OWNER (not the builder). Choose either a municipal or private building surveyor. This is a legal requirement in VIC.
Building Permit Number (BPN) via BAMS
Your RBS applies for a 13-digit BPN through the Building Activity Management System (BAMS). Since 26 November 2025 a new formula for the Calculated Cost of Works (CoW) applies. New BAMS reporting fields (including mandatory architect status) took effect 20 March 2026.
Building Permit Levy
Required for works costing over $10,000. Rate: 0.00064 general levy + 0.00064 DBDRV levy of the CoW. Pay via the BPC secure portal (BPAY or card). Your RBS cannot issue the permit until the BPN is received.
Construction, inspections + occupancy
Build proceeds under RBS inspection at prescribed stages. On completion, the RBS issues an Occupancy Permit (or Certificate of Final Inspection for extensions).

State Building Fees (VIC 2026-27)

These are STATE fees, identical across every Melbourne council. Your council may charge additional planning-permit application fees on top, see per-council notes below.

Building Permit Levy, general0.00064 × CoW (works > $10,000)

Building Permit Levy, DBDRV0.00064 × CoW (works > $10,000)

Metropolitan Planning Levy (larger dev only)$1,344,000 threshold (2026-27); pay to SRO

Owner-builder Certificate of Consent (works > $16,000)BPC application; approx. 45 business days processing

Typical Timelines (Melbourne average)

Straightforward planning permit (VicSmart)10 to 30 business days

Standard planning permit (no objections)60 to 90 days

Complex / heritage / notified planning permit3 to 8 months

Building permit (once planning approved)2 to 4 weeks

Owner-builder Certificate of Consent~45 business days

Frequently asked questions

What kind of building market is Greater Dandenong?

Established and rebuild-driven. Noble Park, Springvale and Keysborough suit knockdown rebuilds and dual occupancies on generous lots, while the Dandenong activity centre supports apartments and mixed-use. Check overlays and interface buffers on VicPlan before you design.

Can I build a dual occupancy in Keysborough or Noble Park?

Often yes, these suburbs have lots that suit it. Two or more dwellings need a planning permit under Clause 55 and the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code, with the garden area rule on lots 400sqm and over. Confirm your block with Greater Dandenong City Council.

What locals know about Greater Dandenong City Council

Famous for

Three or four units on a 700m² block. Some of the highest unit-development density in Melbourne, and a council that processes it fast.

Every council's quirk

Statewide rules people blame on council

•New residential gas connections banned from 2024. Replacements on existing gas are still allowed.
•Pools and spas must be registered with council and certified every 4 years.
•Sheds, carports and verandahs over 10m² generally need a building permit; some also need a planning permit depending on the zone and overlays.