Use this article to find the Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) layer for Victoria on the Landchecker map and turn it on for a property. You'll also learn how to view the Future Land Use categories, adjust the layer's opacity and pin categories to your Favourites so they're quicker to turn on next time.
If you're looking for a PSP map, a future land use plan or a growth area plan for a property in Victoria, the Precinct Structure Plan layer is where to find it. This article is for property developers, real estate agents, valuers, conveyancers, investors, architects and town planners researching properties in Victoria.
Plan access: the Precinct Structure Plan layer is available on paid Landchecker plans.
What does the Precinct Structure Plan layer show?
The Precinct Structure Plan layer shows the planned future land use for areas of Victoria covered by a Precinct Structure Plan (PSP). A PSP is a Victorian planning document that sets out how a new or growing area will be developed, including where housing, town centres, schools, open space and conservation areas will go. Turning on the Precinct Structure Plan layer helps you see what's planned around a property before you buy, sell, value or develop.
The Precinct Structure Plan layer has two parts:
Future Land Use – colour-coded areas showing the planned use of the land, such as Residential, Commercial or Regional Open Space.
Urban Growth – areas identified for urban growth.
The Precinct Structure Plan layer is only available for properties in Victoria. It only shows data for areas covered by a PSP, so you may not see anything drawn around a property outside a PSP area.
How do I turn on the Precinct Structure Plan layer?
To turn on the Precinct Structure Plan layer, open the Map Layers panel on any property in Victoria.
Log in to Landchecker.
Search for a property in Victoria using the search bar at the top of the page.
Click the Map Layers icon in the toolbar on the left side of the map. The Map Layers panel opens.
Under Planning, find Precinct Structure Plan and click the arrow beside it to open the dropdown. You'll see Future Land Use and Urban Growth.
Tick the checkbox beside Precinct Structure Plan to turn on Future Land Use and Urban Growth at the same time.
The Precinct Structure Plan layer appears on the map over the property and the surrounding area. To turn the Precinct Structure Plan layer off, untick the same checkbox.
Tip: you can also type 'precinct' into the Search layers... box at the top of the Map Layers panel to find the Precinct Structure Plan layer without opening the Planning category.
What are the Future Land Use categories in the Precinct Structure Plan?
The Future Land Use categories show how each area within a Precinct Structure Plan is planned to be used. To see them, open the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown in the Map Layers panel and click the arrow beside Future Land Use. Each category has its own colour, so you can match the areas on the map to the list.
The Precinct Structure Plan layer includes the following 15 Future Land Use categories:
Commercial
Community Facilities
Conservation
Drainage
Education
Heritage
Industrial
Local Open Space
Mixed Use
Other
Rail
Regional Open Space
Residential
Town Centre
Utility Easement/Corridor
Urban Growth sits below Future Land Use in the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown. It turns on together with Future Land Use when you tick Precinct Structure Plan.
How do I adjust the opacity of the Precinct Structure Plan layer?
You can adjust the opacity of the Precinct Structure Plan layer to make it more or less see-through, so you can see the aerial imagery underneath.
In the Map Layers panel, open the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown.
Drag the Opacity slider below Precinct Structure Plan to the left to make the layer more transparent, or to the right to make it more solid.
The percentage beside the slider shows the current opacity of the Precinct Structure Plan layer.
Good to know: the Opacity slider applies to the whole Precinct Structure Plan layer. You can't set a different opacity for individual Future Land Use categories or for Urban Growth.
How do I add Precinct Structure Plan layers to my Favourites?
You can star individual Future Land Use categories and Urban Growth to pin them to your Favourites in the Map Layers panel. This makes them quicker to turn on the next time you log in.
In the Map Layers panel, open the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown and expand Future Land Use.
Click the star icon beside the Future Land Use category you want to pin, such as Commercial. To pin Urban Growth, click the star beside Urban Growth.
The star turns yellow and the layer appears under Favourites at the top of the Map Layers panel. To turn on a favourite the next time you log in, click it under Favourites. You don't need to open the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown first.
Good to know: your Favourites stay pinned to the Map Layers panel each time you log back in.
How can the Precinct Structure Plan layer help with my work?
The Precinct Structure Plan layer shows what's planned for an area of Victoria right on the map, over the property you're researching. Instead of tracking down a PSP document and matching its maps to an address, you can see future land use alongside the property's planning zones, planning overlays, hazards and planning permits in one place in Landchecker.
Here's how different property professionals can use the Precinct Structure Plan layer.
Property developers
Use the Precinct Structure Plan layer to check whether the future land use around a site supports what you want to build, such as Residential or Mixed Use. You can also spot areas set aside for Conservation, Drainage or a Utility Easement/Corridor early, before you commit time and money to a site. Seeing a planned Town Centre, Education site or Regional Open Space nearby helps you understand future demand for the dwellings you deliver.
Real estate agents
Buyers in Victoria's growth areas often ask what's being built nearby. Turn on the Precinct Structure Plan layer before an appraisal or open home so you can point to planned schools, town centres and open space around a listing. Pin the categories you check most, such as Education or Town Centre, to your Favourites so they're one click away.
Valuers
Planned land use around a subject property can influence its future appeal and value. Use the Precinct Structure Plan layer to note whether a property sits near a planned Town Centre, Rail corridor or Regional Open Space, or next to land set aside for Industrial or Utility Easement/Corridor uses. Use it alongside your comparable sales evidence when you document your assessment.
Conveyancers and legal professionals
The Precinct Structure Plan layer gives you early visual context on what's planned around a property in Victoria before your client exchanges contracts. If a property sits within or next to land marked for Drainage, Conservation or a Utility Easement/Corridor, you can raise it with your client early. Use the layer alongside the PSP document and property certificates, not in place of them.
Investors
Precinct Structure Plans show where new housing, transport, schools and town centres are planned in Victoria's growth areas. Use the Precinct Structure Plan layer to see how an area is expected to develop before you buy, and compare the planned land use around properties you're considering.
Architects and town planners
Use the Precinct Structure Plan layer to understand the planned context you're designing in, such as nearby Local Open Space, Community Facilities or a future Town Centre. Adjust the layer's opacity to read the Future Land Use areas against the aerial imagery and existing street pattern.
Common questions
Which properties can I see the Precinct Structure Plan layer on?
The Precinct Structure Plan layer is available for properties in Victoria. It only shows data for areas covered by a Precinct Structure Plan (PSP).
Which Landchecker plans include the Precinct Structure Plan layer?
The Precinct Structure Plan layer is available on paid Landchecker plans only. It isn't included on free plans. If you're on a free plan and want to view Precinct Structure Plans for properties in Victoria, upgrade to a paid plan.
Why can't I see anything on the map after turning on the Precinct Structure Plan layer?
If nothing appears after you tick Precinct Structure Plan, the property may be outside an area covered by a Precinct Structure Plan. PSPs cover selected areas of Victoria, so not every property has Future Land Use or Urban Growth data around it. Try zooming out on the map to see whether a PSP area is nearby.
Where do I find the Precinct Structure Plan in Landchecker?
To find the Precinct Structure Plan in Landchecker, search for a property in Victoria, click the Map Layers icon on the left side of the map, then open Planning. Precinct Structure Plan is listed under Planning.
How do I turn on Future Land Use and Urban Growth together?
To turn on Future Land Use and Urban Growth together, tick the checkbox beside Precinct Structure Plan in the Map Layers panel. This turns on both parts of the Precinct Structure Plan layer at once.
How do I see all the Future Land Use categories?
To see all 15 Future Land Use categories, open the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown in the Map Layers panel and click the arrow beside Future Land Use.
Can I change the opacity of a single Future Land Use category?
You can't change the opacity of a single Future Land Use category. The Opacity slider adjusts the whole Precinct Structure Plan layer, including all Future Land Use categories and Urban Growth.
How do I pin a Future Land Use category so it's quicker to turn on?
To pin a Future Land Use category, click the star beside it in the Precinct Structure Plan dropdown. The category is added to your Favourites at the top of the Map Layers panel. You can pin Urban Growth the same way.
If you have questions or need help, use the live chat in Landchecker and our team will be happy to help.