The DCP came into effect when the approval of Amendment C241whse, that introduced the DCP into the Whitehorse Planning Scheme was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 21 December 2023.

Refer to Clause 4.0 of Schedule 1 to the Development Contributions Plan Overlay (DCPO1) for a full list of development types that are exempt from the levy.

If you are demolishing your existing dwelling and replacing it with a single dwelling, you are not required to pay a levy.

If you demolish a single dwelling and are constructing more than one new dwelling, a DCP levy will be payable on the additional dwelling/s. 

If you are constructing dwellings that replace previously demolished dwellings and the lot is vacant as at 21 December 2023 (the date the amendment was introduced), you are not required to pay the levy. If the lot remains vacant for more than two years after 21 December 2023, a levy must be paid.

This exemption for vacant lots applies if the number of dwellings to be constructed is equal to the number of dwellings that were demolished before 21 December 2023. The levy will apply to any additional dwellings constructed on the lot. 

If you have any questions, please contact the City Planning and Development Department or the DCP Officer via customer.service@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or via phone on 03 9262 6303.

The levies apply to all planning and building permit applications from 21 December 2023 (the date Amendment C241whse was introduced into the Whitehorse Planning Scheme).

An additional levy may be required if there are significant changes to your proposal (e.g., increase in the number of dwellings or increase in the floor area of a retail/commercial/industrial proposal).

If you have any questions, please contact the City Planning and Development Department or the DCP Officer via customer.service@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or via phone on 03 9262 6303.

The DCP levy may apply to a change of use where development increases the DCP demand units. 

For clarification, please contact the City Planning and Development Department or the DCP Officer via customer.service@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9262 6303.

Schedule 1 to the Development Contributions Plan Overlay (DCPO1) specifies the timeframes for payment of the levy:

• Where the planning permit provides for subdivision of the land the Development Infrastructure Levy must be paid not more than 21 days* prior to the issue of a Statement of Compliance for the approved subdivision or any stage of that subdivision, or
• Where the planning permit does not provide for the subdivision of the land the Development Infrastructure Levy must be paid not more than 21 days* prior to the issue of a building permit under the Building Act 1993, or
• Where no planning permit is required, the Development Infrastructure Levy must be paid prior to issue of a building permit under the Building Act, 1993.
• Payment of the Community Infrastructure Levy is to be made prior to a building permit being issued under the Building Act, 1993.

The DCP calculator can be used to provide a levy estimate.

Please note that:

• The levies are indexed and adjusted annually.
• The calculator is an estimate only.
• A formal request for a DCP invoice (within the timeframe specified above and when ready to pay) will confirm the final levy amount.

If you have any queries, please contact the City Planning and Development Department or the DCP Officer via customer.service@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9262 6303.

1. Request a DCP invoice via the 'Request a DCP Invoice' button on the right hand menu of this webpage. The request will be assessed and an invoice will be sent to you.
2. Payment options will be listed on the invoice, including payment via council's payment portal and in person at Whitehorse Council Service Centres.

A Development Contributions Plan (DCP) allows Council to collect contributions from new developments to support the delivery of infrastructure for a growing community. The contribution may be payments, land or in-kind works.

The need to investigate a development contributions mechanism for the City of Whitehorse was identified some time ago. Significant development has been occurring in the municipality, particularly in Box Hill. Council can obtain development contributions from future development to help fund the provision of necessary infrastructure generated by the growth.

As a first stage, Council prepared the Whitehorse Infrastructure and Development Contributions Framework (Framework) ( PDF 8.31MB). The Framework considered the demand for infrastructure across the municipality and how Council can use infrastructure funding and delivery mechanisms to meet the growing infrastructure needs over time.

On 20 September 2021, Council resolved to endorse the Framework ( PDF 8.31MB) as the basis for the second stage of the project, which involved the preparation of a municipal-wide Development Contributions Plan.

A municipal wide Whitehorse Development Contributions Plan was subsequently prepared, along with associated planning scheme amendment documents to implement the DCP into the Whitehorse Planning Scheme. Council endorsed the draft Whitehorse DCP and the amendment documents on 22 August 2022, and sought authorisation from the Minister for Planning (the Minister) to exhibit Amendment C241whse.

Information on exhibition and the Panel Hearing process can be viewed on the Amendment C241whse webpage.

On 10 July 2023, Council adopted the revised Whitehorse DCP and Amendment C241whse and submitted the amendment to the Minister for approval. Amendment C241whse was approved by the Minister. The approval of the Amendment was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 21 December 2023 and is effective from this date.