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ArrayVictorian Stormwater Quality Offsets Guidance
29/05/2025
In Victoria, councils can set up stormwater quality offset schemes to help developers to comply with their stormwater quality requirements under Victorian planning rules. When stormwater cannot be fully managed on-site, developers can opt to pay a fee to council to manage stormwater quality impacts offiste. Councils use these funds to build larger treatment assets within the municipality, such as constructed wetlands. This approach provides flexibility for developers and can have additional environmental and public benefits such as reducing flood risk, supporting maintaining public open spaces, and improving water security through stormwater harvesting opportunities.
To support councils in setting up and managing these offset schemes, DEECA has developed the Stormwater Offsets Guidance 2025. This guidance helps councils ensure compliance with legal frameworks like the Environment Protection Act 2017, General Environmental Duty (GED), and Planning and Environment Act 1987 while optimizing stormwater management solutions.
For detailed guidance on establishing and operating a council stormwater quality offset scheme, refer to the Stormwater Offsets Guidance 2025 via the link on this page.
