A CENTRAL Victoria planning permit was refused by the state planning arbitrator last week.
It was the first test of the State Government's new water catchment area development guidelines.
The Government released new guidelines for building in potable water catchment areas in November last year, promising "a more practical and sensible approach".
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week rejected an application to construct a house on 16ha in Macedon Ranges Shire, saying the main reason was the house would exceed the state's one dwelling to 40ha ratio as set out in the Government's guidelines.
