State Planning Minister Justin Madden has appointed a priority development panel to review plans for "Ballarat Resort".

The proposed development is a reworking of the $850 million Lake Federation resort, which received planning approval from the State Government in April 2005.

Farm land between Cuthberts Rd and the railway line was re-zoned from "rural" to a comprehensive development zone.

That plan collapsed after a split between financier Thorney Properties and the developer.

The new plan is backed by TIGA Investments, which is owned by Thorney Properties.

Councillors will not be required to make any decision on the development at their meeting tonight.

The council's decision-making role and the extent of community input into the process will be determined by the panel, which is due to report to the minister in mid-March.

A report to be presented to the council tonight details the new plan, and recommends that councillors authorise planning officers to represent the council at workshops on the development run by the panel.

The development would include 3200 dwellings, which would house about 8000 people, a population slightly larger than towns such as Maryborough, Castlemaine or Ararat.

A lakes system at the centre of the previous plan has been replaced with recreational facilities.

A golf course, ice skating rink, obstacle course, sporting ovals, aquatic centre, hotel and motel are included in the plans.

While described as a self-contained resort by developers, current plans allow for up to 90 per cent of the residents to be permanent.

The report said at present there was nothing to stop the proposal from being developed as a normal residential development.

"This would clearly be at odds with Council's current strategic directions regarding the future growth of Ballarat," the report said.