1. Application is Accepted and Allocated to a Planning Officer
Upon receipt of a development application, the Town's Urban Planning team will check whether all the necessary forms, plans and supporting information for your application have been submitted. Within 7 days of the application being lodged, the Town will advise by email whether the application has been accepted and advise of the Planning Officer who will be assessing the application or alternatively, specify the additional information required. Further information about accepting a development application can be viewed at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage's website.
2. Referrals
The application will firstly be referred to internal departments such as Engineering, Parks, Building and Environmental Health and may be referred to other government agencies and/or other relevant third parties for comments and advice. Conditions resulting from the referral process may be included in a planning approval.
3. Preliminary Assessment
After any internal or external referrals, the Planning Officer dealing with the application will undertake a preliminary assessment the proposed development against the local and/or state planning framework. The applicant will be contacted by email if further information is requested.
4. Community Consultation (if applicable)
In many instances, it will be necessary to advertise the application for public comment, in accordance with the requirements of the local planning scheme. Community consultation can take the form of written notice being served on surrounding owners and occupiers of land, newspaper advertising and/or a sign being placed on site. A submission period of not less than 14 days is required, during which time written submissions on the proposal will be accepted by the Town. Any written submissions received will be considered as part of the assessment process along with the application.
5. Final Assessment and Decision Notice Prepared
Following community consultation, the Planning Officer will finalise their assessment and prepare a determination for the application, which will either be an approval, with or without conditions, or a refusal with reasons, that will be checked by a Senior Officer or the Coordinator.
6. Council Decision (if applicable)
If the Town’s Urban Planning team do not have the required delegation to determine the application then the application will be referred to an Ordinary Council Meeting for determination. This will require a report to be written to Council by the Planning Officer with a recommendation for the application. The Council will either resolve to approve with or without conditions, refuse with reasons or defer the application to another meeting if further information is required.
7. Decision Sent
Once the application has been determined, the decision notice and associated development plans will be sent to the applicant by email.