Earlier this year Clause:1 presented a seminar to the BDAV entitled ‘Getting Faster Planning Approvals’. It appears a developer working in the City of Brimbank has fashioned a sure-fire means of getting their planning permits issued with unprecedented efficiency.
Forget the State Government’s multi-million dollar SPEAR system, forget engaging the services of a planning consultant to provide advice or even ensuring all relevant information is provided and the application professionally managed throughout the process. All you need to do is write the permit and print it yourself.
Yep. The developer in question appears to have forged a planning permit for the development of three dwellings, had a building permit issued by a building surveyor on the strength of that document and commenced construction.
Despite Council’s numerous requests to cease works, by the time an interim enforcement order was issued by the Tribunal, the dwellings were nearly complete. One of which has reportedly been sold.
The developer will now be required to apply retrospectively for the planning permit. The two outcomes at the extreme ends of possibilities are: 1. the permit issues and the dwellings remain (in which case the developer may have saved themselves months of planning delays). 2. The buildings are required to be demolished (in which case the developer and unsuspecting purchaser take a big hit).
For those of you contemplating rushing to draft your own approvals – you should also consider the fact that Brimbank City Council has reported the forgery to the Victorian Police for investigation.
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Last updated 041110