It might only be September, but it appears the Christmas Grinch has already arrived for planning permit applicants.
Regular permit applicants will be familiar with the Christmas/New Year advertising “blackout” periods imposed by some Councils across Victoria each year. The imposed dates and restrictions vary considerably between Councils and, as we have discussed previously, can result in significant inconsistency, confusion and processing delays.
We have already received advice that one council’s last advertising signs will be erected on Friday 27 November 2026.
However, the more significant date for applicants is much earlier.
This council has advised that where further information has been requested, that information must be submitted and complete by Monday 2 November 2026 to allow sufficient time for any required advertising to be prepared.
Any further information received after 2 November will not be advertised until after the Christmas break, commencing Tuesday 5 January 2027.
In practical terms, this means that for some permit applicants the Christmas advertising shutdown effectively begins on 2 November – more than seven weeks before Christmas Day.
An applicant who responds to a Request for Further Information shortly after that date could potentially wait two months before their application even commences advertising.
We appreciate that the Christmas/New Year period presents practical difficulties for public notification. Residents may be away, Council staffing levels may be reduced, and it is reasonable to ensure affected parties have an appropriate opportunity to review and respond to a proposal.
Clause 1 annually raises concerns regarding extended advertising periods and the significant cumulative delays they can introduce into Victoria’s planning system.
With ongoing State Government reforms aimed at making planning decisions faster and improving the efficiency of Victoria’s planning system, increasingly lengthy Christmas advertising blackouts are difficult to reconcile with those objectives.
We encourage Councils that are yet to publish their blackout Christmas policies to carefully consider the impact on applicants.
For applicants with applications currently before Council, the message is clear.
If you have an outstanding Request for Further Information, amended plans or third-party consultant reports required before your application can proceed to advertising, now is the time to get them completed.
Otherwise, the Christmas Grinch may steal a little more than Christmas.
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