Along with the recent changes to the planning zones, the State Government is also introducing further changes to the planning permit process in order to fast track simple and low impact planning permit applications through the statutory planning process.
It is proposed that under VicSmart, 12 types of basic permit applications will now qualify as VicSmart applications and include:
- Simple 2 lot subdivisions for boundary realignment or where development has been approved and construction has commenced and some lot subdivision where each lot contains an existing building completed within the last 5 years;
- Some fence applications;
- Buildings and works up to $50,000 within a Commercial, Industrial, Capital City or Docklands Zone;
- Some applications for removal or lopping of trees within Vegetation Protection Overlays;
- Some works applications in Heritage Overlays;
- Some buildings and works within a Special Building Overlay ;
- Small, non- illuminated advertising signs within non- residential zones and ;
- The reduction or waiver of carparking requirements.
As part of the VicSmart legislation the new Planning and Environment Amendment (Vic Smart Planning Assessment ) Act 2012 introduces a different procedure for a range of applications and in some cases removes the requirement for the involvement for referral authorities. VicSmart also introduces Clauses 90 – 95 within the Victorian Planning provisions listing the classes of applications that qualify, the information required by council and the decision guidelines for such applications.
VicSmart aims to streamline the planning process for a range of simple applications with key features designed to cut back the statutory time for assessing applications to 10 business days. The removal of the requirement to provide further information after lodgement will place the onus on the applicant to provide all details up front (with no stopping of the statutory clock at request for further information). In addition, VicSmart applications will only be assessed against pre- determined decision guidelines with the aim of removing the ‘discretionary’ issues often blamed for delaying applications.
Importantly, the final decision making authority for VicSmart applications will be removed from the elected members of Council and vested in the delegate planner or Council’s CEO.
Clause:1 welcomes this move to a more streamlined process for simple applications and remains hopeful that Council’s will take the 10 business day timeframe for processing VicSmart applications seriously.
For further information refer VicSmart Consultation Draft