FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What stage is my application at?

To check the progress of your application you will need to contact the Statutory Planning unit. Please have your acknowledgement letter with you when calling as this will make the process much faster. Your acknowledgement letter will include a contact phone number, the name of the Planning officer dealing with your application, and the reference number (eg. PLP/2006/999). Alternatively, if you have not received an acknowledgement letter please phone 03 5320 5640 and state the address of the property in question.

What is the process after my application has been acknowledged?

The application is:

• Given to a planning officer to access the application
• The officer may or may not require further information
  (eg. if you have not brought in all information to access the file a letter will be sent out with what you will need to bring in)
• The application may or may not be referred to the responsible authorities (eg. if a property is in a heritage overlay then it will be referred to our Heritage Adviser for comments on the proposal)
• Your application may be advertised either on-site, to adjoining landowners or in The Courier (and possibly all of the above)
• The applicant and objectors might be sent a NOD (eg. A decision has been made to grant a permit (PERMIT HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED) but the objector(s) have the chance to appeal the conditions of the permit to VCAT)
• After these steps are taken the officer/VCAT will make a final decision to grant or refuse the permit conditions
• The permit will then be sent to the applicant who is required to meet the condition

How long is the approval process?

8-12 weeks depending on the application.

How to object to a planning application?

An application can be viewed by the public at the Phoenix Building. An objection form is available from Council or you can provided a written letter stating your objection to the application (application number must be provided). Objections will be placed on the planning permit application file which is available to the public. If the application is determined by a Councillor vote, your objection will be placed in the public agenda and located on the Ballarat City Council webpage. Public agendas are located on the Council's website for two years. If there is a reason why you require anonymity please state this in your objection.

What is certification?

An applicant applies for certification by paying a fee and handing in a formal plan of subdivision to Council. The plan is then referred to the responsible authorities which check if it meets their conditions and if the infrastructure identified is where it needs to be. When the plan has been given the okay for certification it is approved by Council and sent back to the applicant for lodging at the Titles Office.

What is SOC?

Statement of Compliance (SOC) is issued when all conditions on the planning permit have been satisfied. Again, when approved by Council, it is sent back to the applicant for lodging at the Titles Office.