Development Application Assessment Process

Some development applications are required to be publicly notified or advertised. This allows interested people to see the details of your application and make comments within a specified time frame.

Council will consider any public submissions when making their assessment.

Please note: Not all development applications are subject to 'on public exhibition', only those applications identified by Councils Community Participation Plan as requiring notification, are publicly exhibited here. 

Applicants and their consultants should assume that documents lodged in support of a development application will be published during Council's public notification process. Documents should therefore be prepared on the basis that they may be viewed and released to the public.

If information is included that is not necessary for the assessment of the application and is not intended for public release, it should be removed or redacted prior to lodgement. Council will not routinely edit or redact documents submitted by applicants or their consultants before exhibition.

Council may, at its discretion, withhold or redact documents where required by legislation or where publication is considered inappropriate having regard to privacy, security or other public interest considerations.

Your application will be assigned to a planner or building surveyor who will review your proposal's impacts and conduct a site inspection.

They will evaluate your proposal’s compliance with development controls, statutory requirements and any relevant objections.

After this, a development assessment report will be completed along with a recommendation.

• Further Information

If during the assessment of your application additional information is required you will receive a request via the Planning Portal.

Development applications are assessed based on the proposal submitted at lodgement.

Applicants should ensure the development proposal, plans and supporting documentation are substantially complete prior to lodgement. Significant amendments during the assessment process can result in delays, additional assessment requirements and, in some cases, the need for further public notification.

Where an applicant seeks to substantially amend a proposal following lodgement, including:

• changing the proposed land use;
• significantly increasing the scale or intensity of development;
• substantially altering the design, layout or operation of the proposal;
• introducing new development components not included in the original application; or
• making changes that would reasonably require further assessment, referral or public notification,

Council may recommend that the application be withdrawn and a new application lodged.

As a general principle, Council will not support amendments that result in a change to the proposed land use after an application has been lodged. In these circumstances, applicants will generally be requested to withdraw the application and lodge a new application.

This approach ensures that development applications are assessed on their merits, supported by appropriate documentation and, where required, subject to the appropriate notification, consultation and referral processes.

Where significant deficiencies are identified, substantial redesign is required, or an approval outcome is unlikely, Council may encourage an applicant to withdraw the application.

Where an application is withdrawn, a partial refund of fees may be considered in accordance with Council's adopted Fees and Charges, having regard to the assessment work undertaken to that point.