Insider’s guide to council approvals part 2 - DA process
During the first part of our council approvals blog series, we delved into the crucial steps that you must take before submitting your Development Application (DA). Now, in this second part of the series, we will be shedding light on some important aspects that you should be aware of during the DA process.
Overall, our aim for this blog series is to provide you with practical tips and insights that will help you successfully navigate the whole DA process, and move your development project forward with confidence and efficiency.
The development application (DA) process can be a daunting experience for many applicants, especially when faced with objections from neighbours and the community. However, it's important to understand that not all objections carry the same weight or significance in the DA assessment process. In this blog, we will explore different strategies to navigate objections and challenges during the DA process.
Planning Panel vs. Council Planner
If you have ten or more objections or your project is deemed "significant," you will need to go through a planning panel for assessment instead of a council planner. This might not be a bad thing as the panel is composed of planners, architects and community representatives who can take a more balanced view of the project instead of focusing on specific non-compliant items.
Irrelevant Objections
Most neighbour and community objections are not very impactful. Most objections lack relevance to the approval process as they do not reference any planning laws and therefore have little bearing on the outcome. This has been our experience; for example, many objections focus on construction work, such as "the construction work will impact the enjoyment of my backyard," which is generally not relevant to planning law or DA assessment. The council already has standard conditions for work hours and mitigating disturbance to the community that are issued with all approvals.
Formal Meetings and Requests
You can formally request a meeting with council, and if the assessing planner won't grant you a meeting, you can write to the Development Assessment Manager at council to request a meeting.
You can also write to the Development Assessment Manager, your local councillor, or even the mayor to raise the issue of a stalled DA or poor customer experience with council. Although they cannot help you get the DA approved, they can address performance issues with council staff, which is often one of the biggest factors in a stalled DA.
In conclusion, the DA process can be a frustrating experience, particularly when faced with multiple objections or a stalled DA. However, by understanding the role of a planning panel, the significance of objections, and the options available to raise concerns with council management, applicants can navigate the process more effectively. It is important to approach the process with a balanced perspective and engage in constructive dialogue with all parties involved to achieve the desired outcome.
Looking for further guidance? Our consultation services can help set you on the right path. If you require additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Read Part 1 here.
