Development Applications

When is a Development Application required?
An application should be lodged every time you wish to undertake development. Development is defined in the legislation and refers to a range of activities associated with building work, changes to land use, advertising signs, land divisions and community title divisions etc. It may be a small domestic structure or a larger commercial project, but an application is necessary either case.

Some forms of minor structures are exempt from requiring approval but these are the exception rather than the rule. Generally any structure that is within the prescribed setback distances, or more than 10 square metres in area, or over 2.5 metres in height, or has a span greater than 3 metres, or adjoins an existing building requires development approval.

The best way to find out if you require development approval is to check with one of Council's Development Assessment Officers.

How long will it take to get approval?
Approval for development applications generally takes up to eight weeks providing all the relevant information has been supplied with the application and the application does not need to be referred to any Government agencies or requires public notification. Applications that need to be referred to Government agencies or require public notification can take up to 4 to 6 months to approve.

Development Fees

Further information
The following information sheets can be used as a guide to what information is required when submitting an applications:

Development Application Form
 

Is your property located within a Bushfire Zone?   Click here to find out - Bushfire Zoning Map

As of February 2009, development within a Bushfire Risk Area should meet the requirements of the Minister's Code.  Development Applications within a Bushfire Risk Area should be accompanied with the information requirements listed in the Code. Click here to download the Minister's Code - Undertaking development in Bushfire Protection Areas to make sure you provide all the relevant information when submitting a Development Application.

Guides (click on the link below)
Provides information in relation to
- some forms of specific development e.g. industrial, agricultural etc
- Fences and the Law
- Strata and Community Title
- Trees and the Law