Preparing an effective submission

There are a number of things you can do to ensure your submission to a planning application is as effective as possible.

On this page:

Step 1: Inspect the plans

Carefully inspect the plans and the reports provided with the application. See if your property or building is shown on any of them and make a note of your concerns and questions.

Step 2: Discuss the proposal

Discuss the proposal with the council planner and the permit applicant so you understand what’s proposed and how you might be affected. Ask the council planner to explain why a permit is required and what the application is for. Ask them to identify the changes or impact the proposal will have on your property.

Discuss the permit conditions with the council planner, as appropriate conditions may address or reduce some of your concerns about the proposal. The conditions are very important, particularly if the council planner tells you they intend to recommend that the application be approved.

Step 3: Visit the site

Get a copy of the plans and visit the site so you can assess the effects of the proposal.

Step 4: Prepare your submission

In your submission, describe how you will be affected if a permit is granted and suggest how these impacts could be reduced (or even eliminated) by possible changes to the plans or the inclusion of specific permit conditions. Most permit applicants will try to address reasonable concerns.

Your submission will carry more weight if it is rational, specifically addresses the proposal and describes how you will be affected.

Most councils have a standard submission form that you can fill out, but it is not essential that you use it.

Your submission must:

  • be typed or clearly written

  • be addressed to the council and, if objecting to the proposal, be clearly marked as an objection

  • include the permit application reference number and the address of the land, so the submission can be attached to the correct application file

  • include your name and current contact details. This allows council to keep you advised of any meetings between the applicant and other submitters, or of any changes to the plans or the proposal that the permit applicant makes

  • include your signature and date of your submission

  • be lodged within the 14-day notice period.

Keep a copy of your submission for future reference.

If you lodge a submission you secure the right to apply for a review to VCAT, if council decides to grant a permit.

A submission is a public document and copies may be made available to other parties including the permit applicant, councillors and VCAT.

Step 5: Follow up

At the assessment stage of the process, find out from the council planner what their recommendation is and how the decision will be made. Make sure you know what’s going on at this final stage of the application process. If the application is to be decided by council, you might want to make a short presentation at the council meeting to explain your submission. From the council planner, find out whether this is possible and what the requirements are for you to speak at the council meeting. Focus on the impact of the proposal and explain why the application should be refused or modified.

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