Receiving notice of an application
If you occupy or own a property neighbouring land where a planning application has been lodged, you should get a formal notice about the application, even if the permit applicant has discussed the proposal with you before the application was lodged.
On this page:
How are planning applications advertised?
Most planning applications are advertised unless the council is satisfied that granting a permit will not cause material detriment to any person, or the planning scheme says advertising is not required. Written notice about the application may be sent to neighbours and a sign may also be displayed on the land.
Through this process, neighbours are informed about a proposal and invited to inspect the plans. If you do not receive a formal notice you can still make a submission, but council’s planning department must receive it before council makes a decision about the application.
Arrangements for giving notice about applications are determined by council in accordance with Section 52 of the Planning and Environment Act – check with your local council for what process applies to your application:
- some require letters to be sent to owners and occupiers by registered post
- others provide a mail-out service for permit applicants
- some require signs on the site as well as letters to neighbours.
The notice will tell you:
- the address of the land that is subject to the application
- the permit applicant’s name
- council’s reference number for the application
- the nature of the permit sought
- where the application and plans can be inspected
- the address for lodging your objection
- the date by which objections should be lodged (at least 14 days after the date the last notice was given).
How to have your say
Council cannot make a decision on the application until after the date specified in the notice.
If you have a planning-related issue with the application, you can lodge an objection with council during the 14-day notice period. However, you can still make a submission up to the time council makes its decision on the application.
If you support the proposal, you do not have to take any action, although you can make a submission in support.
If you negotiated changes to the plans with the permit applicant before the application was lodged, you should inspect the plans submitted with the application to make sure they include these changes.
Read more about how to make a submission