What happens next?
After a planning application has been lodged the responsible authority, usually the council but in some cases the Minister for Planning, will assess the application. Notification of the planning application may involve a number of different people, including:
If you made your application online using SPEAR, all relevant documents are stored in the system and you can track the progress of your application online, and you will be sent notification if there is something you need to do.
The applicant: public notice
Most planning applications are advertised by council 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.
Notice of an application may occur by:
- letters mailed to the owners and occupiers of adjoining/nearby properties
- signs erected on the land subject to the application
- notices in local newspapers.
If you, as the applicant, wish to provide notice of your application, the council will tell you which of these notification methods is required, and will explain the procedures to be followed.
The notice will include:
- 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).
Read more about receiving notice of an application
The public: inspection of the application
After a planning application has been submitted it is considered a public document. Anyone can inspect it at the offices of the council or responsible authority, and they can request copies of plans from the council.
If someone believes they are affected by the proposal they can make written submissions to the council. For council office locations and contact details, see Find Your Local Council.
Read more about making a submission
Other authorities: planning referrals
The council may also refer your application to other statutory bodies for advice and comment. These referral authorities have 28 days to respond. They may impose conditions or object to an application.
Seeking the views of other interested parties is an essential part of the planning process and is important in achieving balanced and integrated decisions. Good practice ensures that these requirements are only imposed on applicants and referral authorities when they add value to the planning decision.
More information about referrals
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There are two types of referrals:
1. Kinds of applications which must be referred no matter which zone or overlay triggers the requirement for a planning permit (Clause 66.01 and 66.02).
2. Kinds of applications which are only triggered by a particular zone or overlay (Clause 66.03 and 66.04).
Check the planning scheme for referral requirements at Planning Schemes Online
- Find out if your application is exempt from a referral
- Get contact details for your referral at the Planning Referral Authority Directory in SPEAR.
- The section 55 Request for a referral form (DOC - 106 KB) is for use by responsible authorities and referral authorities.
- Referrals can be tracked online if your application has been lodged using SPEAR.
- Find out more about the referral process: