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Before you lodge your planning application, it is important to do your research and get some feedback on your proposal.
Council offers a Pre-application advice service to customers who feel they would like some advice from the Planning Services team on a proposed use or development prior to lodging a full Planning Permit Application.
It is recommended that multi-unit development, apartments and change of use applications undergo Pre-application assessment by the Planning Services team prior to lodgement.
All Pre-application advice requests are to be made through Council’s Online Services portal. You will need to be registered to use the service. Registrations take up to 24 hours to process. Once registered you can submit Pre-application advice requests online.
Register for Online Services
Request Pre-application advice
All plans and supporting documents must be uploaded at the time of lodgement online and payment of the $250 request fee must also be made via credit card. Following lodgement, you will receive a confirmation email that Council has received your request.
Pre-application advice does not guarantee that a permit will be issued.
However, Pre-application advice will:
A team of planners will look at your request and determine if there are any problems with your proposal and if your application complies with the Knox Planning Scheme.
A Planning Officer will then either email you written advice or arrange a meeting with you if necessary, to advise whether the unit development is appropriate. This will usually occur within 2 weeks of receiving the request.
You may wish to talk to your neighbours before finalising your plans. If they are unhappy with an aspect of your proposal, you may be able to reach a compromise before lodging your planning application.
Being up-front from the start will reduce the potential for objections or conflict later on. If there are no objections to what you are proposing, it is likely that Council will take less time to process your application.
Weigh up the feedback received from Council and your neighbours. Review your plans and incorporate any suggested changes that you think are reasonable.
Finalise your plans and any written material, including your neighbourhood and site description and design response. Read through our application checklist to make sure you have everything you need to lodge your application.
If you have questions, you can contact us on 9298 8125 or alternatively, you can lodge a request below and a staff member will get back to you.
Contact Planning Services