Lodging a development application
Step 1: Pre-lodgement
A development application is a formal request for consent to carry out proposed development. Development approval may be required for a change of land use, construction of buildings, erection of signage or demolition. For further information on which types of proposals require a development approval, refer to the development application fact sheet or contact the Shire on (08) 9622 6100 to speak to the planning team.
Prior to lodging a development application applicants are encouraged to meet with a planning officer to discuss their proposal. Planning officers can assist with advice on what information is required and explain the assessment process.
Step 2: Lodgement
You are able to lodge your application in hard copy form or by email to [email protected].
When lodging an application, please review, fill out and submit the following relevant following forms and checklists. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. The application fee must be paid at the time of lodgement.
Application for Development Approval
Development Application Fees
Check Lists are now available for the most popular development application. Please fill out and submit with your development application. This will help with ensuring all correct information is provided.
Checklist - New Development
Checklist - Change of Use
Checklist - Home Business
Checklist - Short Stay Accommodation
Step 3: Consultation – internal and external
Public consultation may be undertaken in accordance with the Shire’s Local Planning Policy No. 20 - Advertising of Planning Proposals. The application may also be referred to external bodies such as the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Main Roads and the Heritage Office for comment.
Representatives of the Shire's building, environmental health, field services (rangers), infrastructure services, parks services and community development may be requested to consider the proposal and assess if it meets with the Shire's requirements and may suggest changes and/or approval conditions and/or advisory notes.
Step 4: Assessment
Development applications will be assessed by a planning officer under the provisions of the Shire's Local Planning Scheme No. 6, related local planning policies and the Residential Design Codes (where applicable). For more information refer to the Town Planning Controls and Policies page.
The period taken to assess individual applications can vary depending on whether or not the application complies with the requirements of Local Planning Scheme No. 6 and relevant policies which can, in turn, determine if an application can be dealt with under delegated authority or is required to be determined at a Committee or Council Meeting.
Step 5: Planning officer's report and determination
The planning officer will prepare a report making a recommendation for approval or refusal. Development applications may be determined via one of two decision-making processes:
- Council delegation (Officer)
- Determination by Council at an Ordinary Council Meeting
Applicants will be notified if an application is to be determined at a Council Meeting and given an opportunity to present to Council regarding their application.
Step 6: Notification of decision
The applicant and landowner will be advised of the final decision in writing.
Applications are required to be assessed and determined within certain timeframes; however the Shire always endeavours to determine applications as soon as possible. The following statutory timeframes are applicable:
- 60 days – no public consultation is required
- 90 days – public consultation is required
Public consultation is generally required where a development proposal includes variations from the Shire’s requirements or relates to a discretionary use. For more information refer to LPP20 - Advertising of Planning Proposals.
Joint Development Assessment Panels
When a development is assessed to be over a certain dollar amount to build, a third party State Government assigned assessment panel becomes the determining authority. Known as the Joint Development Assessment Panel these applications are processed under a different set of regulations, but the process of advertising remains largely the same.
To find out more about DAPs, visit the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, or email Planning Services [email protected] or call (08) 9622 6100.