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Minor Works Exempted From Planning Permits

Minister for Planning, Mr Rob Hulls, has announced that a wide range of minor works around the home and office, such as installing hot water heaters and building pergolas, will be exempted from requiring planning permits.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 12th May 2006 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Planning and Environment Director, Mr Andrew Mason, welcomed the decision, but cautioned community members to still check with Council if a permit is required.

"This is a significant step in reducing planning permit red tape for councils and the community.

"But residents and businesses should still check with Council to see if a planning permit is needed for proposed works.

"Some works may also still require a building permit – this is true for such projects as decks, pergolas, sheds and swimming pools.

"Building permit requirements remain unchanged and neglecting to obtain one, when it is required, can result in penalties of over $10,000," advised Mr Mason.

The announcement of ‘quick fix’ opportunities is part of the Victorian Government’s Streamlining the Planning Process – Cutting Red Tape Review.

These quick fixes target:

• Domestic services such as hot water heaters;
• Minor buildings and works such as sheds, cubby houses, pergolas, and decks for houses on blocks smaller than a quarter-acre;
• Minor works in business areas, such as ATMs, shop fronts and awnings;
• Car parking for commercial premises where the space required is the same or less than that provided for the building’s previous occupant;
• Matters such as emergency works, temporary land sales offices and domestic landscaping; and
• Other matters such as park furniture where the planning scheme contains specific requirements.

Mr Hulls said the quick fixes could reduce the number of planning applications before some councils by up to 10 per cent.

"Overall, potentially 4000 applications across the state will no longer require permits - including applications that would otherwise take two to five months for councils to approve."

Mr Hulls added that the proposals had been road-tested with local government and stakeholders. "Although the exemptions cover a wide range of works, they should have little impact other than making life easier for councils, home owners and small businesses," he said.

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Elaine Carbines, who is chairing the red tape review, praised councils for identifying opportunities to streamline the planning process and committing to implement changes.

"From day one, we have emphasised engaging local government and stakeholders to reduce the number of permit requirements," said Ms Carbines. "Today’s announcement demonstrates that the process is gaining momentum."

The exemptions will be included in the Streamlining the Planning Process – Cutting Red Tape Review final report, which is due for release next month; the changes will come into effect at that time.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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