Fast track planning service to speed up planning permit processing times
January 25, 2016
Colac Otway Shire Council's planning department is introducing a fast track planning service to speed up the processing time for minor planning applications.
The initiative is one of several process improvements being undertaken by the department in alignment with a planning services review initiated by Council last year.
Chief Executive Officer Sue Wilkinson said recruitment was underway for a customer service/fast track officer, whose position would be dedicated to assessing fast track applications.
"Some planning applications are straightforward and can be processed without advertising or the need for external referrals, which means they can be dealt with more quickly than other planning applications.
"These include applications for things like front fences, repainting a heritage building and the construction of a shed.
"Dedicating a staff member to these types of applications frees up our senior planners to focus on the more complex applications which take more time, thereby improving efficiencies across the board."
Ms Wilkinson said fast track applications would be determined within 10 business days from lodgement, provided all required information had been provided.
"This is about supporting the mums and dads in our community to do the minor renovations they may have been putting off, and also encouraging our local businesses to undertake improvements to their premises with the confidence that there will be a simple process in place to deal with their simple application."
Ms Wilkinson said the initiative was being introduced in response to feedback from the last community satisfaction survey and subsequent review of planning services.
"Our community told us that they wanted to see improvements in our planning service, and that's exactly what's happening.
"The planning team has been working hard to implement positive change – firstly by reducing the average processing time from 76 days in May 2014 to 43 days in May 2015, then developing and implementing the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan, which is one of the most significant planning policy reforms in our history.
"Now through the implementation of the fast track planning service, the department is becoming even more responsive to community needs," she said.
The service will be up and running following the finalisation of the recruitment process.
Inquiries
Tamzin McLennan (03) 5232 9493
Nikki Karpeles (03) 5232 9559