Applications - Preparing and lodging applications

Council is working towards full electronic lodgement of all development applications and related material with the objective of providing customer service efficiencies, as well as improved electronic record keeping and document quality management.

A considerable amount of information is now transmitted electronically.  Most businesses, State Government bodies and customers have an expectation that Council will operate in a digital environment. The submission of electronic data will provide a standard and quality consistent with these expectations.

With effect 1 March 2018, applications and supporting documentation are to be received in an electronic format. All applications and subsequent correspondence is to be lodged electronically (either relating to a new Development Application or an existing Application).

When preparing a development application it must meet the requirements of the Planning Act 2016 to be considered properly made.

The application must be:

  • made to the assessment manager on the approved DA Forms or in some cases, relevant Council forms;
  • accompanied by supporting information as stated on the relevant forms as mandatory information​;
  • lodged with the appropriate fees; and
  • accompanied (where required) by the consent of the owner/s of the land.
  • Documentation can be submitted in the following forms:

    By Email

    By Dropbox

    Council offers are large file sharing solution: box.com

    Box.com is a web-based application that allows for the transfer and sharing of large files, guaranteeing data sovereignty.

    Please contact Council's Development section for further information.

    Over counter/post

    • documentation submitted on a USB or CD (USB preferable);
    • one application per USB or CD; and
    • no hard copies required.
    ​File Format

    All files are to be:

    • created by a software program, not a scanner;
    • contain one specific document or set of plans per file, not packaged together; and
    • unlocked with no password protection.
    Naming convention / document types:

    Not all documents will be required for all applications.  All file names must be:

    • in 'plain English'
    • titled to reflect the type of document, for example:
      • covering letter.pdf
      • DA form.pdf
      • Council lodgement form.pdf
      • proposal plans.pdf
      • planning report.pdf
    • email subject line to include application type; address; the number of emails
      • e.g. Development Application – Material Change of Use – 10 Main Street PIALBA - Email 1 of 2.

    MyDAS2

    Applicants can also prepare their applications via the State’s website, download ZIP files and email to Council.

    This is a mechanism to prepare documentation only and does not allow direct lodgement with Council.

    Applications/supporting documentation must still be emailed or sent via Dropbox to Council.

  • Council offers a variety of ways for payment of development applications including:

    • cheque (for applications submitted via post/over the counter)
    • cash (for applications submitted over the counter)
    • credit card
    • direct deposit

    For applications submitted electronically, within two (2) working days, Council’s Development and Planning administrative team will provide you with a reference number for payment.

    Payment can then be made by direct deposit (quoting the application reference number) or by credit card. For security reasons, credit card details should only be provided over the phone.

    If payment of fees via bank transfer is made simultaneously with the lodgement of the application, please ensure an identifiable reference is quoted on the bank transfer.

    For example:  DA10Main (DA = development application; 10Main = street address of application).

    Council's current list of development fees and charges

  • When preparing a development application it must meet the requirements of the Planning Act 2016 to be considered properly made.

    The application must be:

    • made to the assessment manager on the approved DA Forms or in some cases, relevant Council forms;
    • accompanied by supporting information as stated on the relevant forms as mandatory information;
    • lodged with the appropriate fees; and
    • accompanied (where required) by the consent of the owner/s of the land.
  • When a development application is lodged with Council the assessment process follows the Planning Act 2016.

    The process consists of five stages, click on one of the below for further information:

  • Code A code development application is assessed against the relevant codes identified in the Planning Scheme. This type of application can be assessed relatively quickly and does not require public notification.
    Impact An impact assessable development application is for development that must be assessed against the whole Planning Scheme to the extent relevant. These applications must be publicly notified.
  • When submitting a development application to Council, an applicant is required to include a response to the relevant Planning Scheme code(s).

    To assist with the preparation of a response to the relevant code(s), Council has prepared Planning Scheme code response templates for applicants to use. View Code response templates.

Contact us

Contact Council's Development and Planning Department on 1300 79 49 29 for further assistance.

Planning Information and Tools