3. Request for further information
Council cannot consider and decide on a planning permit application if you do not give all the information needed. Without all necessary information, your planning permit application takes longer to process.
Council sends you a letter called a Further Information Request and asks you for the extra information.
A request for further information may also point out any concerns that Council has with the proposal. This will be the only chance to change the proposal and give you the best chance of getting a permit. If you want to alter your proposal you will need to fill in an amendment form (DOC 66Kb).
Deadline for further information
Usually you have 60 days from the date of the Further Information Request letter to give the extra information to Council. If you need more time, write to Council before the deadline.
In your letter, include reasons why you cannot get the information Council needs before the deadline and give Council a time or date that you believe it is reasonable to get the information to Council.
Council will consider your request for more time. If your request is supported Council will write to you with a new deadline.
Council will also write to you if your request is not supported. You will then have a further 14 days to supply the information Council needs or you can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of Council's decision.
Going past the deadline for further information
If you do not give Council all of the information needed or write to request more time before the deadline, the application will lapse. This means the application process is finished. If you still want a planning permit, you must submit a new application and pay the fee again.
Avoid a request for further information
Have a pre-application meeting and avoid a request for further information. At a pre-application meeting, find out what extra information you may need to submit with your planning permit application.
The most common thing people forget with their planning permit application is detailed plans.
For example, applications for units or more than one house on a lot must include a neighbourhood and site description, and a design response to meet Clause 55-01 of the Moreland Planning Scheme.
