Embarking on a development project, whether it’s a home extension, secondary dwelling or commercial change of use, often requires council approval.
A key question for many property owners is whether to hire a town planner or navigate the application process independently.
While it’s possible to handle the application on your own, the decision depends on various factors, including the complexity of the project, your familiarity with planning regulations and your confidence in preparing detailed documentation.
What Does a Town Planner Do?
Town planners are experts in navigating planning regulations and development controls. They bring extensive knowledge of local council requirements, zoning laws and the intricacies of the Development Application (DA) and Complying Development Certificate (CDC) processes.
Town planners assess your project’s feasibility, help design compliant plans and prepare the necessary documentation, all while ensuring that the proposal aligns with local planning standards.
They also act as a bridge between you and the council, managing communications, addressing feedback and making necessary adjustments to move the application forward.
When Might You Manage the Application on Your Own?
For straightforward projects that meet all local planning controls and don’t involve extensive modifications, you may feel comfortable handling the application independently.
Examples include:
- Minor Home Improvements: Projects like adding a deck, shed or fence may fall under exempt development or have simple approval processes.
- Basic Extensions in Complying Zones: If your extension complies fully with CDC requirements and requires minimal documentation, an independent application could be feasible.
- Non-Complex Renovations: Simple renovations that don’t alter the property’s footprint, such as internal refurbishments, may be easier to handle without professional assistance.
However, it’s essential to be aware that even minor projects can encounter issues if documentation is incomplete or if unforeseen regulations apply.
Benefits of Hiring a Town Planner
For more complex projects or those involving specific council regulations, a town planner can provide invaluable support.
Some scenarios where hiring a town planner is particularly helpful include:
- Complex Development Applications: Projects that involve zoning issues, environmental assessments or heritage considerations benefit from professional oversight to ensure compliance with all regulations.
- Secondary Dwellings and Dual Occupancies: Town planners are well-versed in requirements for secondary dwellings and can help secure approval for these types of developments, which often involve detailed planning.
- Subdivisions: Subdividing land requires knowledge of zoning, infrastructure and minimum lot sizes. Town planners can manage these complexities and help streamline the approval process.
- Commercial Change of Use: Changing the use of a commercial property often triggers zoning and compliance requirements that town planners can help navigate effectively.
How a Town Planner Simplifies the Application Process
Hiring a town planner brings numerous advantages, including:
- Expert Document Preparation: Town planners ensure that all necessary documents—such as site plans, environmental assessments and Statements of Environmental Effects—are completed accurately, minimising the risk of council requests for additional information.
- Faster Turnaround: An experienced planner knows how to structure the application to align with council expectations, often expediting the review process.
- Guidance on Adjustments: If the council requests changes, a town planner can interpret feedback, make adjustments and communicate with council officers to keep the application moving smoothly.
- Managing Compliance and Conditions: Town planners ensure your project complies with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and relevant safety standards, addressing all council conditions for approval.
Risks of Applying Without a Town Planner
Handling the DA process on your own can seem cost-effective, but it comes with potential risks:
- Incomplete Documentation: Missing or incorrect documentation can lead to significant delays as councils request additional details or clarifications.
- Unanticipated Compliance Issues: If the project doesn’t fully comply with local standards, your application could be rejected or delayed, leading to added time and costs.
- Difficulty Navigating Complex Regulations: Councils often have unique and detailed requirements, especially for properties in conservation or environmentally sensitive areas. These are best addressed with professional insight.
Whether or not you need a town planner ultimately depends on the scope of your project and your confidence in navigating the DA process.
While smaller, straightforward projects may be feasible to manage independently, more complex developments benefit greatly from the expertise of a town planner.
ApproveAll Town Planning offers extensive experience in guiding projects through council approval, ensuring a smooth and compliant application process.
ApproveAll Town Planning also has in-house architects and drafts-people so that projects are managed end-to-end.
If you’re uncertain about your project’s needs, reach out today to discuss how we can help achieve your development goals with confidence and efficiency.
Contact us at projects@approveall.com.au or give us a call on (02) 8000 9150
