FAQs

We currently have a Community Engagement Policy which outlines our commitment to engaging with the community. This Policy was adopted by Council in 2019 and can be viewed here. The new Community Engagement Strategy builds on the existing Policy and further strengthens the framework for our community to engage with Council and participate in decision-making.

You can register to this site to have your say or subscribe to our monthly eNewsletter to stay up to date with the latest projects and consultation opportunities.

Community engagement is the process of involving the community to provide feedback about the plans, projects and policies that Council develops on behalf of our community and considering that input when decisions are made. It is at the very core of our democratic processes in local government.

The neighbour notification process is being reviewed to assist in the timely determination of applications. We are proposing to streamline the process so that a letter to adjoining properties is not required where the application is of limited impact, including the following types of applications:

• Common low scale development ie. single storey houses, in-ground pools, sheds
• Development unlikely to cause substantial amenity impacts upon adjoining landowners
• Development that does not increase the density of development
• Development of a low impact
• Work that would otherwise be undertaken as exempt or complying development, but where a development application has been lodged.

These forms of low impact developments do not have significant impact on the amenity of the area and do not generate a lot of interest or submissions.

Neighbour notification will not be mandatory for single storey dwellings, alterations and additions and specific ancillary development. Proposals of this nature are generally low scale, compliant with the development controls and are unlikely to cause an impact on neighbours within the locality. However, applications of this type may be notified where assessment officers consider that there are substantial impacts.

Any development that proposes to increase the number of dwellings in an area will still be notified. Also, specified higher impact use applications (such as two storey development, child care centres, gyms and small bars) and centre uses that propose late night trading hours between 11pm and 6am will be notified.

The proposed changes will better align Council’s notification policy with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) 2009.

Applications that require neighbour notification are open for comment 14 days after they are notified.

If you wish to provide comment on an application that is not neighbour notified, this should be done as soon as possible in the assessment process.

All applications are available on DA Tracker.

Planning Alerts are an independent third party provider who email interested parties of any development within a radius of their property. If you wish to find out about development applications near you, you may sign up for planning alerts here.