Once your application has been submitted and the required fees have been paid, Council will conduct a preliminary assessment to ensure all necessary information has been provided. This stage is crucial in determining whether the application can proceed to formal assessment or if additional details are required.
Assessment process
The preliminary assessment includes:
- A review of the submitted documentation to check for completeness and consistency.
- Internal referrals to relevant Council officers, which may include:
- Development engineers for stormwater, access, and infrastructure impact.
- Natural resource management officers for biodiversity and land management considerations.
- Environmental health officers for wastewater management and environmental impact.
- External referrals to other agencies if required, such as TasWater, the Department of State Growth, or the Tasmanian Heritage Council.
Request for further information
- If any required details are missing or further clarification is needed, Council will issue a written request outlining what is required. When this happens:
- The assessment process is paused until the requested information is received.
- You must provide the additional details before the application can proceed.
- For discretionary applications, Council has up to 21 days to request additional information.
- For permitted applications, Council has up to 14 days to request additional information.
Common reasons for additional information requests
- Site plans missing required details such as access points, setbacks, or stormwater management.
- Inconsistencies between plans and supporting reports.
- Required reports not included, such as those addressing bushfire risk, biodiversity impact, or traffic considerations.
- Development proposals impacting major roads, requiring a traffic impact assessment.
Responding to an information request
Once the additional information is submitted, Council will determine whether it is sufficient to proceed with the assessment. If the information provided does not fully address the request, a further request may be issued.
Providing complete and accurate information at the outset can help minimise delays and streamline the approval process. If you are unsure about any requirements, contacting Council’s planning team early can help ensure your application is processed as efficiently as possible.
Next steps
Once all required information has been submitted and deemed satisfactory, your application will move to the next stage of assessment.
- If no additional information is required, the application proceeds directly to formal assessment.
- If additional information was requested and provided, Council will review the new details and determine whether the application is ready for assessment.
- For discretionary applications, if the proposal meets the requirements, it will proceed to public notification.
- For permitted applications, if all criteria are met, Council will complete the assessment within the statutory timeframe.
If your application is discretionary, the next step is public notification, where the proposal is advertised for public comment. If your application is permitted, it will move directly to final assessment and decision-making.