Apply for your planning permit

Planning permits relate to the use and development of the land. It is important that accurate, clear and concise details of the land are provided with the application.

Ensure that you include both a street address of the property and the formal land description as sometimes the street address alone does not provide an accurate identification of the relevant parcel of land relating to an application.  Make sure you also provide the formal land description – the lot and plan number or the crown, section and parish/township details (as applicable) for the subject site. This information is shown on the title.

A full copy of your Certificate of Title can be obtained through the Landata website.    

Clearly describe what you want a Planning Permit for. Make sure you describe what you want to do with the land and how the land will be used or developed as a result of the proposal.  By providing an accurate description of the proposal, you will avoid unnecessary delays associated with amending the description at a later date.

Ensure that you attach all the necessary supporting information and documents to support your proposal including, plans showing the layout and details of your proposal, a description of the likely effect of the proposal (eg, traffic, noise, environmental impacts) and any other information required by the planning scheme or requested by Council.

Most permit application relating to development and/or use will require the following plans to be provided as part of the application.

Site plans - A site plan is a bird’s-eye view which shows your existing and proposed development and its position in relation to boundaries and neighbouring developments.

A site plan should show all structures on the land and any other relevant features such as trees, carparks, driveways and crossovers, the length of boundaries and walls, site levels, the distance between existing and proposed buildings and the property’s boundaries and adjoining walls. It should also distinguish between existing and proposed structures and features and provide a written summary of the site coverage, floor area, number of parking spaces, area proposed for landscaping and other relevant details.

Floor plans - A floor plan is a bird’s-eye view of the existing and proposed structures in your development. It should show the layout of the building, its relationship to existing buildings, the location and dimensions of walls, windows and doors and the use of each room and area within the building.

Elevation plans - Elevation plans are side-on views of your proposed development. Elevations of all four sides (north, south, east & west) should accompany your application. The plans should show the appearance of the building from the street, the height of walls and the roof above natural ground level and the length of walls as well as details of construction materials and colours to be used.

If you have any questions in relation to this requirement please arrange a pre-application meeting and check this with the Council planner prior to lodging your application. 

Provide an accurate estimate of the cost of the development. This will be used to determine the planning application fee. 

Title information confirms the location and dimensions of the land specified in the planning application and any obligations affecting what can be done on or with the land.

As well as describing the land, a full copy of the title will include a diagram or plan of the land and will identify any encumbrances, caveats and notices.

The actual details of an encumbrance are usually provided in a separate document (instrument) associated with the title whilst some are marked on the title diagram or plan, such as easements or building envelopes.

It is important to ensure that your proposal does not breach an encumbrance on the title. 

A full and current Certificate of Title and copies or any  instruments associated with the title must be provided with a Planning Permit application. 

A full copy of your Certificate of Title, including title plans and associated instruments can be obtained for a small fee through the Landata website.  

If you have any questions in relation to a registered restrictive covenant on your title please arrange a pre-application meeting and check this with the Council planner prior to lodging your application. 

If you are the Planning Permit applicant but not the owner of the land, you must provide the owner’s details on the application for Planning Permit. This section is used when an agent for the owner makes the application. The applicant must tell the owner that the application has been made. 

The declaration should be signed by the person who takes responsibility for the accuracy of all the information that is provided. This declaration is a signed statement that the information included with the application is true and correct at the time of lodgement. 

We highly recommend that you arrange a pre-application meeting, in person or via phone prior to submitting your application.  Incomplete applications can cause of a delay during the assessment process.   Pre-application meetings provide applicants the opportunity to speak directly with a planner and review the information they intend to submit and enables planner to seek clarity prior to the application being submitted. 

Ensure that your provide details of your pre-application meeting including date and planner that you spoke with on your application. 

To arrange a pre-application meeting and check this with the Council planner prior to lodging your application

If the appropriate information is not provided, the application won’t be processed. Council must have sufficient information to assess your application. Plans or other information may also need to be prepared to accompany the application. The planning scheme may state that particular information is required for certain types of Planning Permit applications, and it is often necessary to seek professional assistance to ensure all matters are adequately addressed.

It is for this reason that we always recommend a pre-application meeting prior to the lodgement of your application.  

If you are satisfied that all required information has been included, lodge the application via email to info@indigoshire.vic.gov.au: mail to Indigo Shire Council, PO Box 28 Beechworth,  VIC 3747 or at any of Council’s Customer Service Centres.

Once your application is lodged you will be contact from the Planning Department requesting the associated fee for your application. 

Please note, following detailed assessment by the planner, additional fees may be requested under Section 54 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to facilitate the processing of your application.

VicSmart is a streamlined assessment process for straightforward planning permit applications. Classes of application are identified in the planning scheme as being VicSmart and have specified requirements for information, assessment processes and decision guidelines.

Key features of VicSmart include:

• a 10 business day permit process
• applications are not advertised
• information to be submitted with an application and what council can consider is pre-set
• the Chief Executive Officer of the council or delegate decides the application.

Please contact Council's Planning Department on 1300 365 003 for further information on Vic Smart applications.