Author: melanie.ellis@changeofplan.com.au

March 30, 2023

Posted at 15:25h in Planning Process

"How long will the planning permit process take?" This is one of the first questions people ask me, and one of the most difficult to answer. The short answer is quite a long time, and longer than many people realise! The reason why it is a difficult question...

March 09, 2023

Posted at 10:36h in Housing, Planning Controls

Within Melbourne suburbs the three most common residential zones that you are likely to encounter are: Neighbourhood Residential Zone, General Residential Zone, Residential Growth Zone. Each of these zones are similar in that their main priority is for residential uses to continue and be...

January 11, 2023

Posted at 13:34h in Planning Process

A question I hear often is "What is town planning?" The way that I explain it is that town planning is where the Local Council looks at what you want to do and decides if it is the right use or development for the area. Town planning...

January 10, 2023

Posted at 12:19h in Planning Process

Sometimes people come to us in a panic. They didn't realise that their project required a town planning permit until they were a fair way into their new venture. Suddenly Council contacted them or even initiated enforcement action. By this time, they...

November 24, 2022

Posted at 10:48h in Planning Process

Many people think they only need a Town Planner for difficult or controversial applications, but there are many benefits to using a Town Planner, like Change of Plan, for all your projects. Starting a new town planning project can be daunting, but we are here...

November 21, 2022

Posted at 14:28h in Uncategorized

It seems that almost every time I tell people what I do for a living someone says that they wish they had heard of me/met me/knew about me before.  I’m a Town Planner and I help people get planning permission from the Local Council for...

November 15, 2022

Posted at 10:52h in Planning Process, VCAT

Don't be caught out by a covenant over your land title in Melbourne.  A planning permit can't be approved if it is contrary to a restrictive covenant on the title.  If there is a covenant it will need to varied or removed before the proposal...

October 25, 2022

Posted at 14:45h in Uncategorized

Did you know that before you can get a liquor licence for your new bar or restaurant, first you will need a planning permit? This includes if you want to extend the hours or patrons on an existing liquor licence as well. Many Councils have local...