Friday, October 5, 2012

Free prelodgment advice services with council

Issue 2012-09

The introduction of free prelodgement advice by Sunshine Coast Council is set to turn development potential into development action. 

Getting expert advice early can save time and money in the development application process. This council initiative encourages people who have a development in mind to get free specialist advice first, before lodging an application.

Key features of the new service include:
• Three options to gain prelodgement advice – phone, counter, meeting
• Expert council planners provide advice for each option
• Multiple prelodgement meetings
• Meeting notes provided at the end of each meeting
• All advice services are free of charge.

For all initial enquiries, use council’s efficient and informative phone service. Call council’s dedicated planning phone number during normal business hours on 5475 PLAN (5475 7526). Development service counters are open at council offices in Maroochydore, Tewantin, Nambour and Caloundra. Visit Maroochy on First or Tewantin to specifically meet with council Duty Planners. 

Prelodgement meetings are available for customers who require detailed advice on complex proposals that are at a significant stage of their project development. Senior council officers attend prelodgement meetings to provide direction and explain the type of information required to reduce assessment processing times. 

At prelodgement meetings advice can be provided about the planning scheme and questions answered about planning, engineering, environmental health, traffic and urban design. Applicants are encouraged to provide substantial information about the development proposal before the prelodgement meeting. Information should include scaled plans that detail lot layout, building location and elevations, setbacks, access, parking, natural or environmental features and other relevant information for discussion at the meeting.

Multiple prelodgement meetings are useful for dealing with complex issues early in the development application process. Well prepared development applications can reduce assessment timeframes.

To request a prelodgement meeting, applicants can email a prelodgement meeting request form with supporting development application information. If the information is provided in hard copy, four copies of plan(s) and supporting reports are required. Prelodgement meetings are arranged by appointment and are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 First Avenue, Maroochydore.  Download the prelodgement advice services information sheet for more information on the benefits of council’s prelodgement advice services.

To find out more about council’s development services, call our dedicated planning phone number or drop into one of the service counters.  During business hours visit council offices at 10 First Avenue in Maroochydore or the Nambour, Tewantin and Caloundra offices.  Council has a phone number specifically for development application enquiries, 5475 7526 or 5475 PLAN.

Scienta Hesse I Personal Assistant to Executive Director Regional Strategy & Planning
Regional Strategy & Planning | Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Phone:    07 5441 8182
Email:     scienta.hesse@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Website: www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Mail:       Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560

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