Council assesses development under several application types. The application type of your development is dependent upon the type of development, overlays, precincts and site area, and affects the amount of approval you are required to seek from council. The different types of development are listed below:
Material Change of Use (MCU)
A material change of use of premises means:
- The start of a new use of the premises;
- The re-establishment on the premises of a use that has been abandonded;
- A material increase in the intensity or scale of the use of the premises.
Examples: Changing a retail shop into a food and drink outlet, a 30 site caravan park into a 60 site caravan park, vacant lot into an office, shop or industrial use etc.
Operational Works
Activities that alter the shape or form of the land. Eg. Earthworks (i.e. filling or excavation), vegetation clearing, the placement of advertising signs; and works on council's infrastructure such as roadworks. Operational works does not include:
- Building work
- Plumbing or Drainage work
Reconfiguring a Lot
Subdividing the land or making changes to the boundaries for example:
- Subdividing one lot into one or more lots;
- Dividing land into parts by agreement;
- Re-aligning the boundary of a lot;
- Creating an access easement.
This form is used to lodge the above applications.
Categories of Development and Assessment
Accepted development
Accepted development allows a person undertaking a development to complete their own assessment. This type of development does not require a Development Approval from Council. The development is to be assessed against all the identified accepted outcomes of the applicable codes identified in the assessment benchmarks column and any applicable overlay codes of the planning scheme; and comply with the accepted outcomes of the applicable codes.
Code assessable development
Code assessable development is to be assessed against all the assessment benchmarks identified in the assessment benchmarks column and any applicable overlay codes of the planning scheme; and complies with the purpose and overall outcomes of the code and the performance or acceptable outcomes of the code. An application is required to be lodged to Council.
Impact assessable development
Impact assessable development is to be assessed against the identified benchmarks in the assessment benchmarks column including zone codes, use codes, overlay codes and strategic framework. Public notification is required to be undertaken by the applicant. An application is required to be lodged to Council.
If you are a developer or owner-builder, there are important Commonwealth telecommunications rules you need to comply with. Visit infrastructure.gov.au/tind for more information.
