Whether you need a permit depends on the planning controls that apply to your land, including the zone, overlays and any specific planning requirements.

You can use VicPlan to check the zone and overlays for your property. You can then review the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to see what the controls mean.

If you need help understanding the planning controls, please call us on 5272 4456 or book a meeting with a town planner.

If you need written confirmation that a planning permit is or isn't required, you can obtain this via our website at one of the links below. 

A pre-application meeting is an optional meeting with Council before you lodge a planning permit application.

It can help you understand the planning issues that may affect your proposal, what information you may need to provide, and how to prepare a clearer application.

The advice given at a pre-application meeting is preliminary. It is not a formal decision and does not guarantee that a permit will be granted.

Why book a meeting?

A pre-application meeting can help you: 

• identify potential planning or design issues early
• understand planning requirements that may affect your proposal
• find out what information and documents will be needed
• ask questions about the planning process
• prepare a more complete application
• reduce unnecessary delays once your application is lodged

How the process works

You can apply via the link below. You'll need to submit your completed application form along with plans and supporting information that clearly explain your proposal. 

Once we receive your request and payment, a member of our admin team will contact you to arrange a suitable meeting time. This allows planning officers time to review your proposal before the meeting. 

You'll meet with two planning officers to discuss your proposal, ask questions and receive preliminary feedback on any issues or considerations that may affect your application. 

After the meeting, we'll provide a copy of the planner's notes outlining the matters discussed during the meeting. 

Documents you usually need

• Application form: Complete the application form with the applicant details, property details and a clear description of the proposal.
• Current copy of title: Provide a recent copy of title, including the title plan and any restrictions, covenants, easements or agreements. You can get this from LANDATA.
• Owner consent: If you are not the owner, include the owner’s signature or confirm that the owner has been notified.
• Existing conditions plans: Show what is currently on the site, including buildings, access, vegetation, boundaries and nearby features.
• Proposed plans: Show what you want to do. Plans should be drawn to scale and include dimensions, setbacks, access, parking, landscaping and materials where relevant.
• Written explanation: Explain the proposal and how it responds to the planning controls that apply to the land.

We also provide planning permit checklists for some common application types, such as signage or vegetation removal.

Extra information that may be needed

If your application is more complex, some additional supporting information may be required. This may include:

• shadow diagrams or overlooking diagrams
• a landscape plan
• arborist report
• traffic demand or car parking assessment
• waste management plan
• bushfire management statement
• land capability assessment
• stormwater management information
• acoustic report
• environmental site assessment

After we receive your application, we allocate it to a planner. We will give you the planner’s name and contact details so you know who to contact about your application.

The planner checks whether enough information has been provided to assess the proposal. 

They may visit the site and refer the application to other Council teams or external authorities to comment where needed.

Please note: The planner will liaise only with the contact nominated on the application form.

After the initial assessment, the planner may request further information to better understand your proposal, or identify any preliminary concerns.  A timeframe will be given for the information to be provided and if it is not received within the required time frame the application will lapse. 

Once all the information is received

Once the requested further information is received, the application will proceed to the next stage of the process, which includes consideration of whether or not public notification (advertising) of the proposal is required. The application may also need to be re-referred to internal Council departments or external authorities for comment again.

If you need more time

If you require additional time to provide your response, please submit a written request for an extension of time before the response due date, to avoid the application lapsing.

Amending the Application

If you wish to change your application for any reason, you'll need to apply to amend your current application. You can do so by following the link below. 

Some planning applications need to be advertised so nearby owners, occupiers or other affected people can view the proposal and have their say before Council makes a decision.

If advertising is required, it may include one or more of the following:

• Notification by letter to neighbours
• A public notice sign on each frontage of the property, on site for the required 14-day period.
• Application documents and plans will be published on Council website for the required 14-day period.
• Additional advertising may be required if plans are changed throughout the application process.

For Applicants

You may wish to amend your plans prior to advertising, a S50 Amendment form will need to be submitted. 

Anyone who may be affected by a planning application is encouraged to review the application documents before making a submission. During the advertising period, applications can be viewed online through the Current Planning Applications page (linked below) or in-person at the Mercer Street Customer Service Centre.

How to lodge an objection

If you wish to object to a planning application, your objection must: 

• be submitted in writing, either online, by email or in hard copy
• include your name and contact details, including a phone number or email address
• clearly explain the reasons for your objection
• describe how you may be affected by the proposal

Objections can be lodged: 

• online via our Current Planning Applications page
• by email to [email protected]
• in hard copy at our Customer Service Centre

Before lodging an objection, we recommend reading our guide to making an effective submission. 

Objection Period 

Planning applications are generally advertised for 14 calendar days. Objections can be lodged at any time after the advertising period begins and before a decision is made on the application. 

Right of Review 

In some circumstances, affected parties may have the right to seek a review of Council's decision through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). 

Public Documents 

Please note that objections are public documents. In accordance with Section 57(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, copies of objections may be made available to other parties, including the permit applicant, Councillors and VCAT. 

What happens if objections are received?

• An objection does not automatically stop an application. Council must consider the issues raised before making a decision.
• The applicant may respond to the objections or change the plans to try to address concerns. If you are an applicant and wish to make changes, you'll need to lodge an application to amend your application - you can do so by following the link below. 
• If there are several objections, Council may arrange a consultation meeting so the applicant and objectors can discuss the issues.

Who makes the decision?

• Most applications are decided by Council officers under delegation. Some applications may be considered by a decision-making committee (of senior planners) or Councillors (at a Planning Committee Meeting), depending on the type of application and the issues raised.
• Council considers the planning scheme, the application material, referral advice and any submissions received before making a decision.

Possible outcomes

• Planning permit: If the application is approved and there are no remaining review rights, Council may issue a planning permit with conditions.
• Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit: If Council supports an application but objections remain, Council issues a Notice of Decision before a permit can be issued. Objectors then have a period of time to seek a review at VCAT.
• Refusal: Council may refuse an application if it does not meet the planning requirements. The refusal notice will explain the reasons for the decision.

The next steps depend on the decision and whether anyone applies to VCAT for a review.

VCAT review

Some applicants and objectors have the right to ask the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, known as VCAT, to review a planning decision.

VCAT reviews the application independently. It may confirm Council’s decision, change the decision or make a new decision.

You can visit VCAT’s website or contact VCAT on 1300 018 228 for information about its review process.

Planning permits do not last indefinitely.

A permit will normally expire if the approved use or development does not start or finish within the timeframe stated on the permit.

The permit will specify the applicable expiry dates.

Can you extend the expiry date?
You can apply to extend a planning permit’s expiry within a prescribed timeframe.

What if the permit has already expired?
If your permit has expired, you may need to apply for a new planning permit.

If you need to change an approved permit or endorsed plans, this is a separate post-approval pathway. There are two common options.

Secondary Consent

For minor changes that do not require an amendment to the permit.

Examples include:

• small design refinements; 
• minor changes to plans; 
• changes specifically allowed by a permit condition. 

Not every permit can be changed by secondary consent.

Section 72 Amendment

If the proposed change is more substantial, you may need to apply under Section 72 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to amend your permit or endorsed plans.

Examples include:

• changing the approved development; 
• altering permit conditions; 

The amendment process may involve referrals, public notice and a new decision, depending on the proposed changes.