Guest Blog
Graham Clegg
1. The Planning Appeal Process Explained

In this Guest Blog, Planning and Environment Lawyer and Principal of Anderssen Lawyers, Dale Ellerman outlines the process of an Appeal in the Planning and Environment Court.

1. The Planning Appeal Process Explained
Informative
Graham Clegg
When a Heritage Exemption Certificate does not ...

In Queensland, a Heritage Place may be listed by a Council (if of local significance) or by the State (if of state significance), or both. A search can be undertaken of a local or state heritage register to determine if a place is heritage listed.

If development is being undertaken on (or adjoining) a heritage place, it may trigger the requirement to obtain development approval for the aspect of development being proposed. This is to ensure that the effects of the proposal on the heritage place can be appropriately considered and assessed. In some instances, it may be possible to obtain a Heritage Exemption Certificate (local or state).

A client recently came to us proudly waiving the Exemption Certificate they had obtained from the Department of Environment & Heritage Protection (DEHP), in respect of works to a heritage place of State significance. The proposed works were limited to internal fit-out alterations to accommodate their new tenancy lease within the building. We were commissioned to obtain the development approval for Material Change of Use (MCU) from the local Council. Having had the heritage assessment of the works completed upfront and an Exemption Certificate issued, they thought there would be no need for further assessment of heritage matters and that this would expedite processing time within Council for the development application. Time was of the essence to meet commercial and contractual obligations of the lease.

Schedule 3 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009 identifies circumstances when development is ‘assessable’ or ‘self-assessable’ and the type of assessment required. With respect to development on a heritage place, Table 5, item 2 of Schedule 3 states inter alia that any aspect of development is assessable, other than development for which an exemption certificate under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 has been issued. It further states that the type of assessment in such circumstances is code assessment (against the Qld Heritage Place State Code). Since the client held an Exemption Certificate, they understood the heritage aspects were therefore not assessable and the MCU would not have to be referred back to DEHP for heritage assessment, thus reducing processing time.

While preparing the development application and on closer inspection of the Exemption Certificate, we found that the development description that the certificate was issued in favour of was for ‘Demolition of existing fit-out and new fit-out work and new lift, structural openings and modifications’.

Although the particular aspect of development that was granted exemption was not stated on the certificate, it was apparent that it was in respect of the actual works to be performed (ie building work). The Exemption Certificate did not extend to the Material Change of Use component. This meant that the development application submitted to Council for Material Change of Use triggered referral to SARA for assessment by DEHP of heritage matters pertaining to the MCU aspect, pursuant to Schedule 3, Table 5, item 2 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation. The time savings the client thought they had achieved by obtaining the Exemption Certificate upfront were not realised because the MCU still triggered referral to SARA for consideration of heritage matters by DEHP, notwithstanding the Exemption Certificate.

We think it’s fair to say that it is highly likely that only a town planner would know the subtleties of distinction between the various aspects of development (eg Building Work, MCU, Op Works, etc) and the actual extent or limitations of a heritage exemption certificate. To avoid this confusion, we believe the certificate (and for that matter the Exemption Certificate Application Form) could be modified to more clearly identify the aspect of development that is being granted exemption, so that proponents are aware whether further approvals will be required for any other aspects of development. In the event that an Exemption Certificate does not extend to an MCU, then this should be clearly stated on the Exemption Certificate Application Form, so that the recipient of the certificate is aware that further approvals may be required.

We also found that the client had made some modifications to the drawings supplied to us for the MCU development application, when compared to those authorised by the original Exemption Certificate. This meant that while there were no contrary conditions imposed on the development application to those contained within the Exemption Certificate, the client would be required to either refer their building application to the DEHP for assessment of the modified drawings, or to return again to DEHP to update the Exemption Certificate to reflect the modified drawings, prior to gaining building approval.

The Take-Away

From the traps and tips we’ve shared in this blog, you should now have a better idea of things to be aware of when dealing with a heritage place and the potential limitations of Exemption Certificates.

If the proposed development involves an MCU in addition to carrying out building work, be sure to investigate whether the Exemption Certificate being sought extends to all aspects of development being applied for. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to factor in additional time to your development approvals timeframe for heritage assessment of that aspect of the development that does not benefit from the Exemption Certificate. In addition, be sure (as far as is practicable) to finalise the proposed development drawings prior to obtaining an Exemption Certificate, so that they will be consistent with those submitted with the development application, otherwise it will be necessary to either refer the building application to DEHP for assessment of the modified drawings, or to return again to DEHP at building application stage to update the Exemption Certificate to reflect the modified drawings.

Clegg Town Planning is experienced in procuring development approvals for both local and state heritage places and can relieve the stress and uncertainty from your project, by ensuring an efficient and streamlined approval process is followed.

When a Heritage Exemption Certificate does not provide Exemption
Quick Tip
Graham Clegg
Building Height

How is building height prescribed? A quick rundown on a common development assessment element. 

Building Height
Informative
Graham Clegg
Census – A Key Tool for Town Planners

With the Australian Census recently completed, this blog explores how census information is useful to, and indeed necessary for good town planning.

The Australian Census is an important tool for a wide array of users, for a variety of reasons and census results provide an essential source of information to prepare forward planning strategies. This ensures forward planning strategies accommodate developing trends. Town Planning by nature is a dynamic process that should continually seek to identify and address issues and objectives based on reliable data. That way, appropriate responses can be made and reviews conducted to assess how successful the strategies were at achieving their goal. Perpetual repetition of this process should result in continual improvement in planning policy to meet the needs of the future population. The strategies and even the objectives may need to be adjusted to accommodate the changing nature of the area to achieve the best planning outcomes for the community.

Without the availability of census information, early identification of trends would not be possible and the planning instrument might otherwise just be an arbitrary, theoretical document that is likely to be ineffective.

Read on if you would like to know why the census is a key tool for town planners. 

Census – A Key Tool for Town Planners
QLD Planning News
Graham Clegg
Queensland Planning Reform Website now Available

Following on from our June 13 blog post about the new planning legislation being approved by parliament, the Queensland government has just release their new 'Planning Reform' website to provide resources for industry participants to get up to speed with how the new planning system works before it comes into force mid-2017.

The Planning Reform website is packed with useful information covering every aspect of the new system with section on the System, Plan Making, Development Assessment, Dispute Resolution, News and Events, and Resources. 

Queensland Planning Reform Website now Available

Consultation website launched by the Qld Government for South East Queensland Regional Plan Review

Consultation website launched by the Qld Government for South East Queensland Regional Plan Review

A community-orientated consultation website has been launched by the Queensland Government to guide the development of a revised South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP).

How to Expedite DA Processing Time-frames

How to Expedite DA Processing Time-frames

Nobody likes delays. Time is money and that’s certainly true in property development. Holding costs are usually incurred on property prior to the development being complete (i.e. the property is vacant and does not generate an income or the costs of holding the property cannot be recovered by the income). The holding costs also includes ‘opportunity loss’ which is the lost income if the money was to be invested in a lower risk investment option such as a term deposit instead. Therefore, it is usually a priority for most persons involved in property development to get through the process as quickly as possible. In this blog, we highlight the most common delays to Council processing times for development applications (DA) so that you’ll know how to minimise this part of the process. 

Community Consultation in Planning: How the needs and desires of the community are represented in the planning system

Community Consultation in Planning: How the needs and desires of the community are represented in the planning system

Following on from our previous blog where we outlined the role of a town planner in the Queensland town planning system, this month’s blog looks at the (statutory) community consultation aspects of the system. We explain the stages and opportunities available for you to get involved and have your say on planning and development matters in the State of Queensland. Read on to discover how and when you can ensure that your say can have maximum effect.

Town Planning in a Nutshell – It’s Sort of Like the Game Sim City…

Town Planning in a Nutshell – It’s Sort of Like the Game Sim City…

"What is town planning and what does a town planner do?"

“Do you know the game Sim City?”

“Yes.”

“Well, town planning is a little bit like that.”

This is my usual response to the inevitable question after stating what my profession is when meeting someone new...

Most people know the game Sim City and although it is an oversimplification, it provides a nice representation of town planning (and makes it sound a bit fun?).

So if you have ever wondered: “what exactly does a town planner do?” Then continue reading this article. The purpose of this article is to provide a high-level overview of the roles and responsibilities of town planners in the various parts of the planning system in Queensland (our home State).

To begin, the town planning profession is known by several names, all of which aim to describe what we do collectively. These include: urban planning; urban and regional planning; land use planning; statutory planning, city planning and more. The names differ around the world but the roles are fundamentally the same.

Public Consultation for the Draft Redland City Plan 2015 closes 27 November 2015

Public Consultation for the Draft Redland City Plan 2015 closes 27 November 2015

Redland City Council's Draft City Plan 2015 was released for public consultation on 14 September and will end 27 November 2015. If you require assistance to determine how the new planning scheme affects your property, and to prepare a properly made submission on your behalf, please contact us.