Planning application timelines

Further information requests and amendments to an application can affect the statutory clock starting date.  

Further information requests

Council has 28 days after you lodge a planning application to provide you with a request for further information. The application is not considered complete until all further information is received and therefore the statutory clock does not start until all further information is submitted.

In this instance, the statutory clock begins (from zero days) on the day the further information is submitted with Council.  

If a request for further information is made after 28 days from lodgement of a planning application, then the clock does not stop, and the statutory clock begins on the day that the application was received by the Council.  

Amendments to an application

The clock will also reset to zero when an amendment to the application is lodged.

The statutory clock may also pause if Council requires an applicant to undertake notice, for example when a letter is sent to an applicant requesting they place a public notice on site.

It recommences when the last notice is given, for example, when the sign is placed on the land. 

Statutory days include weekend days and public holidays.

The Victorian and Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) provides a helpful calculator of statutory days.

In the event that a decision is not made within 60 statutory days, the applicant has the right to lodge an appeal at VCAT, under Section 79 of the Planning and Environment Act for Council’s failure to determine the planning application within the statutory timeframe.