Streamlined online process for Council planning applications
Published on 22 June 2021
Each year, Frankston City Council processes numerous planning permits and those approvals are now being made easier with the introduction of a streamlined online process.
As part of Council’s Future Ready Frankston transformation program, this is one of the first new projects to launch that will benefit residents with an easy online lodgement and quicker timelines.
In 2020, Council received a total of 1367 planning applications including new applications, amendments and requests for extensions to existing permits.
By moving Council’s lodgements online it will now be a simpler, streamlined process and it also brings Frankston City in line with other municipalities.
The online planning permit system joins a number of new initiatives in the Customer Experience area all designed at improving how residents interact with their Council. These include a payment hotline, live chat and interactive phone redirects.
North East Ward Cr David Asker said the introduction of the online process follows consultation with previous applicants and is part of a move to improve Council practices and future customer experiences.
“This is one of many improvements being made to planning processes with the next step to include online lodgement of amendments to planning permits and requests for extension of time to planning permits,” Cr Asker said.
Customers who regularly apply for planning permits are able to register via the Frankston City Council website.
Tapir Design and Planning Managing Director, Nicci Foster, said: “We were thrilled to be able to lodge a recent application using the new online planning portal. Lodging online provides a trackable, traceable system that ensures the receipt of documents.
Ms Foster added: “Email is fine, but it can create problems if there are server issues and relies on double handling of information.
“The online process allows payments to be made at lodgement, which makes our lives much easier and we don't have to chase up third party payment.
“Uploading documents was very easy and had no failures, allowing the online lodgement process to very swift and easy for any member of our team to complete. This saves us time and ensures that no documents are left out as we can use one page for uploading all necessary documents.
“The upload also allows for large files and for unique characters to be used in the file names, so we are not having to rename or compress normal files like with some other planning portals. A really user-friendly online service that should result in improved efficiency.”
Statutory Planning ensures that land is well managed, taking into account the needs of the community and the environment.
The role of Statutory Planning is to administer, enforce and provide advice about the Frankston Planning Scheme. This includes assessing and determining planning permit applications for new land uses or development proposals against this Scheme.
With the new online system, the Planning Permit application requirements will not change, including documentation, plans and fees required.
For more information and to lodge a new application online, please visit Submitting your Application.