Planning statistics evidence of growth

Planning statistics for the 2017 year have shown more than $207 million worth of works were approved by Baw Baw Shire for the year.

A statutory planning report presented to council last week outlined figures for the final four months of the year and also presented the annual totals for planning activity in the shire last year.

More than 200 lots were released for development in the shire and almost $25 million worth of works were approved during the last four months of 2017.

The report also showed continued improvement in the timeframes that planning applications were approved.

For the four month period between September and December, $24.6 million worth of works were approved by council. The lowest month during the period was October when $3.2 million work were approved, compared to around $7 million for each of the other three months.

The average cost of works per permit issued was $175,777.

Council received 133 applications during the four months and determined 158 matters.

In September, 43 per cent of applications were made within the target 60 day period. However, this figure continued to increase in following months to 51 per cent, 55 per cent and 71 per cent by December.

Across the year, council received 376 planning permit applications; 462 applications were determined; a total of 450 lots were released for development. A further 273 subdivision lots were approved. For the year, 53 per cent of applications were made within 60 days.

Of three matters referred to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal during the four month period, one upheld council’s decision, one matter was dismissed and in the third a planning permit for subdivision was directed to be issued.

Cr Darren Wallace said it was pleasing the figures were trending in the right direction.

He said a total of 232 lots were released during the period.

Cr Wallace said it also was pleasing that one of the matters referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal who upheld council’s decision on the day of the hearing.

Cr Peter Kostos said the planning figures were evidence of how quickly the shire was growing.

Cr Michael Leaney said the estimated cost of construction works outlined in the report was just short of $25 million.

“That is money coming into our shire and going into the local economy,” he said.