The City Council controls most development in the CBD. Those wishing to construct or change buildings, erect signage or change anything that affects “streetscape” must apply for a permit. If you wish to change any external feature of your apartment (such as erecting a pergola or enclosing a balcony, you will need, firstly, the consent of your Owners Corporation.Then you will need to make a permit application to the City of Melbourne. Following procedures can avoid many a heartache.If you are aware of any planned developments in your area, consider them carefully – you can see the file of any application at the City Council Development Planning Branch.
- All developments over 25,000 sq. feet go to the Minister at the Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD) and by-pass Council. This is a great pity as we residents do not have any right to object.
- We residents can access City of Melbourne’s Planning Register Online for information on a specific permit application CoM Planning Register Online-20 . For any additional information contact (03) 9658 8692 at Town Hall.
We are also consulted by the Council on many other plans and policies – eg Health Policy, Parks and Gardens, Laneways and so on. So stay in touch as we try to bring you the latest……
Hello Michael – Unfortunately any planning application that has an “M” after the “TP” goes straight to the Planning Minister and this would have been at the time of Justin Madden…. and transparency of process was a strong criticism of him and his department. Let’s see what the new minister is like, but that doesn’t help you at 360 Collins St. Sounds like a brush-off from DPCD doesn’t it? Yes many residents like you, feel ignored, unlike the “Business End” of town. Thank you for your comment.
Council reference: TPM-2011-5
Hello,
I live next to a proposed 15 storey development at 360 Collins St plaza and wonder if anyone is interested because no one at Council or State Government seems to want to hear anything from it’s residents. We would like the opportunity to have our say (the DPCD tells me I can submit my thoughts but they don’t have to look at it). The proposal will see the removal of a large public plaza area and a number of trees on Lt Collins St and will also block out light in our street. Melbourne has for a long time taken pride in developing and presenting to the world, a cosmopolitan livable city but in actual fact the residents of Melbourne seem to be mostly ignored.
Thank you,
Michael Munson