Published on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 at 1:00:40 PM
Preparing development applications has just gotten simpler thanks to a new service being offered by the City of Greater Geraldton.
Starting Tuesday 28 January, customers will be able to “Book a Town Planner” on the City’s website in order to receive important guidance as they prepare their development application.
The service is designed to speed up the approval process and achieve positive development outcomes for the community.
City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim identified that delays in obtaining approvals are generally caused by the need for additional information.
“We are giving applicants the opportunity to speak with our Town Planners earlier in the process so they can get the best guidance when submitting an application,” he said.
“This service not only makes life easier for applicants but also supports our goal of fostering local development, creating jobs and driving economic growth in Greater Geraldton.
“Our Town Planners are excited to offer this support and help bring quality developments to our community.”
During the bookable sessions, a Town Planner will provide tailored advice, including:
- A clear explanation of how to achieve a successful development approval
- A list of documentation and information needed with their application
- Insights to proactively address potential issues before submission
- Provide clarity about the assessment process and expected timeframes
By meeting with a Town Planner early in the process, applicants can avoid common pitfalls and save valuable time.
“Applicants have requested the ability to make appointments with the Town Planning team, rather than visiting ad hoc, and we’ve listened – we will now offer a bookable, responsive service which will enhance our customer’s experience”.
“While these meetings are designed to simplify and clarify the approval process, it’s important to note that they’re not about providing design assistance, detailed assessments of any proposal or indicating the likely outcome of specific development proposals,” Mr McKim explained further.
“Instead, the focus is on helping applicants understand the complexities of the process and ensuring they have all the necessary information to support their application,” he finished.
To book an appointment with a Town Planner, please click here.
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