Planning Permit Application Process

• We will check that your application includes all mandatory documents and information.
• If anything is missing, your application cannot be accepted and will be returned to you.

• Once documents are confirmed, we will register your application.
• We will send an invoice - you must pay within 10 business days.
• You will receive your application reference number, and the details of your allocated planning officer.
• The date you pay is the official application lodgement date under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Your allocated planning officer will:

• review your application and raise any preliminary concerns with your proposal
• send a Request for Further Information (RFI) within 28 days of the lodgement date, if needed
• refer your application to authorities such as energy and water companies, Department of Transport and Planning, if required
• refer your application to other Council teams for comment.

If you receive a request for further information:

• Council can’t progress until all requested information is provided.
• If you need more time, request an extension in writing before the due date.
• If you don’t respond in time, your application will lapse and close.

How to submit information or an extension request

• Online: Online Planning Portal 
• Email: council@cgd.vic.gov.au 
• Post: Planning Department, City of Greater Dandenong, PO Box 200, Dandenong VIC 3175
• In person: Planning Service Counter, Level 3, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

Before requesting changes, speak with your planning officer. This helps confirm the correct process and whether extra steps like advertising are needed.

When to apply

• Before advertising: Apply for a Section 50 amendment (no fee).
• After advertising: Apply for a Section 57A amendment (fees apply).

Council may need to advertise the amended application. Additional advertising fees will apply.

What you must provide

• A completed application form (not needed if you apply online via the Online Planning Portal)
• Updated plans that:
  • clearly highlight all changes
  • match the original plan’s scale and format.
• For Section 57A amendments, the application fee - we will send you an invoice for payment.

How to apply

• Online: Online Planning Portal 
• Email: council@cgd.vic.gov.au 
• Post: Planning Department, City of Greater Dandenong, PO Box 200, Dandenong VIC 3175
• In person: Planning Service Counter, Level 3, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

Your application may need to be advertised if it could affect neighbouring properties.

Council considers the development scale, type of use and activities proposed, hours of operation, and the sensitivity of surrounding land uses and the local context to determine if the application needs to be advertised.

If notification is required, Council will:

• send letters to nearby owners and occupiers, and any other person or entity the proposal may affect
• place notices on the property
• instruct you to publish a notice in a local paper if required.

Advertising fees apply - we will send you an invoice for payment. You must pay before a decision can be made.

The public can view and object to your application during the advertising period.

Council considers:

• the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme
• Council policies
• referral responses and any objections.

Some applications go to a Council Meeting for decision.

Council will issue one of the following decisions:

Planning Permit

If your application is approved, you will receive a Planning Permit.

• Check the conditions carefully - you must comply with every condition. Council must endorse (approve) your final plans before you start any development or use of the land.
• Check the expiry date - most permits expire 2-4 years from the issue date, unless specific timeframes are listed.
• If you disagree with any condition - you can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review within 60 days of the permit issue date.

Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit (NOD)

If submissions or objections were received, Council may issue a Notice of Decision (NOD), unless the application has no third-party appeal rights (eg. Townhouse and Low-Rise Code). In those cases, the permit is issued directly.

• What an NOD means - it is not yet a permit. It confirms Council supports the application and intends to issue a permit if conditions are met.
• Who gets notified - Council sends the notice to the applicant and objectors.
• Appeal timeframe - objectors have 28 days to appeal to VCAT. If no appeals are lodged, Council issues the planning permit.

Notice of Refusal to Grant a Permit

If Council does not support your application, you will receive a Notice of Refusal, which lists the grounds for refusal.

• A copy is sent to all parties involved in the application process.
• If you disagree, you can appeal to VCAT within 60 days of the notice date.

• Appeal instructions are included on the back of your decision notice.
• All applications for review must be lodged directly with VCAT within the required time.
• For more details, visit the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) website.