Planning permit determinations and objections

The planning legislation and framework allows for objections to be received to any planning application by any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit. Submissions of support are also welcomed and submitted using the same process as for an objection.

If you are likely to be affected by a permit, you may receive a letter in the mail and will be directed to look at the application and any documents that support the application at:

Council website: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Follow: Planning and permits – Planning Services – Lodge or track an application - Greenlight

Council offices: Mount Alexander Shire Council
Civic Centre, 27 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine
This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.

An objection or submission can be lodged online (via Greenlight) or can be sent to the Responsible Authority in writing addressed to:

Planning Services
Mount Alexander Shire Council
PO Box 185, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450

or info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

The Responsible Authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application.

To ensure your application is assessed as quickly as possible, you need to ensure all of the required information is submitted.
Please ensure that all written submissions include a name, address and contact number.

An objection must include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected.

When an objection is lodged by a group of people with the same objection, whether represented or not, it is common planning practice to consider this type of objection as one objection, known either as a petition or an objection lodged and signed by multiple signatures, sharing the same concerns.

Petitions are counted as one objection, regardless of the number of signatories.

Separate objections are required from each person if they wish to have objector status, otherwise only the first signatory (or any other person as directed) will be registered as the objector.

If you are lodging your objection/submission online, avoid loading errors by using your Chrome browser.

Use either the reference number OR address, NOT both, when searching via Greenlight.

Please note that multi-signatory objections will be counted as a SINGLE objection.

Once your objection has been submitted you will be notified.

It is Council policy to consider a mediation meeting between the applicant and objector/s when circumstances may provide a resolution and the applicant is willing to participate. You will be invited to attend this if a meeting is scheduled.

If objections are not withdrawn, the application may be required to go before a Council meeting for a decision. You will be advised of the date of the meeting and provided with any other relevant information.

All applications to go before a Council meeting have a separate applicant / objector / supporter meeting. This meeting is usually held two weeks prior to the Council meeting and provides an opportunity for the applicant and objector(s) to speak directly with Councillors and senior Council Officers about the application prior to it being determined.

The meeting will be facilitated to ensure Councillors have the information they need to make a decision at a subsequent meeting. It is not a mediation session and no decision will be made on the night.

For further information, please contact the planning department on 5471 1700.