Project chronologies

MM prepares a planning application.

Refer to the 'pre-permit chronology for preparation of application' section for a detailed outline of this process.

MM makes lodgement with the council & begins planning application process.

The outcome of this is approval or refusal.

Refer to the 'pre-permit chronology of council process' section for a detailed outline of this process.

If approved, the post-permit process commences. Refer to the 'post-permit chronology' section for a detailed outline of this process.

Millar Merrigan completes key elements, including 

• Formal subdivisional survey
• Working drawings 
• Structural and civil engineering
• Stamped plans (planning, landscape, engineering, etc.)
• Referral to authorities 

º During working drawings and engineering, the client begins communication with builders or contractors and the building surveyor to obtain a building permit.

Note that if a planning application is refused, you will have the option to appeal the decision at VCAT within 60 days. 

If subdividing only, all relevant documentation will be provided to the client to organise any civil works on site with relevant contractors. 

º Completed building permit documents provided to client. Client to provide the builder and/or building surveyor with documentation to arrange building permits. 

If subdividing only, relevant works to be completed and inspected. Works certificates to be provided to Millar Merrigan for lodgement with the council as required. 

º Building surveyor (BS) reviews and may issue a request for further information. MM may be able to assist with some items. Others will need to be addressed by the owner/developer or builder. 

º Build and works to be completed.

Subdivision compliance documents to be lodged at the council and the statement of compliance sought. 

º Arrange inspections and works certificates required for both council and BS sign off.

If subdividing only, engage a solicitor for the issue of separate titles and the solicitor lodges at the titles office. 

Simultaneously, the builder will lodge relevant documentation to the council and building surveyor, and the certificate of occupancy is sought.

Meeting with Millar Merrigan to review fee proposal.

Authorisation to proceed received from the client.

Client to return design brief.

Preliminary servicing,

Site survey fieldwork completed and survey plans prepared.

Arborist attends the site and prepares a report.

Neighbourhood and site plan prepared.

Internal design review undertaken.

Concept plans for proposed dwelling/s are prepared and sent to the client, and/or a meeting with the client is arranged.

If a new concept is required, this timing repeats. Note that additional fees are applicable to additional concepts as per our fee proposal. 

Client authorises concept (time frame extends if concept approval is delayed).

Pre-application discussion with the council if required. Time frame is subject to council availability.

Preparation of detailed planning drawings. Note that the time frame increases if more than 2 dwellings are proposed.

Internal engineering review.

Preparation of landscape and stormwater plans.

Preparation of planning report.

Documentation sent to the client for review with the invoice.

Upon approval and payment of the invoice, compile and submit the planning application to the council. Council fee applies.

Planning application lodged and council fees paid.

Application allocated to the council planner for assessment.

Council refers the application to various service authorities and internal departments for comment and review.

Council requests any further information required and identifies any issues.

Authorities respond with consent, conditions, issues or objection.

Millar Merrigan responds to further information (time frame is based on the requested information).

Council/authority meetings may be required at this step.

Note that additional fees may be applicable for a response to further information/authority meeting.

Town planner re-refers the application to all relevant servicing authorities and internal departments.

Council issues public advertising. Council fees apply.

Any objections to be reviewed and a written response prepared as required.

A council meeting or consultation meeting may be required at this stage, and the time frame is dependent on the council. Additional fees may apply.

Council town planner prepares a delegate report and recommendation.

Report recommendation is reviewed by a team leader and a decision on the application is made.

If the recommendation is in favour of an application, a planning permit or a notice of decision (NOD) (if objections are received) will issue.

If conditions are unreasonable, an appeal can be lodged at VCAT.

Where an application is refused, you will have the option to appeal the decision at VCAT within 60 days.

Note that any objectors can also lodge an appeal against the council's decision to issue a NOD.

Planning permit issued.

Permit summary and post permit fees.

Meeting with Millar Merrigan to review permit conditions and authorise the next stage of works.

Condition 1 changes (if required) are prepared and submitted to the council for endorsement. The time frame is dependent on condition changes.

Tasks are allocated to relevant departments: 

• Civil engineering plan
• Subdivision survey
• Servicing applications º
• Working drawing plans º
• Structural engineering plans
• Section 173 agreement (if required)

Survey field work completed.

Plan of subdivision prepared and sent to client with form one to sign and return.

Submitted to the council for certification. A council fee applies. 

Servicing applications made to all authorities. Authorities have 28 days to respond. 

º Preliminary working drawings provided to client for approval. We recommend that you get your builder to review.

▴ Servicing offers received by authorities. MM explains offers to clients. Levies and physical works may be required. We can provide details for contractors that may be able to assist. These are third parties not associated with MM. Fees are payable directly to contractors.

▴ Endorsed town planning plans received from the council.

Engineering plans are sent to the client for review. If the client has engaged a builder, MM recommends that this is also sent through for their comment.

Engineering plans submitted to the council for approval (if changes are requested by the client, the time frame extends).

º Working drawings finalised.

º Structural engineering undertaken and sent to client for review.  

▴ Engineering plans approved. 

▴ Plan of subdivision certified by the council if subdividing only.

º Client to engage builder or contractor for site works and provide them with all relevant documentation. 

Site works progressing or coming to completion.

Contractor/client to arrange inspections and works certificates to obtain a council statement of compliance (SOC).

º Builder provided with all documentation to arrange a building permit.

MM to assist through the build progress to satisfy planning permit conditions and obtain SOC by managing documentation between the contractor and the council. Once compliance is achieved, we will provide your conveyancer with the necessary documents to lodge for separate titles. 

º▴ Build ready to commence (depending on the building surveyor's time frame to obtain a building permit).

MM to liaise with the council to obtain SOC once all permit conditions are satisfied.

MM to provide the conveyancer/solicitor with SOC ready to lodge at the titles office.

Planning permit issued.

Fee proposal signed by client. Millar Merrigan engaged.

Permit summary prepared and tasks are allocated to the relevant departments:

•  Engineering plan
• Subdivision survey
• Servicing applications
• Section 173 agreement (if required)
• Landscape

Condition 1 changes and the plan of subdivision are prepared and submitted to the council for endorsement. 

Survey fieldwork completed.

Functional layout plan is to be prepared and submitted to the council for approval. Easements to be taken into consideration.

Engineering and landscape design commences.

▴ Plans endorsed by the council.

Plan of subdivision submitted to the council for certification.

Servicing applications made to all authorities.

Servicing agreements received and executed.

Servicing negotiations for application responses.

Design for electrical, NBN, sewer, water, etc. 

▴ Detailed engineering and landscape plans submitted to the council for approval.

Preliminary schedule of quantities.

Tendering for roads, drains, sewer and water.

▴ Engineering plans approved by the council.

▴ Plan of subdivision certified by the council.

Contractor engaged and arranges inspections and works certificates.

Plan checking and supervision fees paid.

MM to hold pre-start meeting.

Schedule of quantities and contracts finalised.

Site works to commence.

▴ Authorities to inspect.

MM to do periodical inspections, as outlined in the fee proposal.

Site works are progressing until completed.

▴ Council to do final inspection.

▴ Authorities to do final inspection.

Bonds paid.

MM to liaise with the council and authorities to obtain consent to the statement of compliance (SOC) once all permit conditions are satisfied.

▴ Council to issue SOC.

MM to provide the conveyancer/solicitor with SOC ready to lodge at the titles office.