Should you use a town planning consultant?

When you’re embarking upon a comprehensive development project, you’ll be only too aware that time is money, and often its wrangles with councils that are the cause of delays. So is it worth using a town planning consultant to ensure your development gets the council approvals it needs?

It all depends on your situation. Generally speaking town planning departments oversee and govern how land is used. So if you’re subdividing land, applying for a zoning change, building a new property, or even undertaking extensive renovations to an existing property, you will likely need the approval of the town planning department in your local council. You must be able to convince the council of the merit of your project in order to obtain their approval.

A town planning consultant can help you through this process. They have an intimate understanding of the planning process and are familiar with state and local government policies and regulations. In some cases, they may have previously worked within a local council giving you valuable insider knowledge and contacts.

Their role can involve liaising and negotiating with local and state government departments, handling of correspondence, lodging of necessary documentation, and providing responses to objections. Importantly, they can provide specific advice on your proposed application, anticipate and address potential issues, and have the expertise to best present your proposal to improve the likelihood of approval.

In many cases the decision to use a town planning consultant is advisable if the project is complicated or likely to present a number of issues in regards to planning regulations. If this is the case, get a town planner involved in the early stages which can end up saving you considerable costs by avoiding major revisions of plans. If possible, even seek the advice of a town planning consultant before purchase during the due diligence stage. This may bring to light possible concerns which could affect your decision to purchase, saving you from costly mistakes.

At the end of the day, utilising a town planning consultant may cost a few thousand dollars or more depending on the nature of your development. But delays in council approval could set you back further if you choose to go it alone. 

For more information on how Momentum Wealth can assist you with your property development, contact Emma Everett on 1-800-000-159 or email info@momentumwealth.com.au

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