Planning Permit Application – Understanding Advertising and Objections

The public notification period, often referred to as advertising, is a standard part of the Victorian planning permit process. It gives adjoining property owners and the broader community an opportunity to review a proposal and provide feedback before Council makes a final decision.
During this stage, Council must consider any objections received. However, for an objection to carry planning weight, it must be based on planning merit. This means the concern needs to explain how the proposal will materially affect the objector, not simply express disagreement with the development.
For example, an objection such as “This proposal will increase traffic in an already congested street, making access more difficult and unsafe” is relevant because it identifies a potential planning impact. In contrast, statements such as “I don’t like the design” or general opposition without supporting reasoning are not considered planning grounds.
The public notification period runs for 14 days, including weekends. Once this period closes, Council confirms whether any objections have been received.
If no objections are lodged, Council will typically proceed to finalise their assessment report and issue a decision, either granting or refusing the permit. If objections are received, the application may be referred to a planning committee, internal panel, or in some cases a Council meeting for determination, depending on the municipality.
While objections do not automatically determine the outcome, the number and nature of objections can indicate how the proposal may be viewed by Council.
Even after advertising closes, Council may still accept late submissions. However, where no objections are received, it is generally appropriate to encourage Council to progress the application toward a timely decision.