We recently assisted our clients, VIVA, with a car park extension requiring a planning permit for building and works under the Greater Geelong Planning scheme. Securing planning approval for a car park in an Industrial Zone is often more involved than it first appears. Industrial land is intended to accommodate operational needs like vehicle storage, staff parking and access areas. However, approval is not based on use alone and Council also assesses how the land is developed. This is where complications can arise.
In this case, the size of the site triggered consideration of native vegetation. This introduced an additional layer of assessment that sits outside the zoning controls. It meant the application needed to address not just the car park layout, but also the potential impact on existing vegetation and whether removal could be avoided or minimised. For this project, the process began with a site visit alongside the client. Walking the site and reviewing the proposed layout early helped identify potential issues before the application was lodged. This step is often where delays can be avoided, as it allows key requirements to be addressed upfront.
Within a month, the planning permit application was submitted to Council. After lodgement, the application was referred to relevant internal departments. This is a standard step where Council reviews specific aspects such as traffic, access and environmental impacts. Shortly after, Council issued a Request for Further Information (RFI). This is also typical for most planning applications. An RFI pauses the application while council seeks additional detail to complete its assessment. Not all information requested was strictly necessary and it can be important to know when requests can be clarified or narrowed rather than simply accepted in full. In this case, we pushed back on items that were not required, while ensuring that all critical information was provided.
Because the client was preparing their own plans, there were also some gaps that needed to be addressed to avoid delays. This included a traffic management plan and a more detailed car park layout that aligned with Council expectations. Once the additional information was submitted, the application was re-referred to the relevant departments. They responded with no objection, subject to standard conditions. As the proposal did not require public notice, the application moved directly to the final assessment. Council’s planner then prepared a report and drafted conditions for approval under delegation. The planning permit was issued along with endorsed plans just over a month later.
Even when a use is supported, applications can be delayed if site-specific triggers like native vegetation are not identified early. Council will assess these requirements regardless of zoning, and they can influence both the level of documentation required and the overall timeframe. Requests for Further Information are also a normal part of the process. The key is not just responding to them, but understanding which items are essential and which may go beyond what is required.
Input from a town planner can be useful where a site is large, has vegetation constraints, or involves multiple referral authorities. In this case, the role was not to redesign the proposal, but to guide the process. If you are preparing a similar application for a car park or industrial use, and the site has vegetation or other constraints, it may be worth reviewing the proposal before lodgement.
