Notification and consultation
What is public notification?
Public notification, also known as public consultation or advertising, is the process of providing information to the community about planning applications made to the City of Fremantle. It is about involving the community in the decision making process to assist council to make choices on behalf of its residents and in the best interest of the community.
What is the City’s policy?
Public notification is not about shifting responsibility or jurisdiction away from council. Council’s policy aims to provide a balance between the need for the community to be informed of, and have reasonable opportunity for input into, planning proposals, and the administrative need to process planning proposals in an efficient manner, and within prescribed statutory timeframes.
At the City’s discretion or when required by the Local Planning Scheme No. 4, public notice will be given on planning proposals. Public notice may take the form of written notice being sent to surrounding owners and occupiers of land, notifying precinct groups, notification on our website, the holding of community information sessions, newspaper advertising and/or a sign being placed on site.
A submission period of not less than 14 days is required during which time written submissions on an advertised proposal are accepted by the City.
Please refer to council Local Planning Policy 1.3 – Public notification of planning proposals – for further details on when, how and why public notification is undertaken.
What can I expect by lodging a submission on an application?
Any written submission received by the City will be considered along with the proposal as part of the assessment process. The submissions received do not bind the City when making a decision. The City will acknowledge submissions within its legal responsibility and may act on a submission received taking into consideration the reasonable expectations and rights of both the submitter and applicant. All those who make submissions on a proposal will be notified of the final decision.
What is appropriate to include in a submission and how should it be made?
- All submissions need to be made in writing, addressed to our planning services team and received by the advertised closing date.
- Submissions should be clear, legible and include your name, residential address, contact details and indicate to which property and/or proposal the submission relates.
- Submissions should relate directly to the advertised proposal and should address planning matters associated with the proposal being considered. Submissions that do not specifically address the planning merits of a proposal with relevant and factual comments may not be considered, or will be entitled to little weight. The following list provides examples of comments that are not able to be considered:
- Management type issues, that is, how an activity or a business is conducted, or the possible behaviour of individuals/patrons/ customers.
- A possible effect on land value.
- Assumptions or hearsay.
- Judgments based on personal prejudices or bias. Examples include a dislike for the proponent or a dislike of any change.
- Issues that relate to religious beliefs, morals or ethics.
- Competition – an example being where a person considers there is an oversupply of a particular service and any additional service should not be permitted.
- Submissions may support, oppose or provide other relevant comments on a proposal.
Will the applicant become aware of who made a submission?
An opportunity to view documents, or provision of copies of submissions received during a public notice period will not be provided to any person, unless required by law. A written summary of the key issues raised in submissions will be provided to the applicant once only upon request in the case of an application for planning approval, a scheme amendment or structure plan. The summary will not include identification of the author/s of any submission.