Can I obtain more information about the Proposal?

    Yes. Large scale site plans, plans, elevations and other relevant information is available for public viewing at the Administration and Civic Centre, 244 Vincent Street (cnr Loftus Street), Leederville between 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) or at the Library and Local History Centre during opening hours.

    You may also contact the Planning Officer, whose name appears on the consultation letter.

    What should my submission say?

    Your submission should clearly state the reasons why you object to, or support the development proposal and should relate directly to the variations proposed by the development to the standards of the Scheme, the Codes or any relevant planning policies as identified in the referral letter. Typical variations that may arise include privacy; overshadowing; height, bulk and scale; streetscape and character; and car parking.


    A good submission is:

    - Brief and to the point: If your submission needs to be lengthy because of the issues involved or a number of grounds for objection, then it is a good idea to include a single page summary sheet for easy reference. 

    - Supported  by reason and facts: Take the time to gather the facts. Talk to the Planning Officer who is dealing with the application prior to writing your submission and make sure that you understand what is proposed. Base your submission on the facts, not on hearsay. Once you are sure of the facts, prepare your submission based on how the proposal will affect you and the enjoyment of your property.


    As the responsible planning authority, the City is not authorised to consider non-planning matters. Therefore, submissions which are based on civil or non-planning matters will not be considered. Examples of such matters include possible impact on property values, vistas or dividing fences.

    What if I am satisfied with the proposed development application? Do I have to make a submission?

    If you are satisfied with the proposed development, you can provide the City with a submission of support.

    It is important for the City to understand the range of views across the community.

    In any case, a Officer will make an assessment of the proposal and all submissions received from the community. This includes matters including but not limited to building design, overshadowing, privacy, noise, traffic and parking.

    What will happen to my submission?

    Your submission, along with others received, will be considered as part of an overall assessment. In some cases the concerns raised in submissions may be forwarded to the applicant for their response (your personal details will not be disclosed). Sometimes this leads to a redesign of the development. 


    The submissions received form part of the assessment of an application and must be balanced with the City's statutory obligations. 

    The City is obliged to determine a development application within 90 days. Given this timeframe, it is not usually possible to have a second community consultation period for a redesigned development application. However, if you make a submission and elect to be kept informed on the Community Consultation Form, the Planning Officer will advise you if and when the matter is to be determined by Council or the Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP).


    You can also contact the Planning Officer handling the application for information on any changes to the proposed development following on the community consultation process.

    If the application is determined under delegated authority, you will receive a written response to the matters raised in your submission directly from the City. If the application is determined by Council or the JDAP, a response to the matters raised in your submission will be included the relevant attachment in the report to Council or the JDAP.

    Will the applicant or anyone else know that I have made a submission?

    The Council has a policy relating to Privacy Management and will not disclose names and other personal information to a third party, without your prior consent. The Council is subject to the Freedom of Information laws and does not publish the names or addresses of those who make submissions. However, in some circumstances the applicant may be advised of the source and issues raised in the submissions to enable them to resolve any problems raised. You will be advised in such cases.

    Should I sign a petition?

    You may find that someone has started a petition to object or support a development proposal. Someone may also ask you to sign a proforma letter (this is a standard letter signed by various people). The City will consider any petitions or letters which are received. However, an individual letter about how the proposal will affect you gives the City a much clearer picture of the likely effects.

    Can a decision be appealed?

    Once a decision has been made, the applicant can appeal that decision or any element of the decision to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) if they are dissatisfied with the outcome.

    Third party participation in planning appeals

    Generally there are no third party appeal rights in relation to planning decisions in Western Australia, however, in certain circumstances it may be possible for a third party to participate in a planning appeal. The usual way is for a third party to provide a witness statement to the City and, if required, to give evidence at the hearing. 

    In certain circumstances (e.g. a legal or some other direct, material or special interest), the SAT may allow a third party who has a sufficient interest in a matter to make a submission – it should be noted that generally, it is not sufficient that the third party holds genuine and strong views or has taken an active interest in relation to the matter even when the third party is a body such as a community group or association. A third party who wishes to make a submission should write a letter to the SAT, to explain their position.
    Further information may be obtained by visiting the SAT website www.sat.justice.wa.gov.au or by telephoning (08) 9219 3111.

    What is the Development Assessment Panel (DAP)?

    DAP's, which service every local government area in Western Australia, came into operation on 1 July 2011. 

    DAP's are independent entities answerable to the Minister and do not sit under the Department or the WAPC. 

    DAP’s determine applications as if they are the responsible authority under the relevant planning instrument, such as the local planning scheme or region planning scheme, where applicable. Under the DAP Regulations, any application which qualifies as one that can be determined by a DAP cannot be determined by local government or the Western Australian Planning Commission.

    What is the difference between a Development Assessment Panel (DAP) and a Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP)?

    There are two types of Development Assessment Panel (DAP), a Local Development Assessment Panel (LDAP) and a Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP). 

     An LDAP is established to service a single local government, where it is deemed to be a high-growth local government where the volume of development applications necessitates its own DAP. There is currently only one LDAP which covers the City of Perth.

    JDAPs are DAP’s established to service two or more local governments. The City of Vincent is covered by the Metro Inner-North JDAP.

    Who sits on the Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP)?

    The JDAP is comprised of five (5) members, including three (3) specialist members (one of which is the presiding member who must hold a planning qualification) and two (2) Local Government elected members:

    Specialist Members - The Metro Inner-North JDAP specialist members are listed here(External link)

    Local Government Members - The City of Vincent Local Government JDAP members are listed here(External link)

     The JDAP panel members for this application will be confirmed at the time that the meeting is scheduled and listed in the meeting Agenda.

    Can I attend the DAP meeting and/or make a presentation to the DAP panel?

    DAP meetings can be attended by members of the public.  If you have made a submission in relation to the above application, you will have an opportunity to present your concerns/comments at the DAP meeting. Any submitter seeking to make a presentation to the DAP is required to complete the DAP presentation request form, and forward it to the DAP Secretariat, at least 72 hours prior to the commencement of the DAP meeting.

    The presentation request form is to be accompanied by a written document setting out the name of the person or representative of the group, the DAP application it relates to and the substance of the submission the person or group proposes to make.

    If a DAP presentation approval is obtained, each applicant and submitter will be advised by the DAP Secretariat. The presentation is limited to 5 minutes, unless otherwise approved by the Presiding Member.

    A copy of the agenda, including the report of the above-mentioned item, will be available five days before the meeting date on the DAP website.

    Should you have any queries regarding the meeting or your ability to address the DAP process, please contact the DAP Secretariat on 6551 9919.

    Will my building be damaged by the construction work?

    A ‘dilapidation survey’ will be carried out prior to commencement of works for the implementation of the development. The survey will record the condition of properties which could be impacted during construction.

    What happens if works do damage buildings?

    If you suspect damage is occurring to your building in the first instance the City recommends you speak with the developer. If you believe the damage is of a structural nature and is dangerous please contact the City's Compliance Services. 

    While the City can investigate and take action on matters of alleged damage to adjoining properties, we do not have the ability to 'direct' a builder to rectify the damage. This is a Civil Matter to be resolved between the landowner and the person responsible for the damage, or their insurer. 

    What are the restrictions on construction noise?

    Noise from construction sites is exempt from the Environmental Protection Act between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays) if the works are being carried out in accordance with Australian standards. Other works may be undertaken on Sunday and Public Holidays if they are 'quiet works' such as painting.

    Construction work may be carried out outside the permitted hours if the builder has obtained an out-of-hours construction approval from the City of Vincent Environmental Health Team.

    Who is responsible for asbestos removal during development?

    Developers and builders are responsible for safely managing asbestos during construction and acquiring the appropriate permits/licenses from WorkSafe (the licensing and permit authority for asbestos removal). Vincent's Environmental Health Team will be notified of proposed works involving asbestos material.

    For further information, visit our webpage on asbestos.

    How will rubbish and dust from the site be managed?

    The builder is responsible for ensuring that adequate measures are taken to contain refuse produced on the building site and prevent it from being blown off the site. If you have any concerns you can contact the developer directly by emailing northperth@celsius.com.au.