Property owners and industry professionals can now fast-track residential planning applications through an online planning portal launched by the NSW Government.
From 1 January 2021, it will be compulsory to lodge development applications through the NSW Planning Portal, in a bid to create efficiencies and streamline planning processes across the state.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley said building a new house or renovating a property is a very exciting process and the NSW Planning Portal is a pathway to making the development application process easier and quicker.
"The portal is a great tool to assist both applicants and Council by improving application processing times, allowing people to track applications and stay informed at every stage, and reduce the administration burden on councils," he said.
Printed copies of application forms will no longer be available from the new year.
While submissions will now be made through the NSW Planning Portal, Council encourages property owners and industry professionals to utilise the expertise of Council staff and book a pre-development application meeting.
Council is able assist the public by providing the relevant instructions or toolkits to guide them through their submissions and booking a pre-development application meeting is an opportunity to request any assistance.
"Council is still conducting pre-development application meetings to help applicants meet industry standards with their applications," said Mr Tiley.
