Swan Hill Rural City Council's Planning and Engineering teams are making a strong comeback following a challenging period of limited resources and staffing shortages - and the results speak for themselves.
Council's CEO, Scott Barber said the teams were under significant pressure in early 2023, managing high demand alongside a significantly reduced workforce, yet still processing 40 planning applications in the first quarter.
"In 2024, we focused on building the teams and streamlining internal systems, which allowed us to steadily increase our capacity and effectiveness."
The positive trend has continued into 2025, with the first quarter seeing 52 planning applications processed - the highest quarterly figure in the review period.
"This result is a clear sign that our efforts are paying off. With new planners on board and improved workflows in place, we're confident this momentum will continue," Mr Barber said.
Mayor Cr Stuart King said the team's progress is a testament to Council's resilience and commitment.
"We're now better placed to support residents, developers and the broader community," Cr King said. "Satisfying customer expectations within the guidelines of regulatory frameworks is not easy, but the focus by these teams to deliver results speaks volumes."
Mr Barber said the increased capacity means faster turnarounds, greater efficiency, and renewed trust in the local planning process.
"In 2024/25 we are currently exceeding 85% of planning applications approved within the statutory timeframes, where most Councils aim to exceed 70%. This is our second-best result in a decade, and I thank the Planning and Engineering teams.
"As the year progresses, the planning team remains focused on delivering a more efficient, responsive, and community-centred service - laying the foundation for a more responsive, efficient, and community-focused planning service," he added.
