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Pre-lodgement meetings

Image of multi-unit development.
We recommend you obtain a PIM report for the following projects prior to lodging any applications. Read more >>

A pre-lodgement meeting is with you, your agents, and the relevant council processing staff and specialists to discuss your development proposal before you lodge any consents. We can identify any potential risks up-front and talk you through options making it more likely that you are able to submit a complete application, improving the processing time.

Who should have one?

You may benefit from a pre-lodgement meeting if your project meets any one of the following criteria.

Project is in the Isthmus

Building projects
Meetings are compulsory if:
  • commercial applications where the estimated value of proposed works is $4 million or more
  • residential applications where the estimated value of proposed works is $1 million or more
  • the project involves re-cladding where the building
    • is over 10m in height (outside E2/AS1)
    • contains apartments
    • has cladding or cladding systems that are not on the council's cladding register
    • is a complex dwelling of specific design
  • the new floor area of proposed works is more than 1000m2
  • there are four or more household units on site
  • the application relates to staged works
  • the way the building is used will change (eg will go from commercial to residential)
  • if building over two allotments
  • if establishing or creating a 'mixed use' development.
Meetings are recommended for:
  • applications that have been rejected previously for not providing full information
  • recladding works not addressed above
  • complex pool fencing projects
  • for the first building consent on a multi-unit subdivision
  • new premises or converting existing premises that will be used for the consumption of food and alcohol
  • any project that you think has complexities arising from drainage, flooding hazards or planning issues that would benefit from such a meeting
  • developments with complex drainage engineering issues, major infrastructure or public works
  • customers who are new to the building consent application process
  • customers with vexing issues that cannot be addressed by a lodgement officer in 15 minutes
  • any other project you think may be complex.
 

Land-use / subdivision projects
  • it's a large project, eg a shopping mall or apartment complex
  • the application is likely to be notifiedd
  • involves non-complying activities
  • involves more than four residential units or allotments
  • combined land-use and subdivision applications, or subdivision consents involving esplanade reserves or new roads
  • S125 and 127 applications
  • involves a bylaw dispensation

Project is in the Gulf Islands

Building projects

Land-use / subdivision projects
  • all commercial applications
  • estimated value of proposed works is more than $500,000
  • involves multiple units
  • involves recladding
  • new business or commercial unitt
  • involves multiple units
  • subdivision
  • event with amplified music
  • more than 18 per cent lot coverage
  • more than 4m over ridge line

Project is in the CBD

All projectss
  • involves non-complying activities
  • requires urban design assessment
  • involves bylaw dispensation

Request a meeting

Anyone can request a pre-lodgement meeting even if the project does not fall into any of the criteria above, however the final decision on whether a pre-lodgement meeting is required falls with council.

So that we can assess whether or not a meeting is necessary, we need to learn a bit about your proposed development.

Please complete this meeting request form or you can phone us during business hours to speak with a building officer or planner.

Cancel or reschedule a meeting

You may cancel or re-schedule a meeting up to 48 hours in advance of the meeting time without penalty.

Please phone us during business hours to speak with a building officer or planner, or email us your name and the original date and time of the meeting and we will get back to you within two working days to confirm cancellation or set up another meeting.

Fees and how to pay

There is a flat fee of $210.

This covers the costs involved for a planner, a building officer and a drainage engineer to prepare for the meeting, and for the first hour. Other council specialists will be involved if required, and this time will be charged based on time and attendance

Most pre-lodgement meetings will take about an hour, however if your development is complex the meeting may take longer, or you may need more than one meeting.

Payment should be made at the time the meeting is confirmed and can be made by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners Club) or cheque.

Updated January 2010