SUGGESTIONS
FOR NEIGHBOURS
1. Many people actually contact their neighbours to discuss
future plans and seek their views. If your neighbour does so,
extend the courtesy to at least hear their views and look at
their proposals. Many simple problems or concerns can be overcome
quickly at this stage if they understand your position (after
all, that is presumably why they asked you in the first place!).
2. If you receive notification of a neighbour's DA through the
mail, and are not on sufficiently good terms with him or her
to discuss their proposals directly, you should proceed quickly
to Council offices and ask to see the full set of plans and
supporting detail. Council officers should be able to explain
aspects of the proposal to you, but may not offer opinions on
their affect on you.
3. Be sure you understand key issues compliance such as building
heights, floor space ratios, setbacks, overshadowing and the
potential affect on your privacy.
4. If possible, discuss your problems with your neighbour
- there may be some flexibility in their design to overcome
your concern.
5. If your concerns are sufficient to warrant making a submission
to Council, you may find it helpful to discuss these concerns
with other neighbours who may also be affected. They may not
be aware of the potential impact of the proposal on your area
or, alternatively, they may have noted additional detail you
may have overlooked. Encourage them to make their own submissions
if you both feel strongly enough about the proposals.
6. Be reasonable and constructive, if you can, in any written
submissions you make, and be sure to get them in within the
allotted period of 10 days from receipt of notice. If you
feel that the 10 days is insufficient (eg - if you wish to
get professional advice), write to the Council as soon as
possible (and within the 10 day limit in any case) and indicate
your reasons for seeking an extension of time. In most cases,
this will be granted. If not, seek the help of your local
Councillor to have the submission accepted. Remember, however,
that the Council has an obligation to deal with the DA in
a timely manner and will not accept an indefinite delay.
7. If you have major concerns about the potential impact
of a DA on your amenity, and especially if you believe it
to be non-compliant with Council's requirements, consider
phoning one or more of your three East Ward Councillors. If
the situation warrants it, they can require the proposal to
be brought to the attention of Council's Planning and Building
Committee, rather than being dealt with more simply by Council
officers under delegated authority.
Return to PUBLIC REVIEW AND
COMMENT
|
