Bass Coast Shire: how it rates

How does Bass Coast Shire’s planning department compare to other similar sized rural councils around Victoria in 2020/21:

• Time taken to decide planning applications = 110 days (compared to 64 days for similar councils). “The increase in median days from 99 days in 2019/20 to 110 days in 2020/21 is due to staff vacancies, complexity of applications and the technical challenges of working remotely during COVID-19,” explains the shire.
• “Planning applications decided within required time frames = 53 per cent (compared to 73 per cent for similar councils). “A decrease in the overall result from 66.87 per cent in 2019/20 to 53 per cent in 2020/21 can be attributed to staff vacancies, complexity of applications, increased customer enquiries and the technical challenges of working remotely during COVID-19,” the shire says.
• Cost of statutory planning service per planning application = $2270 (compared to $1872 for similar councils).
• Council planning decisions upheld at VCAT = 50 per cent (compared to 50 per cent). “Of the 500 planning applications determined in 2020/21, there were two VCAT decisions. One set aside Council's decision whilst the other upheld Council's decision.”

Source: knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/