I HAVE had a nightmare three years trying to liaise with the Bass Council Planning Dept with a planning application.
It started when I rang the planner in charge of my application with a few questions and she refused to listen to my questions or to discuss the issues.
Then followed requests for documents that were not needed under the regulations and months of waiting for replies and advice.
The final frustration came after I was issued with the Planning Permit because three weeks later I received notification that the Planning Dept had failed to complete the ‘objection process’ and that they were withdrawing the approval. I then had to go through a VCAT process that took four months to complete, so I lost four months of my two years.
I asked the planning dept to extend my time by the four months I had lost. Back came the answer, pay an application fee of $400 and put in an application for an extension. I was flabbergasted but not surprised.
A senior member of the Planning Dept then contacted me and gave me advice on how to proceed. I submitted an application for an exemption to the application fee and also an extension to the time period for sale, both were granted.
It just shows what can be achieved when a person has a little empathy and good customer liaison skills.
I must say that my day-to-day dealings over 16 years with the Planning Dept have been great, they have returned calls and emails promptly with helpful information and advice, however the experiences from the above lengthy process brought my high regard for the Planning Dept down a few notches.
Phil Mackenzie, Kilcunda
