Planning Permits needed for an Indoor Recreation Business?

Starting an indoor recreation business, such as a gym, play center, or sports facility, in Victoria can be an exciting venture. Whether you’re planning to open a fitness center, an indoor sports complex, or a trampoline park, understanding the planning permit process is crucial for getting your business off the ground. Here’s what you need to know about planning permits and how a town planning consultant like AS Planning can help streamline the process.

Understanding zoning requirements and how they may affect your indoor recreation business

The first step in setting up an indoor recreation business is to ensure your chosen location is zoned appropriately. Victoria’s zoning provisions within the relevant Planning Scheme dictate what types of businesses can operate in specific areas. For instance, commercial and industrial zones are typically more accommodating for indoor recreation facilities. However, it’s essential to verify this with your local Council. Your business may be of a category that does not require a planning permit at all (i.e. an exempt use). Or it could trigger the need for a planning permit so that the local Council can appropriately assess the business and ensure it is appropriate for the chosen location. In some circumstances it could also be that the use category that your business falls within is prohibited under the relevant zone. This can all be confirmed by a town planning consultant such as AS Planning, contact us for help.

When do you need a Planning Permit for your indoor recreation business?

In most cases, a planning permit is required if:

Your business type isn’t explicitly exempted in the zone.
You plan to make significant physical alterations to the building or land which trigger a planning permit for ‘buildings and works’.
Other factors are relevant to your business such as overlays that may impact the property, business signage or a car parking reduction.

For example, a gym or fitness center in a mixed-use area might trigger a planning permit and need to demonstrate how it will handle parking and noise to gain approval. Similarly, an indoor sports centre might need to show that it won’t disrupt local traffic flow, especially during peak hours.

Key planning considerations for indoor recreation businesses like Gyms, Trampoline Parks, Dance Studios and Play Centres

When applying for a planning permit, you’ll commonly need to address several key factors:

Traffic and Parking: The Council will evaluate how your business will impact local traffic and whether there are adequate parking facilities. This is particularly important for businesses like trampoline parks or indoor sports centers that attract many visitors. You will likely need to source a traffic report from an external consultant.
Noise and Operating Hours: You’ll need to consider how noise from your facility will affect nearby properties, particularly sensitive interfaces such as houses. Councils may impose restrictions on your operating hours, especially if your business is near residential areas. For instance, dance studios and martial arts studios might need to limit early morning or late-night classes.
Building Code Compliance: Any modifications to the building must comply with the Building Code of Australia. This ensures your facility is safe, accessible, and suitable for use as an indoor recreation facility. Whether you’re converting a warehouse into an indoor climbing gym or updating an existing space for an arcade and amusement center, compliance is essential.
Environmental Considerations: If your project involves significant construction or changes to the landscape, environmental impacts like stormwater management or waste disposal must be addressed.

How long is the planning application process for an indoor recreation business?

The process of obtaining a planning permit involves several steps:

Pre-Application Meeting: Arrange a meeting with your local Council to discuss your proposal and gather feedback. This can help you identify potential issues early on and make necessary adjustments to your plans. The more information you can provide Council at pre-application stage, the better the advice you will receive.
Submit Your Application: You’ll need to submit detailed plans and documentation demonstrating how your business complies with local policies and regulations. This can include plans, traffic impact assessments,town planning submssion and noise management strategies.
Public Notification and Objections: Your application may need to be advertised to the public, allowing time for objections. If there are objections, the approval process could be delayed, potentially requiring further modifications or discussions.

The entire process can take several weeks to months, depending on the complexity of your application and the Council’s workload. Should the application need to be heard at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), this can potentially add at least 6 months to the process.

How can a Town Planning Consultant help?

Navigating the planning permit process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for those unfamiliar with local regulations and policies. As a town planning consultancy, AS Planning can assist you in every step of the process — from site selection and zoning checks, to running the pre-application process with Council, to preparing and submitting your planning permit application. Our goal is to help you minimise delays, reduce the risk of objections, and ensure that your indoor recreation business is compliant with all necessary sections of the relevant Planning Scheme. Whether you’re planning to open a gym, play center, indoor sports facility, or any other type of indoor recreation business, professional guidance can make all the difference.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you turn your vision into reality with expert advice and support in securing your planning permits.