Tag Archive for: Business Permits
Are you in the process of setting up a business as a Licensed Motor Car Trader (LMCT)? Sounds exciting! Before you can apply for your motor car trader’s licence, and before you start to set up your car yard, there’s another important step you may need to take: that is obtaining a planning permit from your local Council.
Why do LMCTs often need a Planning Permit?
Zoning Regulations: Different locations across Melbourne and Victoria are zoned for different types of use—residential, commercial, industrial, etc. The zoning of your property may mean that a Planning Permit is required for your car yard..
Other permit triggers: Other factors that may trigger the need for a planning permit are access being proposed onto a main road, vegetation removal, or additional planning overlays that can impact properties.
What do Councils consider in their assessment?
Land Use Compatibility: This ensures your car yard won’t cause issues like traffic congestion, noise, or environmental problems for the surrounding area.
Development Control: This allows local councils to manage how land is developed if you are proposing any buildings or works, ensuring appropriate bult form outcomes for the locale.
How to apply for a Planning Permit to become a Licensed Motor Car Trader (LMCT)
If you find this list daunting or stressful, AS Planning can help you throughout the Planning Permit application process, please contact us to have a chat. We can assist businesses across Victoria.
- Check Zoning, Overlay and Other Policy Requirements
- Reach out to your local Council or check their website to see the zoning and overlay rules for your proposed location.
- Understand the specific requirements and restrictions in the planning scheme for your area.
- Pre-Application Meeting
- Schedule a meeting with the planning department of your local Council. This can help you identify any potential issues early on and clarify what you need.
- Prepare Your Application
- Application Form: Get the planning permit application form from your local Council and fill it out, noting some councils preferred online applications
- Important Supporting Documents: There are documents you will need to include with your application, including a copy of title for the land, plan(s), and a town planning report justifying the use and/or development.. You may also require additional documentation such as a traffic report by a traffic engineer, details of proposed business signage and any other specific information required by your local Council.
- Fees: There will be a permit application fee from Council, as well as consultancy fees to factor in for the specialist reports and any professional advice required to support your application. These fees will vary depending on your proposal and the complexity of your application.
- Submit Your Application
- Lodge your completed application and all supporting documents with your local Council.
- Council Review and Public Notification
- The Council will review your application and might ask for further information.
- Your application may be advertised to the public so neighbours and other stakeholders can give feedback.
- Assessment and Decision
- The Council will consider your car yard application, any public feedback, and decide whether to grant or refuse the permit. They might attach conditions to the permit if it’s approved.
- Compliance and Implementation
- If you get the permit, make sure you follow all the conditions set by the Council.
- Don’t forget to get any other necessary permits or licenses, like building permits if you’re constructing new structures.
Additional Tips
- Environmental and Safety Regulations: Make sure your car yard complies with all environmental and safety rules.
- Business Registration: Ensure your business is registered and meets all legal requirements to operate as an LMCT.
- Get help with Planning Permit Application: If you need support, AS Planning can assist you through the planning permit application process – no matter where you are located in Melbourne or across Victoria. Contact us to find out how we can help you.
- Written planning advice may be required: It may be that a planning permit is not required for your business. In this instance you may be required to apply for formal written confirmation from your local Council. AS Planning can also assist you with receiving such advice from your local Council in a timely manner.
By following these steps, you can smoothly navigate the process and get your car yard up and running in compliance with local regulations. Good luck with your application!
Exciting news for some manufacturing businesses! As of November 2023, the Industry Growth Program announced applications for funding were open to SMEs and Start Ups within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas. Eligible businesses can now apply for funding to help commercialise innovative manufacturing ideas and grow their businesses. For some of these businesses, it may mean setting up a new manufacturing facility.
Fitting out or constructing a purpose built manufacturing facility in Victoria can involve a number of approvals, including a planning permit.
Requirements can vary depending on your specific location, the scale of your operation and the type of products you are manufacturing, it is always best to check specific requirements with your local Council and a Planning Consultant like AS Planning.
**The below list is not planning advice.**
Here is a list of 7 common planning considerations for Manufacturing & Processing Facilities in Victoria:
1. Planning Zones:
In Victoria, the Planning Scheme designates different zones for different types of land use. You would typically need to ensure that your chosen location is zoned appropriately for manufacturing activities, with Industrial zoning generally being the most appropriate. It’s essential to ensure that the zoning of the location for your manufacturing and processing facility is accommodating of the use, and that the location is strongly supported by relevant policy and legislation within the local Planning Scheme.
2. Planning Overlays:
In addition to zoning, land may also be covered by additional overlays. These can involve additional permit triggers and policy for a specific site or region. Examples of overlays are Heritage Overlays, Environmental Overlays, Flooding Overlays and Built Form Overlays. If the location of your Manufacturing and Processing facility is affected by overlays it can have significant consequences for your business and any proposed development.
3. Environmental Impact Assessment:
Manufacturing products may involve handling chemicals or producing waste materials, which may trigger certain planning requirements around ‘uses with adverse amenity potential’. You may need an environmental impact assessment to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, generally set by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
4. Business Identification Signage and Advertising:
If your business involves external signage or advertising, you’ll need to consider the signage policies and regulations outlined in the local Planning Scheme. Different areas have different restrictions on signage depending on the location and surrounding neighbourhood character.
5. Parking and Traffic Impact Assessment:
Your Manufacturing and Processing facility may require a car parking reduction (if you can’t provide all required car spaces on site), or may generate increased traffic within the local road network. These are both important planning considerations that the local Council will assess. A traffic impact assessment may be necessary from a Traffic Engineer to justify these elements of your business.
6. Waste Management and Recycling:
Manufacturing processes often generate waste materials. You’ll need to address waste management and recycling requirements outlined in the local Planning Scheme, including methods of waste collection. A Waste Management Plan may be required by Council to justify the waste related processes of your business.
7. Vegetation Removal:
If vegetation is required to be removed to allow for a new Manufacturing and Processing facility, this could trigger the need for a planning permit, depending on a number of factors such as species of tree, size of the property, overlays on the property, etc. An Arborist Report and Native Vegetation Assessment may be necessary if a permit is required for vegetation removal.
Other approvals and considerations for Manufacturing & Processing Facilities in Victoria:
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage:
If your manufacturing facility is located in an area with Aboriginal cultural significance, you may need to comply with requirements that protect the cultural and historical aspects of the area, per the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. This could involve undertaking a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) which needs to be completed before a Planning Permit can be issued.
Building Permit:
Depending on the scale of your manufacturing facility, you may need a building permit to ensure that the construction and design of your facility comply with building regulations and safety standards. This is typically governed by the Building Act 1993 and the Building Regulations 2018.
Accessibility and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Compliance:
Ensure that your manufacturing facility meets accessibility standards outlined in the DDA to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
To determine the specific planning permits and requirements for your new manufacturing business, it’s crucial to consult with your local council and engage a planning consultant familiar with the Victorian Planning Provisions and Planning Schemes.
AS Planning can provide tailored guidance and ensure that you meet all necessary permits and compliance standards for your specific location and operations. Contact us today.
