Living in Dorset

Dorset Council provides community services based on the principles of quality, equity, value and responsiveness.

Visiting Dorset

Dorset has a unique blend of wilderness, wildlife, stunning scenery, mining heritage, secluded beaches and world class golf courses.

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  • Phone (03) 6352 6500
  • Fax (03) 6352 6509
  •  After Hours: 1300 858 824

Business community in Dorset

Dorset Council is focused on providing support to potential investors to facilitate sustainable developments large and small.

Contact us

  • Phone (03) 6352 6500
  • Fax (03) 6352 6509
  • After Hours 1300 858 824
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The requirement for a planning permit will depend on the zoning of the land, codes and special area plans that apply to the land.

The fees for the application are dependent on the status of your application and the value of the proposed works. Similarly, the time taken to assess your application depends on the status and complexity of your project.

To view additional information on fees associated with Development Applications visit our Fees and Charges Schedule.

Planning Permit Process

As with any detailed process, the below is provided as a guide. It is important to note that there are many variables to consider and that they will directly affect the timelines for your planning project.

Application for planning permit

You submit the application, including all relevant documentation and fees.

The Planning Permit Application Form outlines the information to be included with the application.

Your submission will be assessed to ensure all initial documentation has been provided with your application and we will contact you if further information is required.

Council’s Community and Development Services team will then lodge the application and send you the invoice to pay. Once it is paid, the application will be allocated to a Planning Officer for assessment.

We will refer your application to other Council employees, including an Engineering Officer and / or Environmental Health Officer.

The application may also be referred to external parties such as TasWater, TasNetworks, the EPA and Heritage Tasmania.

Once these officers have completed their initial assessment of your proposal, we will determine whether further information is required to advertise and / or assess your development.

If we need more information, we will let you know in a timely manner. Planning Officers have up to 21 calendar days* to request further information for discretionary planning applications and up to 14 calendar* days for permitted planning applications.

*if the 14th or 21st day lands on a public holiday, the time frame to request further information is extended until the next calendar day

Your application may require advertising, in accordance with the requirements of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA).

Members of the public have 14 calendar days** from the date of advertisement to lodge a representation with Council (as per the representation expiry date). This must be done in writing and should state the reasons why they support or object to the application.

Discretionary planning applications are able to be viewed within the advertising period here.

** if there is a public holiday anywhere within the 14 day advertising period, the period will b extended to reflect the amount of public holidays. However, the advertising period cannot finish on a Saturday or Sunday. e.g. Hobart Show Day=1 extra day; Good Friday and Easter Monday = 2 extra days

The time the assessment takes varies depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Assessment against the planning scheme provisions must be made. Planners consider both internal, and external referrals, and representations made by members of the public, either for or against the proposal.

Planning applications may need to be presented to the Councillors, who act as the Planning Authority, for determination at a Council Meeting.

Planning applications need to be presented to the Councillors if one or more opposing representations have been received. An extension of time may need to be requested in order to present an application to the Councillors within the statutory timeframe of 42 days.

For full Council meeting details, dates and agendas, click here.

We will issue a notice of our decision to approve or refuse the application.