A new and simplified process to electronically lodge planning applications at Wagga Wagga City Council is set to streamline assessment times and reduce costs to the community.
The lodgement of planning applications to Council in electronic format was launched on Monday, with applicants urged to take advantage of the new service.
Council’s Manager City Development Paul O’Brien said the new digital lodgement process has been trialled with some of the city’s regular developers to work through any issues.
“This process has many advantages for both Council and the developer or applicant,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Developers no longer need to print out large documents and can now lodge applications from their home or work without needing to come into the Civic Centre.
“For Council, it means paper records don’t need to be kept in archives for a number of years which comes at a cost to the community.
“It also takes out administration time at the start of the application process, which means the assessment process can start sooner.”
Mr O’Brien encouraged all applicants to embrace the electronic system as early as possible.
“Applicants will be offered the option to continue lodging applications in printed format, however, this will be discouraged as all printed documentation will be digitised upon lodgement and then destroyed and disposed of,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Anyone wanting to submit an application can come to the Civic Centre and speak with the Duty Planner at the customer service desk.
“Applicants can still opt to drop in a USB drive if they prefer but essentially Council has developed a range of new application forms and checklists that will guide the applicant in lodging their application electronically.”
The application forms and checklists are available to view and download at wagga.nsw.gov.au/planning
