Making A Submission

Any person (either a property owner or resident) who feels that their property or locality may be affected by a notified/advertised development can make a submission to Council.

Considerations When Making a Submission

In making a submission it is recommended that the following matters are considered:

Property owners (or anyone that has obtained the consent of the property owner) may lodge a planning application to develop land.
The lodging of a submission does not imply that Council will refuse the application or that if a submission of support is received that Council will approve an application.
Objectors to planning applications do not have the right to prevent the approval of a planning application or provide a right of appeal to the Land and Environment Court. Rights of appeal are only provided in specific circumstances (see Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979). There is an entitlement to request that legitimate concerns be considered during the consideration of the application.
The lodging of a submission does not mean that Council will necessarily support the reasons put forward for or against a proposed development.

Under applicable planning controls Council is required to consider planning applications having regard to a range of legislation including:

These planning controls provide certain entitlements to landowners. For instance, allowing the construction of industrial buildings on land that is zoned for industrial purposes provided that the design is able to meet the criteria contained within the relevant planning controls.

Properly Made Submissions

A properly made submission must:

Be in writing
Be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer
Be signed by each person who made the submission unless it is made electronically (i.e via email)
State the name and residential or business address of each person who made the submission
Clearly state what aspects of the plan or proposed development that is being supported or opposed
Be received by Council during the formal public notification period.

Sending a Submission

You can send your submission via:

Council's DA Tracker ;
Mail to: Wollondilly Shire Council, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571 or;
Email to council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au

Political Donations and Gifts

Any person who lodges a relevant public submission to Council in relation to a planning or development application is required to disclose reportable political donations and gifts (if any). These include gifts and donations made by the person making the submission or any associate of that person within the period commencing 2 years before the submission is made and ending when the application is determined:

all reportable political donations made to any local councillor of that council,
all gifts made to any local councillor or employee of that council.

The Disclosure of Political Donations & Gifts Form contains further explanatory information that will assist in completing the declaration.

What Happens if I Make a Submission?

Council (or the relevant consent authority) is required to consider all relevant matters that have been raised within the submissions made in respect to a planning or development application before making its decision. In addition to reviewing submissions received, Council also takes into account the following matters:

requirements of relevant planning instruments, standards and codes
suitability of the site for the development proposal
anticipated impacts of the proposed development
the public interest

Council may either approve (with or without conditions) or refuse an application. Should an application be refused, the applicant is able to appeal Council's decision in the Land and Environment Court or submit a request for a review of determination to Council.

How do I Find Out What is Happening?

You may track the progress of an application on Council’s DA Tracker or alternatively, phone Council's Customer Service Centre on (02) 4677 1100. Please note that you may also be contacted by Council’s development assessment staff to clarify any matters that you have raised in your submission or to be notified that the application is being referred to a Planning Panel for determination.

Following Council’s determination of an application, any person who has made a submission will be notified of the decision regarding this application.

Withdrawing a Submission

If you decide to withdraw your submission in respect to a planning application or do not wish to pursue your submission, you can withdraw it by writing to Council. You can also withdraw a submission conditionally, for example, provided certain amendments are made to the planning application.