Planning & Development Service Charter

Our strategic initiatives

We have developed a range of key priorities and business planning initiatives aimed at delivering operational improvements across our planning and development functions.

Short term

(targeted for completion in the next 1-3 months)

• Implement a new pre-lodgement process
• Complete the standard conditions project
• Establish a Planning & Development Industry Reference Group
• Send regular industry alerts from the Development, Planning and Property Branch
• Progress and finalise the current major amendment to CairnsPlan 2016 ( PDF, 0.22 MB )
• Develop a service charter specific to Council’s Planning and Development functions
• Review and simplify the Building and Development Fees and Charges

Read industry alerts Industry Reference Group

Medium term

(targeted for completion in the next 4-12 months)

• Introduce a Risk Smart process for low-risk development applications
• Commence the next major amendment to the CairnsPlan 2016
• Deliver monthly community talk to the planner sessions (as a trial)
• Review and implement new process for siting variations
• Review delegations for development assessment matters
• Review internal referral process for development applications

Long term

(targeted for completion beyond the next 12 months)

• Investigate an E-Plan technology solution
• Prepare a Growth Management Strategy to inform the preparation of a new Planning Scheme

We are committed to continuous improvement

Whilst the initiatives outlined above aim to deliver operational improvements at a point in time, we are committed to a culture of ongoing feedback and the sharing of ideas.

If you have feedback about our Planning and Development services, please contact us via email or phone 1300 692 247 during business hours.

Issue resolution process

We acknowledge that sometimes you may not be satisfied with the service or advice you receive from us. If this occurs, we want to be able to effectively and efficiently respond to your concern/s by utilising the issue resolution process outlined below.

Assessing Officer (Planning Officer)

You will be informed of the Assessing Officer after lodgement.

Issues should be raised in the first instance with the Assessing Officer who is the Planning Officer assigned to your application. They are responsible for undertaking a detailed assessment of your proposal and are the best person to initially negotiate any issues. You can be confident that your Assessing Officer will liaise with relevant technical experts, peers and senior management to ensure they are providing accurate advice in accordance with relevant legislative requirements.

Planning Lead

If the issue cannot be resolved in consultation with the Assessing Officer, you may ask for the matter to be referred to the relevant Planning Lead or make contact directly. The Planning Lead is responsible for providing technical support and guidance to the Assessing Officer and, in most cases, will be the contact and decision maker for your application.

Contacts:

• Planning Leads:  Dylan Thomas (dylan.thomas@cairns.qld.gov.au, phone 4044 3593) or Isabella Kennedy (i.kennedy@cairns.qld.gov.au, phone 4044 3549)

Coordinator

Most issues should be resolved through consultation with the relevant Assessing Officer and /or Team Leader. However, if you continue to have concerns, you may request that the matter be referred to the Coordinator. The Coordinator is responsible for managing and resolving complex matters in their team.

Contact:

• Coordinator Development Services (Planning): Keanu Johnston (k.johnston@cairns.qld.gov.au, phone 4044 3600)
• Coordinator Development Services (Engineering): James Thorne-Stones (j.thorne-stones@cairns.qld.gov.au, phone 4044 3930)

Executive Manager

The Executive Manager is responsible for managing and leading staff to achieve the Branch purpose and goals, including achieving Branch performance targets.  If for some reason you are still not satisfied with the proposed resolution of your issue, you may request consultation with the Branch Manager. Our preference is that issue resolution occurs within the Branch rather than further escalation.

Contact:

• Executive Manager – Claire Simmons (c.simmons@cairns.qld.gov.au, phone 4044 3176)

Director

The Director is responsible for many diverse functions of a Directorate (department). Generally, their role is to prepare strategic plans achieve the Directorate's purpose and goals, including achieving their performance targets and their response to it through implementation plans for their Directorate's functions. Our preference is that issue resolution occurs within the Branch as they are the experts in their field. However, if for some reason you are still not satisfied, you can request the matter be escalated to the Director for resolution.

Contact:

• Director – Ed Johnson (e.johnson@cairns.qld.gov.au, phone 4044 3526)