RFI Request for Further Information:
Councils have 42 days to assess a Development Application. If they or their advisory bodies such as TasWater form the opinion that the application needs further supporting Reports or advice they have the right to forward a Request for Further Information (RFI) to the applicant.
The 'clock' stops whilst this request is made and satisfied.
We usually advise clients that:
"We advise that even though the proposal complies with Council’s planning for the area, approval is not automatic. Recent experience would indicate that Council’s might also need to be determining the effect on the amenity of the area of the development.
Such matters as overshadowing, useability of private open space, solar access, driveway location, vehicle movements and height and scale of the potential development may need to be considered. (Council could also ask for details of the extent and type of vegetation on proposed lots, details and a report on the landscape and scenic issues of the site, details of waterways on and within the immediate area, including water holes and dams, details of contours on the entire site, a longitudinal section and cross sections of any proposed road, compliance with fire requirements, method of creek or river crossings and the like). Having regards to these matters, we advise that we may receive a request from Council to provide additional information relating. We feel now that it is more cost effective to lodge the application without providing such additional information and await feedback from Council.
For example, a recent request from a local Council sought advice on the following matters:
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Land capability (agricultural potential);
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Bushfire hazard assessment;
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Biodiversity assessment;
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Visual impact assessment;
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On-site waste disposal;
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Access;
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Impacts on adjoining Creeks and other waterways.
Whilst we are not experts in the above fields, we advise that reports attending to the above matters or similar are not cheap, hence our reluctance to provide with a preference to wait to see what Council's issues are and respond to their queries."
In a residential area good example of such an RFI is TasWater's requirement that an Engineering Report is prepared reflecting the current and proposed servicing of a Residential Subdivision. If such a report is not prepared at the time of lodging TasWater will issue an RFI.