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Town Planners usually handle planning permit applications. Town Planners advise if a planning permit is required or not, how the planning scheme affects a proposal and what the permit application requirements are. They provide Town Planning reports, assist other professionals involved in the permit application process (Draftsperson, Architect, Traffic Engineer, Environmental or Waste Management Consultant etc) and generally perform the functions required by the planning permit application process.
While planning applications can become complicated, a fair percentage of being a Town Planner is just good customer service, keeping the applicant aware of what’s going on and what’s coming up. It’s a detail orientated role that requires familiarity with different types of development, planning schemes and the planning permit application process.
At the end of the day, planning permits control development.
Across all the local Victorian councils each year, there are around 50,000 planning permit applications reported to the State government and published in the Planning Permit Activity Report (PPARS). These equate to around 40,000 planning permits that account for around $30 billion dollars of development. Planning schemes and permits have a significant influence on how and where that development takes place.
Town Planners have a role to play in streamlining and advocating within that process. They save time and simplify the process.
Town Planner, Planning Consultant and Urban Planner all refer to the same role.
There are two main types of Town Planners in Victoria, those who work for local Victorian councils or the State government and associated bodies, and those who work for private businesses as Town Planning Consultants.
In a nutshell, the State government provide a template, known as the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPS), which local councils use to form their planning schemes, and modify to suit the land within their municipalities. In councils, there are two types of planners. Those who are responsible for researching and amending planning schemes, known as Strategic Planners, and Statutory Planners who assess and issue planning permits.
In private business, Town Planners assist people and businesses get planning permits from any local council in Victoria. They understand and can advocate in planning scheme matters, both in the planning application process and in planning disputes, arbitrated by VCAT.
In Victoria, Town Planners may work for one of a dozen large multidisciplinary development consultancies, inhouse within a building or development business, or in one of thirty or so small independent Town Planning businesses, of which Victorian Smart Planning – Permit Application Services is one.
Planning Lawyers, on the other hand, work with in the field of law and are sometimes required in disputes regarding large contentious developments.
Technically you don’t need a qualification to be a Town Planner, but most planners will have a bachelor’s degree. I have a Master’s Degree in Urban and Environmental Management, with a major in Town Planning in Victoria. This ensures that I have a broad understanding of how planning schemes guide “the fair and orderly use and development of land”. For most permit applications, that’s an overqualification, but it doesn’t hurt.
Planners need to be qualified if they want to be associated with the Planning Institute of Australia, a national organisation that runs professional development courses and an awards ceremony. Membership is optional and fee based.