Planning panels independently review submissions we receive to proposed Heritage Overlays.

Council will request the appointment of an independent Panel after the formal exhibition process, if it has received submissions that cannot be resolved.

The Minister for Planning appoints the panel members based on technical ability. Panel members are not Council employees.

You can participate in the hearing process. If you decide not to, the Panel will still consider the written submission you provided to us during the public exhibition stage.

Once appointed, the Panel will schedule a hearing timetable and organise the circulation of any expert evidence prior to the hearing.

Council usually presents its case first and may call subject matter experts to give evidence.

All other parties will then have the opportunity to present their submissions and to have any expert witnesses they have engaged present evidence. Expert witnesses can be cross-examined by all parties.

Following the hearing, the Panel will provide a report to Council with non-binding recommendations. We will release this report to the public within 28 days of receipt.

We will then respond to each recommendation in a report presented to the Urban Planning Delegated Committee of Council.

Council may decide to accept all, some or none of the Panel recommendations. If adopted, Council will submit the amendment with or without changes to the Minister for Planning for approval.

To learn more visit our website.