As part of their commitment to improve statutory planning service delivery and customer experience, Alpine Shire Council invites community members to speak to a Statutory Planner in the first of a series of Planner-in-Residence sessions.
At the June Ordinary Council Meeting 2025, Council noted a report that outlined actions being undertaken to improve the statutory planning experience for customers across Alpine Shire.
This report was developed in response to a degradation of service delivery in statutory planning services over the past three years due to an increase in the volume and complexity of incoming planning applications, as well as a substantial turnover of staff.
As a result, Council implemented a range of initiatives to improve the customer experience, one of which includes Planner-in-Residence sessions in the townships of Mount Beauty and Myrtleford to provide an accessible and equitable service outside of Bright and surrounds.
Community members are invited to book an opportunity to speak to a Statutory Planner for up to 30 minutes to seek preliminary planning advice.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, congratulated the Statutory Planning team on their achievements over the past seven months.
"What began at 184 live applications in March of this year has now reduced to 116 live applications in September, with an additional 93 new applications received during this time" she said.
"I am confident that, with the implementation of these new initiatives, community members can plan for their futures knowing that their applications will be processed in a timely manner."
Community members can book their 30-minute session with a Statutory Planner for 2025 by visiting: https://outlook.office.com/book/PlannerinResidence@alpineshire.vic.gov.au/
The Planner-in-Residence sessions will become a monthly service, held at the libraries in Mount Beauty and Myrtleford, from February 2026. Sessions dates and times will be advised in the new year.
These sessions will provide preliminary planning advice only. Conversations cannot provide certainty regarding planning outcomes or advise on other matters outside of the remit of local government planning, including issues on Victorian Government or Crown land.
For more information about improvements to the statutory planning service, community members can view the agenda and minutes for the July and October Ordinary Council Meetings by visiting https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-council/council-meetings/council-meetings-2025