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The Environmental Services Department performs a number of key functions within the Corporate Services directive of Council. The department is divided into four (4) fundamental areas, which cover;
1. Planning and Development
2. Health and Building
3. Compliance
4. Ranger Services / Law Enforcement
The Narrabri Shire Local Government Area in which Environmental Services has jurisdiction is arguably one of the most active and demanding LGA’s in regional New South Wales for its defined population. The department processes over 350 development applications, over 500 statutory planning certificates, registers and regulates over 250 food and licensed premises, processes and determines over 300 construction certificates, registers and regulates over 1000 on site sewer disposal systems, processes and responds to over 900 complaints, manages over 250 domestic animals per annum and processes and responds to over 7,500 enquiries and requests for advice and information per annum.
In addition, Environmental Services determines on average $24 million worth of developments per year, whilst the strategic function also develops strategies and policies which provide future direction and land use planning within the Local Government Area, to guide such development in a sustainable manner.
The department is resourced with fully qualified staff who provide both professional advice and carry out Councils statutory obligations in accordance with state legislation and also Council’s policies and procedures.
The professional areas and staff include:
Vacant
Mr Nick Wilton
Mr Syed Ali
Mr Greg McCann
Ms Anna Chappell
Mr Justin Mann
Mr Phillip Durrant
Mr Joshua Davidson-McLaren
Maria Revell
Within the recent Department of Planning’s Reform Discussion Paper, Narrabri Shire Council was awarded the highest ranking LGA in regional New South Wales as having the highest Complying Development percentage as to Development Applications processed. In summary, Council determines applications faster and achieves better outcomes for sustainable development within the Shire. Environmental Services is striving to process applications faster and achieve better planning outcomes for the region.
Environmental Services section has a number of goals as part of its customer service charter;
- Determine Development Applications (that do not require additional information or Govt Referrals) within a forty (40) day period.
- Determine Complying developments within seven (7) days.
- Determine 149(2) and 149(5) Certificates within a seven (7) day period.
- Provide confidence in complaint handling and resolution.
- Maintain a high level of order and compliance within the Local Government Area.
Planning is a difficult and quite often complex and adverse discipline which requires a great deal of expertise and research in order to provide best practice principles. This section of the website has been prepared as a tool to facilitate both communication of quality information whilst also allowing provision of correct documentation and procedures for lodgement of your application. Should you require further assistance in your development, wish to determine whether your development requires consent or further, have any queries relating to a prospective development, Council encourages you to contact Environmental Services by calling (02) 6799 6855.
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