Northern Grampians Shire Council

## Northern Grampians Shire Council Planning Department Analysis **Northern Grampians operates as a cautious, resource-constrained council** focused on managing rather than driving growth across its rural municipality. With only 750 new dwellings targeted by 2051, they take a **measured approach to development** that prioritizes sustainable growth within established service centres. **Processing times tend to be longer than metropolitan councils** due to limited staffing resources typical of rural shires. Pre-application meetings are valuable given their preference for thorough upfront discussions, though scheduling can take 2-3 weeks. Standard applications often extend beyond statutory timeframes, particularly when referral authorities are involved. **Common delays include vegetation assessments** around the Grampians National Park fringes and heritage considerations in historic town centres like Stawell and St Arnaud. The council frequently issues RFIs for applications that don't clearly demonstrate compliance with rural living and township character objectives. **The planning department operates reactively rather than proactively**, with limited capacity for complex negotiations. They're **strict on protecting rural character** and natural environments, reflecting community expectations around the iconic Grampians landscape. **Strategically, they'll support modest infill development** in Stawell and St Arnaud but resist anything that appears to exceed their managed growth philosophy or threatens the region's tourism-dependent rural character.