SBO Express Lane
When a Special Building Overlay (SBO) is the
Council must refer a planning application for a property in an Special Building Overlay (SBO) area to Melbourne Water.
To get a faster result on your planning permit application for land with a SBO, the Express Lane process directs you to Melbourne Water first.
- Save money and time in the planning process.
- Avoid the need to re-apply to Council for changes to your plans later on.
- Council deals with your plans quicker and often in only 15 working days.
- Council doesn’t need to refer your application to Melbourne Water.
Council has developed a Special Building Overlay (SBO) Express lane application and referral process guide (DOC 64Kb) (DOC 1Mb) to help you to lodge your application and guide you through the Melbourne Water and Council process. The guide explains the steps and tells you what information and forms you will need.
What is an SBO?
The Special Building Overlay (SBO) is a part of the Moreland Planning Scheme. The Scheme sets out how land can be used in Moreland with zones and overlays. All properties have a zone, and some properties have an overlay.
If you want to build on, renovate or develop your property, an overlay such as the SBO may affect part or all of your property and trigger the need for a planning permit.
If land has an SBO, do I need a planning permit?
The SBO allows flooding problems to be considered with any proposed development.
You need a planning permit to construct a building or to construct or carry out works in an SBO. This includes a fence and roadworks.
Sometimes the SBO only affects part of your land.
If the development you propose is not in the SBO area shown on the planning scheme map, then it does not apply.
Does my property have an SBO?
A copy of the SBO (Clause 44.05) and a map can be viewed on the Moreland Planning Scheme Online.
Can I use the SBO Express Lane for my planning permit application?
Council strongly encourages a pre-application meeting before you lodge an application. This meeting can also clarify information on the SBO Express Lane process and whether you can use it.
If I can use the SBO Express Lane, what forms do I need and how does it work?
Council has developed a Special Building Overlay (SBO) Express lane application and referral process guide (DOC 1Mb) to help people to lodge their applications. This guide explains the process and tells you what information and forms you will need.
What if the SBO is one of a number of reasons why I need a planning permit?
Where the SBO is one of a number of reasons why a planning permit is required, Council still encourages applicants to consult with Melbourne Water before lodgement. This may save you time in referrals and potential costly redesigns.
If you look at the Special Building Overlay (SBO) Express lane application and referral process guide (DOC 1Mb), steps 1 through to 5 can still be completed and the remainder of the planning application can be assessed normally.
Where other permit requirements apply, an application may be advertised by the mailing of notices to surrounding properties and possibly the display of public notice(s) on the site.
Need more information?
Contact Moreland City Council's Urban Development Branch on 9240 1111 or the Melbourne Water Land Development Team on 9235 2517.
