How to get a referral from a floodplain management authority in a Special Building Overlay (SBO)

Here is an example of the process of getting consent for a property in a Special Building Overlay (SBO) if your referral authority is Melbourne Water. This is required before you submit your VicSmart application to council.

If your proposal is eligible for the VicSmart process:

1. You can find out more information and submit your VicSmart application to Melbourne Water online here, or call their Planning Services Team on 131 722 to discuss your situation.
2. To apply for approval, you must submit a full set of plans showing:
   • site boundaries and dimensions
   • layout, size and use of existing and proposed buildings and works, including site, floor and elevation plans
   • setbacks between existing and proposed buildings and site boundaries
   • floor and surface levels of any existing and proposed building and works to Australian Height Datum
   • cross-section details of any basement entry or exit ramps (apex)
   • location, shape and size of the proposed lots if subdivision is proposed
3. Once submitted, they’ll respond to your application within 28 days with either their:
   • Consent to a permit being issued
   • Consent to a permit being issued under specified conditions
   • Request for more information
   • Objection to the application
4. If you receive consent, you can then lodge your application with the council to issue a VicSmart decision within 10 days.

Note: There is no fee for this service, but it does take up to 28 days.

If your proposal is not eligible for the VicSmart process

If your proposal is not eligible for the VicSmart process, it’s likely that it’s more complex and involves overlays other than the Special Building Overlay (SBO). It’s best to speak with the council about your proposal.

 Derived from: Get our consent for a council planning permit by the State of Victoria

If an application requires referral to a referral authority under Clause 66:

• The application must have been considered by the referral authority within the past 3 months of the application being made to the responsible authority.
• The referral authority must have stated in writing that it does not object to the granting of the permit for the proposal.

 Source: Operation of VicSmart Applications and Process by the State of Victoria