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Simulated workplace
Scenario · Planning and Building Services

Assess a change of use application in a heritage overlay

You are the Planning Officer in Planning and Building Services.

Intermediate3 to 4 hours8 tasks
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The situation

What has happened

Brightwater Bakery Pty Ltd has applied to change the use of its Main Street shop to a cafe with 30 seats, outdoor seating on the footpath and a new illuminated sign. The site is in the Commercial 1 Zone and the Heritage Overlay covers the whole Main Street precinct. Notice has been given and the adjoining residential neighbour has objected about evening noise from the outdoor seating. The statutory 60 day clock started on 2 September. Tom Kaczmarek wants a delegate assessment report with draft conditions, and the heritage adviser has raised concerns about the illuminated sign on a 1920s shopfront.

Your brief. Complete the assessment of application PA-2026-127 against the planning scheme and the objection, consult the heritage adviser, update the Planning Application Register, and prepare a delegate report recommending a decision with conditions that address noise, hours and signage.
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Tasks

Deliverables

  • Completed assessment report
  • Draft permit conditions
  • Updated Planning Application Register record
  • Delegate report with recommendation

Documents to use

Systems to use

Planning Application Register

Tracks every planning permit application from lodgement through referral, notice and decision within the statutory timeframe.

Customer Request System

Logs every request, enquiry and complaint received from the community and tracks it to closure against the service standard.

For trainers and assessors

Units of competency

Current on training.gov.au for the Local Government as at 10 September 2026.

LGAPLA001Interpret and apply development planning legislation, schemes and instruments
LGAPLA002Perform minor development assessments
LGAPLA005Protect heritage and cultural assets
LGACOR001Work in local government

Qualifications

LGA40120Certificate IV in Local Government
LGA50120Diploma of Local Government
Assessor notes

What to look for

Evidence guide

Look for correct identification of the zone and overlay controls, a balanced assessment that addresses the objection on planning grounds, evidence of consultation with the heritage adviser, and conditions that are enforceable and relate to planning considerations. The register record must reflect the statutory timeline accurately.

The student's evidence summary lists every record they created or changed in the systems named above, their notes and the tasks they ticked. Verify it against the deliverables and your own assessment tool.