TRC streamlines lodgement process for privately certified building applications
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In a terrific win for the community, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has recently completed a project which streamlines the lodgement process for privately certified building applications across the region.
The ‘Privately Certified Application Optimisation Project’ went live on March 1 and sees all incoming documents relating to privately certified building approvals submitted online through TRC’s customer service portal.
TRC General Manager of Planning and Development Dr Nikola Stepanov said the completion of the project was a great win for the community with a significant reduction in processing time as well as creating a simplified user experience including an online payment system for lodgement fees.
“At the heart of this project was a desire to streamline a process and provide an improved experience for the lodgement of privately certified building applications and I’m pleased to say Council has delivered exactly that.
“The project involved enhancements to TRC’s Online Customer Service portal to allow building approval documentation and the lodgement fees to be processed online.
“Pre-project, the lodgement of privately certified documentation amounted to an average of 40-60 minutes per approval. In the 2022/23 financial year, Council processed 2,522 privately certified decision notices and 4,861 Notice of Engagements and Final Inspection certificates.
“The new process will mean the lodgement of all building approval documentation will now take a maximum of 15 minutes, saving thousands of hours of officer time and improving outcomes for Council and the community.
“I commend the team behind this project for delivering an improved level of service to customers and residents of the Toowoomba Region,” Dr Stepanov said.
For further information on privately certified building approvals and for a link to the online portal visit https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/planning-building/do-i-need-approval/building-renovating-projects/12813-electronic-document-lodgement-of-privately-certified-building-approvals