Compliance

At Campaspe Shire Council, we’ve developed an approach to investigating not only breaches of planning laws, but also building, environmental health and local laws breaches. It’s called Compliance 11 and it aims to ensure consistency and fairness in all investigations by any enforcement officer.

It provides helpful advice if you want to make a complaint about a possible breach and informs you of the process Council undertakes when investigating potential breaches.

It outlines a working agreement between the community and Council in regard to everyone’s conduct during an investigation:

  • Treat each other with respect - Be polite and genuinely respectful.
  • Take the time to listen, hear and explain the situation, options and consequences - Take everyone’s situation as it comes, take the time to teach and learn.
  • Seek a shared understanding - Hear all sides of the story and keep it as simple as you can.
  • Meet our obligations and take responsibility for our actions -  Know the facts and be accountable.
  • Be truthful with each other - Honesty is the best policy so be open and transparent.
  • Be consistent and fair - Treat everybody equally.
  • Stick to agreed time frames - Take ownership, be flexible and realistic and keep your eye on the main game.
  • Tell each other when things change - No surprises and do not presume.
  • Be as practical as possible and have a positive attitude - Compliance is the main aim. Use common sense.

It also includes 11 guiding elements for Campaspe’s enforcement officers during any investigation.

You can download Compliance 11(PDF, 1MB) here or contact Council’s enforcement officers on 5481 2200 for more information.

Checking permit compliance

Council audits all planning permits after two years. All the work that has been done is checked to ensure it meets requirements. If further action is required, Council staff will advise the property owner and provide support in rectifying any issues. Once everything is in order, the permit is signed off.

Complaints

Complaints made regarding planning, building, environmental health and local laws are investigated by Council staff.

The risk associated with any issue that is the subject of a complaint is assessed, as is the complexity of the issue before staff decide how to proceed. For example, a complaint about 50 mature native trees being removed is very different from a complaint about a sign being erected.

Some compliance issues are of a more urgent nature than most and may require immediate action.

Fencing disputes

If you are having difficulty resolving a dispute over fencing with another property owner, please contact The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria on 5440 6100 or 1300 372 888. They can help you resolve issues with neighbours over things such as fences, noise, pets, trees, property damage or people’s behaviour.

The Fences Act in Victoria provides a formal process for resolving fencing disputes. The costs of resolving the dispute should also be shared. It is worthwhile noting that taking a dispute over fencing to the Magistrates Court may cost more than the fence.

Victorian local councils cannot help with fencing disputes between neighbours.