Keeping a commitment to servicing affected Pomonal bushfire residents

Accelerating Ararat Rural City Council’s ongoing supporting for the fire affected residents of Pomonal, Council announced it was furthering its commitment by providing direct access to the Development & Regulation Manager Rob Fillisch who will be based two days a week at the Pomonal Community Hall to provide enhanced services to residents regarding planning issues.

The purpose of this initiative is to facilitate easier access for residents to seek guidance and assistance on various planning matters. The Manager Development & Regulation will be available for drop-in sessions at convenient times, allowing residents to discuss their concerns and queries without prior appointments.

Council aims to fully assist residents with planning inquiries and expedite the processing of applications wherever possible. While Council does not issue building permits directly, the Manager Development & Regulation will provide valuable guidance, directing residents to the appropriate channels and offering limited advice on building permit procedures.

Residents are encouraged to utilize this opportunity to seek clarification on planning regulations, discuss development proposals, and address any concerns they may have. Additionally, the Manager Development & Regulation will be available to field questions and provide follow-up responses as necessary.

The Manager Development & Regulation will be stationed in Pomonal every Wednesday and Thursday, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Pomonal Hall until at least the end of April. Council will assess the demand for these services and may consider extending the availability based on resident needs.

"We are committed to being here for the long term recovery process and ensuring that the planning and re-building process is as smooth and accessible as possible for our community," said Ararat Rural City CEO, Dr Tim Harrison. "We encourage residents to take advantage of these drop-in sessions and share any concerns or queries they may have. Our goal is to provide timely assistance and support to all residents as they recover and are always accessible."

Residents are welcome to bring forward any issues or questions they may have, and the Manager Development & Regulation will endeavour to address them promptly.

For further information, residents can contact Customer Services at 5355 0200 or visit the Facebook page for specified drop-in hours.