Why Did Council Issue a Request for Information (RFI)?

You've lodged your Development Application, paid the application fees and waited patiently for Council to assess your proposal.

Then an email arrives.

Request for Information (RFI).

For many homeowners, it's an anxious moment.

"Has my Development Application been rejected?"

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Will I have to start all over again?"

Fortunately, the answer is usually no.

Receiving a Request for Information is a common part of the Development Application process and, in many cases, simply means Council requires additional information before it can continue assessing your proposal.

What Is a Request for Information?

A Request for Information (RFI) is a formal request from Council asking the applicant to provide additional documents, clarification or amended plans.

Rather than refusing an application because information is missing, Council provides the opportunity to address outstanding issues before making a determination.

In many cases, an RFI is simply part of the normal assessment process.

Why Has Council Issued an RFI?

Every Development Application is different, but some of the most common reasons include:

• Additional landscape documentation is required.

• Clarification of site calculations.

• Updated architectural drawings.

• Stormwater information.

• Tree protection measures.

• Bushfire documentation.

• Engineering details.

• Heritage information.

• BASIX amendments.

• Requests for additional consultant reports.

An RFI doesn't necessarily mean the proposal is unacceptable—it often means Council requires more information to complete its assessment.

Is My Development Application in Trouble?

Usually not.

In fact, many successful Development Applications receive at least one Request for Information during assessment.

Planning officers are responsible for ensuring they have enough information to properly assess a proposal against the applicable planning controls.

Where something is unclear or additional documentation is needed, issuing an RFI is often more efficient than refusing the application outright.

Does the Assessment Stop?

Generally, yes.

Once an RFI has been issued, Council will usually pause the assessment while waiting for the requested information.

The sooner the requested documentation is provided, the sooner the assessment can recommence.

For this reason, it's generally a good idea to review the request promptly and coordinate with the relevant consultants.

Common Landscape Requests

As a landscape architecture consultancy, some of the most common RFIs we encounter include requests for:

• A Landscape Plan.

• Existing and proposed landscape calculations.

• Deep soil calculations.

• Planting schedules.

• Tree retention plans.

• Landscape compliance with the Development Control Plan (DCP).

• Clarification of hard and soft landscape areas.

• Updated landscape plans reflecting architectural amendments.

These requests are often straightforward to address once the appropriate documentation has been prepared.

Why Wasn't This Picked Up Earlier?

This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask.

Development Applications are typically prepared by a team that may include an architect, building designer, pool builder or draftsperson.

Once lodged, the application is reviewed by multiple Council officers, including planners and, where relevant, landscape officers, engineers, arborists and other specialists.

During that review, additional information may be identified as necessary.

Receiving an RFI doesn't mean anyone has made a mistake—it often reflects the collaborative nature of the planning assessment process.

How Should You Respond?

The best approach is to:

• Read the request carefully.

• Understand exactly what information has been requested.

• Contact your consultant team.

• Coordinate any revised drawings or reports.

• Respond within the requested timeframe wherever possible.

Trying to guess what Council wants often results in further delays.

A coordinated response is usually the quickest path forward.

How Place Supply Can Help

Place Supply regularly assists homeowners, architects, builders and pool contractors responding to Council Requests for Information.

Our documentation-focused consulting services include:

• Development Application landscape plans.

• Existing and proposed landscape calculations.

• Deep soil assessments.

• Swimming pool landscape documentation.

• Landscape compliance reviews.

• Planting plans.

• Consultant coordination.

Whether Council has requested additional landscape information or you're preparing a revised submission, we can provide clear, practical documentation that addresses the issues raised and helps move your application forward.

Learn more about our consulting services at https://www.placesupply.com.au/consulting.

Final Thoughts

Receiving a Request for Information is not a refusal, and it doesn't necessarily mean your project is at risk.

In many cases, it's simply part of the Development Application process.

By responding promptly with coordinated, high-quality documentation, you can help minimise delays and keep your project moving towards approval.

If your Council has requested additional landscape information, engaging a landscape architect early can make the process significantly smoother.