Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund (RRIF)

As part of the Government's 2004 election commitment, Promoting an Enterprise Culture, a $50 million Regulation Reduction Incentive Fund was established, to provide Local Government Authorities with incentives to press ahead with regulatory and compliance reforms that will benefit small and home-based businesses; for example through a reduction in the impact of regulation and associated compliance costs.
The program is managed by AusIndustry.

Gosford City Council's Fast Tracking Small Business program is designed to make it easier by providing information for people to find out if they need approval, and if so, how to seek and obtain approval to start a home-based business or small business in non-residential premises.

Small Business and Home Based Business Information

Small Businesses are typically owned and operated independently, with close control over operations and decisions held by the owners.

Categories of small businesses include:

• non-employing businesses - sole proprietorships and partnerships without employees;
• micro businesses - businesses employing less than 5 people, including non-employing businesses;
• other small businesses - businesses employing 5 or more people, but less than 20 people;

The categories of Small and Home Based Business on the business categories page are part of the RRIF project. They have been selected for this 12 month pilot project as they are the most common types of businesses people consider starting.

Purpose of the Guide

The purpose of this guide is to help applicants prepare and submit all of the documents required by Council for a Development Application (DA). Please note that the guide only deals with developments that involve the conversion of existing premises for another use (bed and breakfast accommodation, offices, shops). This conversion can involve interior renovations, alterations, fitouts and the like. It can also include minor external alterations and additions to a building(s).

By using the information and resources provided in the guide, and following the specified application process, you will be able to prepare applications that meet Council’s requirements.

Council has prepared this guide with the aim of saving you time and money in preparing and submitting your application. There is a short survey at the end of the guide. Upon submission of your DA, Council would greatly appreciate it if you could help by filling it in. As this is a pilot project your feedback will be important to Council in considering whether to expand this service in the future.

Preparing your Development Application

This guide provides information, tools and materials that will help applicants prepare and submit applications for a range of development types. The aim is to assist people and businesses wishing to obtain Development Approval.

• The guide is a tool that will take users through the process of preparing a development application.
• It provides access to the standards and requirements set out in Gosford’s town planning controls.

The guide provides the following:

1. The means to determine whether the development you wish to undertake is permissible.
2. Guidance on the preparation of a Development Application (DA).
3. Guidance on the preparation of an analysis that identifies the opportunities and constraints of your development site.
4. Advice on matters to consider when planning your development.
5. Details of the Planning requirements and policies that apply to the type of development you wish to undertake.
6. Advice and guidance on how to prepare documents for a Statement of Environmental Effects.
7. Guidance on the documentation of your proposal.
8. Information on how to submit an application.

The Application Process

The guide follows a 6 step process (also summarised in the application process flowchart) for preparing an application.
The six steps are:-

1. Determine whether or not the proposed development is permissible on your site (the property where you plan to open your business) by going to the Bed and Breakfast Map.
   If the B & B Map indicates that you need approval (i.e. it is permissible) from Council to start your business, follow the steps below to prepare your Development Application (DA).
2. Collate information on the proposed development – identify applicable standards or other planning controls that may apply to your site e.g. bushfire hazard, describe the development site, and document development ideas. You can go to the hazard map to do this.
3. Prepare plans and supporting documents.
4. Prepare a Statement of Environmental Effects that:
   • describes your proposed development, including details such as number of guests or services to be provided etc.
   • includes whether you think it may affect the neighbourhood and how you might counter those effects.
5. Submit your application including forms and statutory documents.
6. Approvals from other authorities may be necessary. Click on the links below to find out.

Important Web Sites to Assist Applicants

• AusIndustry
• NSW Small Business
• Small Business Development Corporation
• Business.gov.au (Australian Government Initiative)
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
• Australian Taxation Office
• Australian Government Website
• ABN Lookup Service
• Business Central Coast
• Central Coast Small Business
• Central Coast on Line
• Workcover NSW
• NSW Office of Fair Trading

Disclaimer

The information on this website has been compiled from various sources including Council's databases and maps. While all care is taken to ensure a high degree of accuracy (including Attribute and Spatial), users are invited to notify Council's Corporate GIS Unit of any map discrepancies.

Decisions should not be based on information or data provided through Gosford City Council Mapping website. If you intend to rely on any information provided by Council, you should submit written enquires to the Council for that information.

To the extent permitted by law, Council excludes all liability in contract or in tort (including negligence) for costs, losses or damages of any kind and however caused, arising from or relating in any way to the contents of this website or your use of it, including any consequential or indirect loss, loss of income or profit, loss of use, loss of business or business interruption.

Council is not responsible for, and gives no guarantee concerning, the contents of any linked website or any link contained in any linked website. All matters relating to this website are governed by the laws of the State of New South Wales, Australia.