How SPEAR works?

SPEAR requires a “one in, all in” approach to be adopted to maximise the benefits to all industry stakeholders.

SPEAR can be used by all parties involved in the subdivision and planning processes in differing capacities.

Applicants register to use SPEAR and receive a username and password. They are then able to compile a subdivision and/or planning permit application electronically in SPEAR and submit it to Councils that are using SPEAR.

The SPEAR system generates email notifications to the relevant SPEAR parties to advise them of new actions required to be completed or of new information added to the application.

The council then logs onto the SPEAR website and retrieves the electronic application documents for processing. Councils are able to refer the application electronically through SPEAR and Referral Authorities can view the application and respond to the referrals in SPEAR.

As the application progresses, and if correspondence or additional documentation is required between parties, this is also done in SPEAR rather than, as in the past, a paper document sent via surface mail.

Councils can make decisions and issue legal documents through SPEAR such as Planning Permits, Certifications and Statements of Compliance.

Finally, the application is accessed through SPEAR by Land Victoria who can use the information to issue new titles for the subdivision.

Members of the public can use SPEAR to find out basic information about an application and lodge and view objections.

There are two ways to access SPEAR: Website based (A2P) - the most common - and Program based (A2A). Click here to read more about these two options.