The Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel, known as IHAP, was established to provide an independent hearing forum for objectors and applicants on certain applications. 

For more information please click on the following highlighted links:

• What is IHAP?
• What happens at IHAP?
• Have your say
• The IHAP Members
• After the IHAP meeting
• IHAP meeting agendas
• IHAP Charter

What is IHAP 

The Panel assesses applications in a manner that is ethical, professional and independent of Liverpool City Council.

Applications which are referred to the Panel include:

• Those Class 2 to 9 Buildings under the Buildings Code of Australia (BCA) plus residential townhouses and sub divisions which create more than twenty (20) allotments and where there are three (3) or more unresolved objections; and
• Where the General Manager or the Director, Strategic Planning & Development has determined that the public interest is of such a significant nature to refer the application to an independent body;
• Any building over three (3) storeys that is in Liverpool CBD area defined as per Development Control Plan No. 30;
• Any matter that involves significant variation to Council policy, and SEPP 1 or other significant variations to Council's Local Environmental Plan;
• Any Development Application lodged on behalf of Council or by Council, where it has a commercial interest in the development;
• Any application lodged to Council for Section 82a Review of Determination;
• Any designated Development Application. 

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The Chairperson will open the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel meeting and introduce the Panel members.  The order of items are set out in the agenda, which is available from Council prior to the meeting.

As each item is referred to, the objectors are invited to speak.  The applicant will then be offered the opportunity to respond.  Questions may be asked by the Panel members.  After receiving all of the submissions, the meeting will be closed.

At this time, the Panel will discuss the issues raised and consider the Assessment Officer's report.  The IHAP makes a recommendation and prepares a report to go to Council for consideration.

There is no guarantee that the Panel will adopt the recommendation of Council's Assessment Officer, and Council is not obliged to follow the recommendation of the Panel.

If you wish to speak to the Panel regarding a matter on the agenda, please contact Liverpool City Council by the day before the meeting by calling the Customer Contact Centre on 1300 36 2170.

Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel meetings are open to the public.

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The Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel and Council staff involved in the meeting will be:

The Panel members, who are independent of Council.  Each Panel will consist of a specialist in town planning, law, environment and urban design.  The Panel will also have a community representative to ensure that the Liverpool community's best interests are considered.  Panel members are on a rotation and will be introduced on the meeting night.

The Assessment Officer is the staff member who is assessing the application for Council.  The Assessment Officer prepares a report for the Panel which includes their assessment, the concerns raised during the exhibition period/s, and their recommendations.

Council staff are responsible for notification of the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel meetings.

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