In most cases, you cannot legally operate a business without the required planning approval. If you do, council can issue notices, fines, or even force you to stop trading.

This is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes business owners make — signing a lease and opening before confirming approval.

This is exactly what a Pulse Check is designed to prevent — so you know where you stand before you commit.

Skipping a required planning permit can lead to:

• Council enforcement notices

• Fines and penalties

• Being forced to shut down or relocate

• Retrospective applications (which are riskier and more expensive)

Many business owners only realise this after council contacts them.

This is one of the most important questions you can ask.

Not every property is approved for every type of business — even if it “looks right.” Zoning, overlays, parking, and past approvals all play a role.

The risk?
You sign… then find out council won’t support your use.

There’s no single “fast track,” but the biggest delays come from:

• incomplete applications

• incorrect assumptions

• poor alignment with council expectations

The fastest path is getting the strategy right from the start.

A planning permit looks at whether your business use is allowed on the site.

A building permit relates to construction and safety.

You may need one, both, or neither — depending on your situation.

This is where many business owners get confused and rely on the wrong advice.

Architects and builders are great at design and construction — but planning approvals are a different process.

Planning is about:

• council policy

• land use rules

• approval strategy

  It’s not just drawings — it’s knowing how council will assess your proposal.

Yes — but it depends on why it was refused or delayed.

Often, applications fail because:

• key issues weren’t addressed

• the wrong strategy was used

• council concerns weren’t anticipated

We can review and reposition your application to improve your chances.

In many cases, yes — especially if:

• your site is in a commercial strip

• there’s a heritage overlay

• signage size or placement changes

This is one of the most commonly overlooked approvals.

Yes — and this is one of the smartest things you can do before purchasing.

We assess:

• what’s allowed

• what needs approval

• what risks are involved

This helps you avoid buying a site that doesn’t support your business.

The best place to start is with a Pulse Check.

This gives you:

• clarity on your site

• likely council pathway

• risks and opportunities

• next steps

It’s designed to help you move forward with confidence — before you spend serious money.