Last October, the state government increased its planning permit application fees for the first time in about a decade.

The shire said as a result, most fees had at least doubled and some had increased by up to 10 times the previous amount.

West Wimmera Shire chief executive David Leahy said the previous fee rate of about $102 had covered almost all planning permit applications for removal of native vegetation.

He said the new minimum planning permit application fee was $1080.

Mr Leahy said the initial penalty for an individual who breached the planning scheme was $777.30.

The cost for a corporate body was slightly more at $1554.60.

“Native vegetation removal is by far our largest volume of planning permit applications,” Mr Leahy said.

“The increase in planning permit fees means the financial penalty for a breach is less than the planning permit application fee.”

Mr Leahy said council had opted to absorb some of the costs of the fee rather than pursue individuals or corporations who chose not to apply for a planning permit.

“It’s not a massive cost for council to incur,” Mr Leahy said.

“It gives council peace of mind that planning permit applications will be lodged.

“The cost in time and legal fees to pursue proceedings for the illegal removal of native vegetation can far exceed the (estimated) $7120 in reduced revenue.

“It becomes very costly for council.

“The last thing we want is to be in a legal battle.

“It’s better to work with the community.”

Mr Leahy said the discrepancy between the cost of the planning permit application fee and the penalties that could be incurred was an oversight from the state government.

“It probably slipped through to the keeper,” he said.

“If you’re on the urban fringe, native vegetation as an issue doesn’t really jump out at you.”

Mr Leahy said at a meeting on Wednesday councillors voted to reduce the planning permit development planning permit fee from $1080 to $200 for native vegetation removal planning permit applications only.