I recently completed a bathroom addition, and had initially decided to install a bidet. During the building process, I decided to omit the bidet.
When it came to applying for the final occupation certificate, I discovered that I had to submit another Section 68 Plumbing and Drainage application. I was told to simply put an ‘X’ through the bidet that was on the plan.
There is a new process where one has to apply through the online NSW government Planning Portal, which is very unintuitive and cumbersome to use. Attaching and uploading forms, for instance, is a pain, and often appears to have worked, but later the uploaded forms have disappeared, or one is left with a perpetually spinning ‘in process’ wheel on the screen.
Anyway, after many phone calls, and emails to Council, I received a bill for $415 for the new application, simply to remove the bidet from the plan.
So, Council gave themselves and me a couple of hours of work and frustration, where someone had to spend the time to field my calls and emails, and check the new application.
Ridiculous waste of time and resources – but we must follow the rules!
I wonder if the $415 I have to pay will cover the costs to Council for this absurdity.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
