The process of permits – can anybody shed some light?

Hello everyone,

We are getting organised for our first major renovation project in October and will need to get some permits for some of the work.

What is the process of getting permits? Do we need somebody to draw plans which we submit to council? Does somebody from the council come and look at the property?

There are a few things which we are not even sure if we need permits for. These include..

Two sets of french doors which are going in  where there are existing windows so do we still need a permit?

Decking in the front and back of the house – although it is going on top of an existing concrete verandah, but it will be extended – do we still need a permit?

Removal of two interior walls, one which we think will definitely be structural, the other we are not so sure (We are meeting with the builder on Saturday 31st July to ask him)

Fence in the front which will be more than 1.5m high

We are meeting with some builders to get quotes for all the work that needs doing in just under a couple of weeks. But I thought I would try and find out what is involved before we meet with them as I am just unsure of the whole process.

If anybody can shed some light on the matter it would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,
Emmy