Streamlining the process of Section 173 Agreements

We engage Victorian Councils, Landowners, Planning Permit Holders or their representatives, Planning Lawyers or Law Firms, Mortgagees, Caveators and Land Use Victoria (Parties) to achieve clarity, structure and completeness.

A computer interface screen displaying a dashboard with options for creating and managing applications, including buttons labeled 'Create matter,' 'Lodge agreement,' and 'Send for signing'.

An innovative, intelligent solution simplifying complex, time consuming processes.

TOPH transforms the intricate Section 173 Agreement process into a straightforward experience. By automating essential tasks and delivering real-time updates, we ensure that all Parties stay informed and connected, making collaboration easier and more efficient than ever.

  • Lock icon over a web browser window, indicating security or restricted access.

    Secure

    Secure, transparent and safe transfer of information.

  • Icon of a document with checkmarks and lines representing a checklist or form.

    Compliant

    Compliant with Victorian Legislation and Land Use Victoria.

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    Easy to Use

    Simplifies the process, structures workflow and shortens timelines.

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    User Focused

    Seamless alignment across all users with smoother collaboration.

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    Easy Integration

    A white label product with seamless integration and online support.

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    Cost Effective

    Simple pathway to lodgement that saves time and cuts costs for everyone involved.

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New to Section
173 Agreements?

Section 173 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 binds a Landowner to specific obligations which can prohibit, restrict or regulate the use or development of their land. It can also specify conditions or purposes and is essentially used by Councils to achieve or advance the objectives of planning in Victoria.

View Victoria's Guide

A platform supporting all parties in the Section
173 Agreement process

Our streamlined solution simplifies the Section 173 Agreement process into manageable tasks, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and compliance. TOPH connects Victorian Councils, Landowners, Planning Permit Holders, their representatives, Planning Lawyers, Law Firms, Mortgagees, Caveators, and Land Use Victoria, providing real-time updates to keep everyone informed and aligned

Digital interface showing Matter ID with fields for subject land, law firm, council, assignment, parties, documents, notes, and owner tracking number; options to share, view, delete, and edit.
Digital interface showing a list of people with their roles, including owner, mortgagee, company single director, and statutory authority, with a button labeled 'New matter' and a box indicating 7 managed cases.
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Streamlining Communication and Collaboration Across All Parties

Our platform standardises processes and facilitates real-time communication between Victorian Councils, Landowners or Permit Holders, and Planning Lawyers or Law Firms. By creating a unified system, we simplify interactions, ensuring efficient collaboration and smooth management of Section 173 Agreements for all involved.

    • Boosts transparency for Landowners/Permit Holders or their representatives in choice of legal representative and no hidden costs.

    • Customised processes, allocation of workflow and ensures administrative consistency amongst Council preferred legal representatives.

    • Provides a structured centralised system for information sharing, storage of documentation and real-time updates from Planning Lawyers/Law Firms, Landowners/Planning Permit Holders or their representatives and Land Use Victoria.

    • Structures workflow and ensures automated reminders to Planners and support staff thereby reducing delays and reinforcing accountability.

    • Enables sharing of information between Planners and support staff thereby increasing time efficiencies and reducing uncertainty on the status of multiple matters.

    • Provides Landowners/Permit Holders or their representatives a specifically tailored login platform that connects them to Council and Planning Lawyers/Law Firms, mortgagees and caveators.

    • Offers choice of Council preferred Planning Lawyers/Law Firms and transparency of all costs associated with a Section 173 Agreement. No more surprise fees.

    • Educates, supports and provides a structured process from engagement to lodgement of a Section 173 Agreement for first time Landowners/Planning Permit Holders or their representative.

    • Breaks down a complex process into manageable and identifiable tasks.

    • Manages the expectations of Landowners/Permit Holders or their representatives via real-time updates.

    • Establishes a trust in the course of action for Landowners/Permit Holders or their representatives when dealing with Victorian Councils and Section 173 Agreements.

    • Enhances nimble and responsive engagement with Landowners/Permit Holders or their representatives.

    • Customises workflow and sends automated reminders to pre-allocated Lawyers, Law Clerks  and support staff thereby reducing delays, enhancing communication and reinforcing accountability.

    • Simplifies a complex process by breaking everything down into manageable and identifiable tasks and responsibilities.

    • Provides a structured centralised system for information sharing amongst Lawyers, Law Clerks and support staff, storage of documentation and finalised Section 173 Agreements.

    • Enables real-time updates between Victorian Councils, Landowners/Planning Permit Holders or their representatives, Mortgagees, Caveators and Land Use Victoria.

    • Assists in productivity, clarity of structure and process and timely completeness and lodgement of Section 173 Agreements.

    • Straightforward drafting capabilities of various Section 173 Agreements.

    • Built in DocuSigning and lodgement capabilities with automated tracking and notifications, ensuring documents are signed, lodged, and processed efficiently.

An aerial view of a residential neighborhood with houses, trees, and streets, taken during the daytime.
A digital application tracking board with rows showing application IDs, status labels like Review, Costing, Drafting, Signing, Engagement, Lodgement, and Closed. A blue overlay highlights Application ID 122 with a Signing status.

A blueprint for a practical solution, removing complexity with a simple and proven framework

Our platform coordinates “silos” and their interdependencies, invoked by a Section 173 Agreement. It fosters communication, coordination and collaboration from the commencement to the lodgement of a Section 173 Agreement.

A flowchart illustrating the process of property agreement and approval, with steps including documents from council or owner, negotiations, drafting, review, approval, signing, and lodging, centered around the logo of 'toph.' The background is blue with white and dark blue text boxes.

Frequently
asked questions

  • The Online Planning Hub (TOPH) is a cloud-based platform specifically designed to transform and provide a practical path for all things Section 173 Agreement, from requirement to lodgement.

  • TOPH provides a road map for Victorian Councils, Landowners/Permit Holders or their representatives and Planning Lawyers/Law Firms. Its unique features such as automation that removes manual tasks and real-time tracking of progress between the platforms, offers interdependent mutually beneficial capabilities.

  • TOPH’s real-time updates invoke active involvement between the platforms as they update each other on completion of a task and alert users via email.

  • TOPH offers real-time notifications and status updates throughout the entire agreement process, keeping everyone informed at every stage.

  • TOPH manages workflow, automates the detail in agreements and applications, stores precedents securely and manages notifications and lodgements, saving time and boosting efficiency.

  • TOPH guides Landowners/Planning Permit Holders or their representatives through the agreement process via a simple and practical roadmap, ensuring transparency of costs and choice of legal representatives.

  • If you are a Victorian Council or a Planning Lawyer/Law Firm, a demo of TOPH is available to showcase its features and benefits. Please contact us to schedule a demo.

    If you are a Landowner/Planning Permit Holder or their representative, we are working on a specifically tailored demo, in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us for support.

  • We provide full technical support during the demo and onboarding phase to ensure TOPH features are maximised.

  • TOPH uses industry-standard encryption and security protocols to ensure your data is safely stored and only accessible to authorised users.

  • Pricing details vary depending on your needs. Contact us for a customised quote tailored to your organisation.

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Let’s Simplify Your
173 Agreement Process Today

Ready to streamline your Section 173 Agreements? Partner with us and experience a faster, more efficient way to manage the process from start to finish for all parties involved.

Get Started
User interface of a property management dashboard showing application statuses, with buttons labeled 'Lodge agreement,' 'Create matter,' and 'Send for signing' highlighted.