The blowout in the March quarter was reported to council in its corporate health indicators update to its finance and administration committee this week and follows major changes to the way council determines development applications.

The longer than expected processing times were attributed to a high number of applications received and delays in processing current applications due to community interest, reporting cycles, delays in receipt of information to enable final assessment and staff-related issues.

Among the more contentious development applications of recent times approved and still to be determined by council include a service station and fast food development on the corner of Table Top Road and Thurgoona Drive, a commercial sub-division nearby and redevelopment plans by the Star Hotel in central Albury which was the subject of a recent community forum.

The Star Hotel development application involving the creation of an upstairs function room and balcony was due to be dealt with at the May meeting on Monday night, but has not been included on the agenda.

Matters raised at the community forum are still being considered including the possibility of dumping plans to use buses to collect patrons after events.

Albury Council approved development worth $171 million last financial year, but the average processing time for planning approvals rose from 26 days in 2015-16 to 31 days a year later.

The average time taken ranged between 35 and 43 days in the March quarter.

Albury’s target is 21 days with 47 days being the state average.