Temporary staff have been hired at Indigo Council to keep up with planning permits as overarching demand on the construction industry adds to delays.
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Chief executive Trevor Ierino said a 41 per cent increase in applications was a good problem to have but meant inevitable strain on the system.
"For planning alone, in the last financial year we had 360 planning applications and this year, we look to have 500 by the end of June," he said.
"Telephone and email enquiries for new developments and land use proposals have gone up nearly 80 per cent."
Mr Ierino said the council was able to employ a planner through the Working for Victoria program.
"All councils are trying to fill staff ... planners themselves are in demand at the moment," he said.
"If things change gradually you can adjust staffing levels; when something like COVID-19 happens, you don't have the processes and people in place.
"Our previous planning manager who retired is also doing some work for us - it's all hands on deck.
"We are getting through as quickly as we can and appreciate everyone wants to get their plans through. Please be patient."
The demand is being experienced across the North East, according to Ovens and King Builders.
Director Lachie Gales said the resource shortage had affected his and most businesses.
"While timber and other build materials are things that are simple to resolve, with time, we've also noticed significant changes in the documentation phase," he said.
"Building approvals in Victoria are up 36 per cent for March compared to last year - I've never experienced that kind of growth.
"Staff at councils are really working hard to cope and we just need everybody to understand what we're faced with.
"It's a lot better than the alternative problem which was a downturn in construction."
Mr Gales said bottlenecks were inevitably created for processes such as warranty insurance, with there being a single underwriter for the state.
"Building permits we've previously been able to turn around in less than 10 days are now anywhere between four and six weeks," he said.
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"The timelines of 12 months ago aren't timelines that apply now.
"It would be great for councils generally to get communication strategies out there to explain to the public exactly what's going no, so that third parties like builders aren't put under undue pressure by clients for things we can't control.
"Consumers will need to be patient."
Mr Ierino has flagged the delays through his council in a community newsletter and told The Border Mail there were no changes to timeframes for major council projects.
