Accurate
Country-specific legal content
Drafted with legal expertise for each jurisdiction, far more thorough than AI-generated drafts that copy generic clauses across borders.
LegalAustralia
General Petition Template
A petition is a formal written request signed by many people asking an authority — parliament, a council, or another decision-maker — to take specific action. Use our free Australian template to prepare a well-structured petition that meets the standing orders of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and state and local government petition procedures.
Free to useInstant PDFNo account required
PDF (free) + editable Word (.docx) with Expert
ADMINISTRATIVE PETITION
City of Sydney Council
Development Applications Unit
Attn: The Director of City Planning
456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9265 9333
da@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Development Applications Unit
Attn: The Director of City Planning
456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9265 9333
da@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
RE: Request for Reconsideration of Development Application Refusal — 45 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
25 April 2026
Reference: DA-2026-00142
COMES NOW James T. O'Brien, Director, representing O'Brien Property Group Pty Ltd ("Petitioner"), and respectfully states as follows:
STATEMENT OF FACTS
1. On 15 January 2026, the Petitioner submitted Development Application DA-2026-00142 for a mixed-use building at 45 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
2. By letter dated 20 March 2026, the Council refused the application citing concerns about noise impact on neighbouring residences.
3. The Petitioner engaged Dr. Karen Liu, a qualified acoustic consultant, whose report dated 10 April 2026 demonstrates full compliance with all applicable noise standards under the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012.
1. On 15 January 2026, the Petitioner submitted Development Application DA-2026-00142 for a mixed-use building at 45 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
2. By letter dated 20 March 2026, the Council refused the application citing concerns about noise impact on neighbouring residences.
3. The Petitioner engaged Dr. Karen Liu, a qualified acoustic consultant, whose report dated 10 April 2026 demonstrates full compliance with all applicable noise standards under the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY BASIS
Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s. 4.55, the Petitioner is entitled to seek modification of the determination. The Council's own Development Control Plan (cl. 4.1.2) requires acoustic impact to be assessed against AS/NZS 1055 standards, which the attached expert report confirms are met.
Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s. 4.55, the Petitioner is entitled to seek modification of the determination. The Council's own Development Control Plan (cl. 4.1.2) requires acoustic impact to be assessed against AS/NZS 1055 standards, which the attached expert report confirms are met.
PRIOR ACTIONS TAKEN
On 1 April 2026, the Petitioner wrote to the Council's Planning Director requesting reconsideration and providing a preliminary acoustic report. No substantive response was received within 21 days.
On 1 April 2026, the Petitioner wrote to the Council's Planning Director requesting reconsideration and providing a preliminary acoustic report. No substantive response was received within 21 days.
RELIEF REQUESTED
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests that City of Sydney Council:
1. Reconsider Development Application DA-2026-00142 in light of the acoustic expert report submitted herewith.
2. Grant conditional approval of the development application, with conditions as appropriate.
3. Advise the Petitioner of the Council's decision within 14 working days.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests that City of Sydney Council:
1. Reconsider Development Application DA-2026-00142 in light of the acoustic expert report submitted herewith.
2. Grant conditional approval of the development application, with conditions as appropriate.
3. Advise the Petitioner of the Council's decision within 14 working days.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Exhibit A: Acoustic Consultant Report — Dr. Karen Liu, April 2026
Exhibit B: Council Refusal Letter, 20 March 2026
Exhibit C: Prior Correspondence Log
Exhibit A: Acoustic Consultant Report — Dr. Karen Liu, April 2026
Exhibit B: Council Refusal Letter, 20 March 2026
Exhibit C: Prior Correspondence Log
DECLARATION
I certify that the information contained in this petition is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that I am authorised to make this petition on behalf of the parties identified above.
I certify that the information contained in this petition is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that I am authorised to make this petition on behalf of the parties identified above.
Respectfully submitted, from 45 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (Tel: +61 2 9800 1234 · Email: james@obriengroup.com.au), on 25 April 2026.
PETITIONER
James T. O'Brien
Director
Date: ____________________
Available as a print-ready PDF or an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
What Is a General Petition?
A petition is a formal written request signed by multiple petitioners addressed to a body with authority to act on the subject matter. Petitions have been a foundational form of civic participation in Australia since federation, protected by the implied freedom of political communication recognised by the High Court in Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520 and section 51(xxxi) of the Commonwealth Constitution in some contexts.
In Australia, petitions fall into several categories. Parliamentary petitions are addressed to the Australian House of Representatives or the Senate and must comply with Standing Orders — Standing Order 205 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders, and Standing Order 69 of the Senate. Australian state parliaments and local councils have their own petition rules under their respective standing orders and local government acts.
Community petitions, by contrast, are addressed to a person, business, or Australian organisation and have no specific legal form, but gather political and social pressure through signatures. Online petitions (such as on change.org) are commonly used alongside traditional paper petitions across Australia. Whether parliamentary or community, a well-drafted Australian petition sets out a clear prayer (what is requested), the reasons, and identifies the petitioners through legible signatures and addresses.
What's Covered in This Template
Our petition template provides a clear, professional structure suitable for community or parliamentary use.
Addressee
Name and title of the body or person being petitioned.
Petition Title
Concise title summarising the issue.
Background Statement
Facts and context supporting the request.
The Prayer
Clear, specific request for action.
Statement of Petitioners
Who the petitioners are and why the issue concerns them.
Signature Block
Fields for signature, printed name, address, and date.
Postcode and Electorate
Electoral information to demonstrate constituency relevance.
Principal Petitioner
Contact details of the lead petitioner for correspondence.
Page Numbering
Consecutive page numbering for multi-page petitions.
Date of Presentation
Date the petition will be or was presented.
Compliance Statement
Acknowledgement of relevant parliamentary or council standing orders.
Delivery Details
Method of delivery — parliamentary Member, council, or online.
How to Create a Petition
Follow these steps to prepare a clear, signable petition in minutes.
- 1
Identify the Addressee
Specify the parliament, council, department, or organisation being petitioned.
- 2
Write the Background
Explain the issue and why action is needed in plain, factual terms.
- 3
Draft a Clear Prayer
State exactly what action the petitioners request.
- 4
Set Up Signature Pages
Include fields for signature, printed name, address, electorate, and date.
- 5
Review and Download
Add principal petitioner contact details and download the PDF for circulation.
Why Doxuno documents are different
Four things that make our templates more thorough than AI-generated drafts and more current than static template libraries.
Always current
Always current with the law
Templates carrying statute references are continuously updated as the law changes. Your document always reflects the current legal framework.
Free PDF
Print-ready PDF
Free to download. Vector text, embedded fonts, statute citations baked in. Print, sign, file. Ready for any signing flow including electronic signature.
Word · .docx
Editable Word (.docx)
Continue editing in Word after download. Add custom clauses, reuse the template for similar agreements, or share with a colleague for collaborative review.
Requires Expert one-time unlock or any paid Doxuno subscription.
Legal Considerations
The right to petition is a long-standing democratic right, but formal petitions must follow applicable procedures.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For parliamentary petitions, confirm the current Standing Orders with the relevant parliament's Petitions Committee or Clerk.
Reviewed for Australian law
Federal Parliamentary Petitions
In the Australian Parliament, Standing Order 205 of the House of Representatives and Standing Order 69 of the Senate set out requirements including: the petition must be respectful and moderate in language, identify the petitioners with legible signatures and addresses, and seek action within the power of the House or the Senate. Petitions are typically tabled by an Australian Member of Parliament. The House Petitions Committee considers all petitions received.
State Parliamentary Petitions
Each Australian state parliament has its own standing orders. For example, NSW Legislative Assembly Standing Orders (notably SOs 121–127), Victorian Legislative Assembly Standing Orders (SO 101), and Queensland Parliament's e-petitions process all prescribe form and content. E-petitions are now accepted in most Australian state parliaments through official online platforms.
Local Government Petitions
Australian council petitions are regulated by the Local Government Act in each state — Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) and its 2020 successor, Local Government Act 2009 (Qld), and equivalents. Australian councils typically have their own petitions policy specifying signature thresholds, form requirements, and whether the petition will be considered at a council meeting.
Signature Collection and Privacy
Collecting personal information (name, address, signature) triggers Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) obligations if the collector is an organisation with turnover over $3 million. Use of the information must be limited to the petition purpose. Door-to-door or street collection must also comply with state trespass and nuisance laws, and online petitions must comply with the hosting platform's terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Create Your Petition Now
Make your voice heard with a well-structured, professional petition. Fill in the details and download the PDF in minutes.
Free PDF · Editable Word with Expert · No account required