Submitting a DA

All development applications and certificates need to be submitted through the NSW Planning Portal, rather than directly to us at council. 

We recommend you contacting us at council first to utilise our pre-lodgement assistance service (free of charge).

The development process can be complex, so you may also like to consider using the services of professionals to help you with your plans and application.

To learn more about each stage of the DA process, please see the information below. 

Step 1: Pre-lodgement

Our free pre-lodgement advisory service is designed to make the development process smoother for you. Talk to one of our experienced development planning officers either in person or over the phone to discuss your proposed development.

We'll provide insights on what you need to address and the information and plans you will need for your application. By using this service, you can avoid delays caused by scrambling for additional information later on.

Let us help you navigate the process effectively and get your project off the ground with confidence.

 

Step 2: Lodgement

All Development Applications, Construction Certificates and Complying Development Certificates must be lodged through the NSW Planning Portal. Below are some useful tips. You will also find Quick Reference Guides on the NSW Planning Portal. Topics include:

  • Registering for an account
  • Navigating the NSW Planning Portal,
  • Submitting applications, and
  • Providing additional information

Here are some helpful tips:

  1. Register for a NSW Planning Portal account to start your application.
  2. Log in to complete the online application form.
  3. For Development Applications and Construction Certificates you will need to submit a State of Environmental Effects, owner's consent, cost estimate report as well as all necessary plans and documents outlined in council’s applications checklist
  4. For Complying Development Certificates you will need to submit a certificate of title, site plan, design plans, structural plans and building specifications and applications checklist
  5. There are important Commonwealth telecommunications rules you may need to comply with. For more information visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/tind
  6. If your development impacts roads, rail or waterways, you should visit the Transport for NSW website to find out the relevant regulations. 

 

Step 3: Notifying others who may be impacted

We ask other parties who may be impacted by your development if it impacts them. Ways we may do this include:

  • send an email or letter to affected neighbours
  • place advertisement in the local newspaper 
  • run a social media post on our council Facebook and Instagram pages
  • place the information on our website (“Have your say”), on the NSW Government Planning Portal
  • have the information available at our council offices

Guidelines for the timeframes involved are outlined in our Community Participation Plan(PDF, 542KB).

Step 4: Information request

We only do this if we need more information about any part of your application.

Step 5: Assessment

When we review development applications, we follow guidelines outlined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, specifically Section 4.15. Here's what we consider:

  • rules from planning documents or guidelines (like Development Control Plans)
  • how the development might affect the environment, community, or economy in the area
  • whether the location is right for the development
  • feedback we get from other parties, including the public, when we let them know about the development
  • what's best for the public as a whole

You can keep an eye on your application's progress anytime using the NSW Government Application Tracker. The time it takes to process your application depends on how complicated the development is.

 

Step 6: Determination

Once  a decision has been made about your application, you will be notified on the NSW Planning Portal.

If we approve your application, there might be some conditions and deadlines you will need to meet. Make sure you read and follow them carefully.

If, unfortunately, your application is turned down, you can ask for a review through the NSW Planning Portal. But remember, you need to do this within 28 days of receiving the decision.

Step 7: Post approval

After you have been given the green light to proceed with your project, the next step is to obtain a Construction Certificate when you are ready to start building.

If you wish to make small changes to your approved plans as your project progresses, you can do this through the NSW Planning Portal. These changes are typically for small adjustments that keep your project in line with the original approval.

The types of modifications you can request include:

  • Section 4.55 (1): fixing minor errors, misdescriptions, or miscalculations
  • Section 4.55 (1A): changes with minimal environmental impact
  • Section 4.55 (2): other modifications
  • Section 4.56: adjustments granted by the Land & Environment Court

If your proposed changes will significantly alter the original project, you will need to submit a new development application.

 

 

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