Refer to our Lodge your Application page for steps to take prior to lodging your DA, as well as instructions to successfully lodge your DA through the NSW Planning Portal.

What to expect when your application has been accepted by Council?

Following review of the documentation submitted with your development application, and receipt and review of any additional information that Council has requested, the application will progress to acceptance and payment. Council will email an invoice to the applicant requesting payment of applicable fees, and once payment has been received, the application will progress to the steps outlined below:

1. Notification/advertisement & Submissions
   Once your application is has been accepted by Council via the NSW Planning Portal, it will be placed on public exhibition for generally 14 days, however some developments are required to be exhibited for 21 or 28 days, depending on the development proposed. Surrounding residents will be notified in accordance with Council's Community Participation Plan and will be provided to opportunity to make a submission about the proposed development. Applications on exhibition are viewable through Application Search. 
   
   Note: If an application is amended before a determination is made, the changes may require re-notification and be subject to a re-notification fee.
2. Referral 
   The majority of development applications will require input from specialist technical officers within Council, e.g Landscape Architect, Engineers, Environmental Health, Ecologists etc. If the application is classified as Integrated Development, requires concurrence or involves land associated with a public authority, the application may be forwarded through the NSW Planning Portal to the relevant public authority for comment. The assessment officer will take comments received from referral bodies into consideration when assessing the development application.
   
   Certain development applications require approval (such as a permit or license) from a NSW Government agency, before a determination can be made by Council, these are called integrated development. Integrated development applications require an approval listed in Section 4.46 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. For example, this may include an aquaculture permit, mining lease, pollution licence, Aboriginal heritage impact permit. For Council to process an integrated development application, an integrated development fee is payable, in addition to a fee payable to the relevant NSW Government agency through the Planning Portal. The Online Payments for Concurrence and Referrals guide (NSW Government) will assist you in paying the fee through the NSW Planning Portal.
3. Assessment
   After your application is accepted by Council, it will be allocated to an assessment officer. Once the notification period has finished, the assessment officer will commence assessing the development application and complete a preliminary review of it. The officer will review all plans and supporting documentation, conduct a site inspection, review any submissions made, consider statutory requirements and compliance with relevant planning controls.
   
   Following this, any issues identified as part of the preliminary assessment will be referred to the applicant in writing, with clear direction of the issues and potential resolution of them. Where no issues are identified during the preliminary assessment, the assessment officer will complete an assessment report and make recommendation for determination. Similarly, where issues are identified as part of the preliminary review, the subsequent response from the applicant will be considered as part of the final assessment which informs the assessment report and recommendation for determination.
4. Amendments
   If during the assessment of your application, issues arise that require more information or changes to the proposal, Council will contact you to inform you of what is required to progress your application. Council will only accept amendments to your application once. Please ensure you make a genuine attempt to resolve the issues. If you propose to amend the application and the amendments to be made do not achieve a satisfactory outcome, Council may choose to either determine the amended application or not accept the amended information and proceed to complete the assessment and determine the application as originally submitted.
   
   It is strongly advised that you discuss any changes to your development application with the assessment officer prior to lodging the amended information on the NSW Planning Portal.
5. Determination
   The assessment officer will put forward a recommendation to management or the application may be reviewed by various determination panels, depending on its size, complexity, number of submissions received etc.
   
   Your application may be approved (consent), approved subject to further requirements (deferred commencement consent), or refused if the proposal is unacceptable. If your application is refused, you may wish to submit a Review of Determination with changes to address the reasons for the refusal. Alternatively, you may wish to explore your appeal rights to the Land and Environment Court.
6. Outcome
   The applicant will receive electronic confirmation of the outcome of the application via the NSW Planning Portal.
7. Deferred commencement approval
   If your development application includes a deferred commencement condition, you must satisfy the condition for your consent to become operational.
   
   Operational consent must be requested via the NSW Planning Portal and any required documentation must be uploaded for review. Refer to the Quick Reference Guide - Deferring Commencement of a Development Application for further instructions.
   
   Once Council receives your application, an invoice will be sent for payment of relevant fees. Council will review your documentation, and if the conditions have been satisfied, operational consent confirmation will be provided via the NSW Planning Portal.
8. Before you start work
   Before you start any work, make sure you seek advice and approvals from Council or a planning professional. Protect yourself, your project and your community by following the guidance you are given to avoid unnecessary financial and legal consequences. 
   
   Once development consent is granted, there are some more steps you must take before you can start to build:

• Obtain a construction certificate - In most cases, a construction certificate is required and can be obtained through an accredited certifier (private certifier) or through Council. Refer to our webpage for information on Construction Certificate lodgement.
• Appoint a Principal Certifier - The certifier will conduct critical stage inspections and provide final completion certificates once your project is completed. See the Building Professionals Board for more information on appointing a private certifier.
• Notify Council in writing of the Principal Certifier's details and the date of commencement of building works, at least 2 days prior to commencement.