Development Application Process
The DA Application Process explains how to prepare a Development Application. It provides a simple, step-by-step guide to all the things you need to do before submitting an application.
The DA Guide and checklist for Class 1 & 10 Buildings (452KB) should be used in conjunction with the checklist to ensure that you have provided all the correct information, plans etc with your application. If your application includes all the required details, we can deal with it more quickly.
Note: Use the DA Guide and checklist for Class 2-9 Buildings (590KB) for dual occupancies, townhouses/villas, flat buildings, a home business or industrial or commercial development - please refer to the DA Guide for Class 2-9 Buildings.
GST & Property Guide
For every property transaction you make, you need to think about tax implications.
To help you to determine property related GST obligations, refer to the GST and Property Guide on the Australian Taxation Office website.
An amendment to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act may require persons making a development application or those making a submission to the development application to complete a Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement form (46KB) and submit this to Council with their development application or submission. This form is also available at our Customer Service Centre. Submitted Disclosure Statements can be viewed at our Customer Service Centre, 137 Beamish Street, Campsie, by request. |
Lodging Development Applications with Council
What is a "D.A."?
A development application ("DA") is a formal request for permission to carry out a proposed development. Development is legally defined as:
- The use of land
- The subdivision of land
- The erection of a building
- The carrying out of a work
- The demolition of a building or work
About this guide
This guide explains how to prepare a development application. It provides a simple, step-by-step guide to all the things you need to do before submitting an application.
NOTE: This guide does not apply to dual occupancies, townhouses/villas, flat developments, a home business or industrial or commercial development. Please refer to our DA Guide for Class 2-9 Buildings instead.
STEP 1 - Do You Need To Lodge a "D.A."?
You need to lodge a development application if you propose to do any of the following:
- erect a new building or structure including outbuildings, swimming pools, retaining walls, etc.
- add to or alter an existing building
- demolish a building
- demolish, damage or alter a building or place that is a heritage item
- carry out earthworks, excavation or filling.
Some minor developments, listed in our Development Control Plan for Exempt and Complying Development -- DCP 31 (795KB) MAY NOT require a DA. These include:-
- cabanas, green houses and gazebos
- barbecues, garden sheds, and open pergolas
- certain satellite dishes under 1.2m in diameter, solar water heaters, skylight roof windows
It is essential to check with us before proceeding with work on your property as somethings may require a DA depending on the size and location of the works. These requirements are fully detailed in our 'Exempt and Complying Development DCP' (refer to the link above).
STEP 2 - Ask about Council controls and policies
Ask us first! The first step in preparing a development application is to find out about our Codes, Policies and DCP's.
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It is recommended that you refer to the "
Before designing your proposal, you need to know about:
- Approval requirements under Environmental Planning legislation
- Canterbury Planning Scheme Ordinance and the Environmental Planning Instruments for Campsie, Canterbury and Belmore/Lakemba Precincts
- Relevant Codes, Policies and DCP's
- Relevant Council policies
Contact us for information and advice as early as possible in the design process. Most initial enquiries can be answered over the phone but it is better to call in personally to our Customer Service Centre. We have trained staff who will be able to tell you about the relevant legal requirements, development standards, design guidelines and alert you to the constraints that you will need to consider in designing or preparing your proposal.
For a detailed response to a specific proposal, we suggest that you come in for a 'pre-DA discussion' with one of the Development Assessment Planners or Building Surveyors for your area. Phone (02) 9789 9300 for an appointment, and send us a sketch plan in advance to illustrate your ideas. This will focus the discussion and allow us to give more detailed suggestions.
STEP 3 - Prepare plans and drawings
Which Plans?
You will need to prepare several types of plans and drawings. The actual plans required for your proposal will depend on the type of development proposed.
The following is a general guide to which plans you will need to prepare. However, we recommend that you check with us for any requirements that specifically relate to your proposal or the site.
- Plans, Elevations and Sections Required for all applications.
- Reduced Plan (A4) Required for all residential applications involving construction works.
- Survey Plan Required for all new single and two storey dwellings and first floor or more additions to existing buildings. Where significant changes to existing ground levels (RL's) occur as a result of building construction, or if the site warrants due to terrain and slope of land a survey plan may be requested by Council.
- Stormwater Details Required for all new developments and for alterations/additions that involve changes to stormwater drainage.
- Shadow Diagram Required for all new two storey dwellings and first floor additions to dwellings.
- Soil and Water Management Plan Required for all demolitions, new buildings, and alterations and additions to residential buildings.
- BASIX Certificate A BASIX Certificate is required for all new residential developments, except for alterations and additions.
How many copies?
Provide us with:
- Reduced Plans (A4) - 6 copies (Note: The reduced plans should include a site plan. The site plan should not show the floor plan of the dwelling, and/or the designated room names)
- Survey plan - 10 copies
- Shadow diagrams - 10 copies (where required)
- All other plans - 10 copies
- A4 Notification plans - 6 copies
- BASIX Certificate - 6 copies
- Statement of Environmental Effects - 10 copies
Note: One (1) coloured copy is required only for alterations and additions.
STEP 4 - Prepare a Statement of Environmental Effects
What is a Statement of Environmental Effects?
A Statement of Environmental Effects details the likely impacts of the proposal, and the proposed measures that will mitigate these impacts. It is a written statement about the proposal that supports your plans and drawings.
All development applications require a Statement of Environmental Effects.
Only a brief statement is required for proposals that are likely to have a negligible impact, eg. interior alterations and minor building work. Check with our Environmental Services Division.
What To Include?
Your Statement should address all the issues that are applicable to your proposal. The following is a guide to the issues relevant to different types of proposals. You should also check with us for any specific requirements applicable to your proposal or your site.
- Site Suitability Required for all applications except minor additions or alterations.
- Present and Previous Uses Required for all applications.
- Design Guidelines Required for all new residential developments.
- Privacy, Views and Overshadowing Required for all residential proposals.
- Air and Noise Required for all residential proposals.
- Heritage Required for all proposals relating to items or places that are heritage items.
- Additional Items Required for sites affected by land contamination and acid sulphate soils.
STEP 5 - Complete the application form
The following questions on the Application Form require particular care and attention.
Q4 Owner's Consent
You must obtain the consent of the landowner. If there is more than one landowner, every owner must sign. If the owner is a company, the application must be signed by an authorised person, and their name and position within the company must be clearly shown on the form. If you are proposing an activity or works within a development that is strata subdivided, you must obtain the signature of the owners' corporation. If the application form is not signed by the landowner(s), we cannot determine your application.
Q6 Proposed Development
You must describe the proposed development in detail. Tell us exactly what you propose to do, eg., construction of a two storey dwelling with basement garage.
Q10 Other Council Approvals
The matters listed in this question require Council approval in addition to development consent. By ticking any boxes that are relevant, you will avoid the need to make a separate application later. An additional fee may also apply (see our current Fee Schedule for details).
Q11 Your Signature
Please check that you have signed the application.
In accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act you may be required to complete and submit the Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement form (46KB). Please read the Explanatory Information on the linked form and complete the form if required to do so. The form must be submitted with your development application.
STEP 6 - Lodge the completed form and fees
How to lodge your application
We prefer that you lodge your application personally at our Customer Service Centre. This is so we can check to see that you have all the necessary information and save you delays in the processing of your application.
Don't forget to:
- include all the required plans and supporting documents
- obtain the landowner's consent
- sign the application form
- pay the development application fees
How many copies?
Provide us with:
- Application Form - 1 Original Application form and 9 copies - signed by all landowners - signed by the applicant
- Completed Development Application Checklist - 1 copy
- Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement form - 1 copy (if required)
- Application fees.
- Long Service Levy (optional at DA stage).
Fees
Application fees are calculated on a scale based on the estimated cost of development (or the number of lots in the case of subdivision). Ask us for a current Fee Scale.
Long Service Levy
A building Industry Long Service Levy applies to all construction work $25,000 or over in value. The Levy is charged at a rate of 0.35% of the total cost of the proposed work. You can choose to pay the Levy when you lodge your Development Application or you can pay prior to the release of your Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate. Please ask our Customer Service Staff for further details.
Payment options
You can pay your fees by cash, cheque or EFTPOS (Savings only). You should make cheques payable to 'Canterbury City Council'.
Any Questions?
If you need more information or advice, phone us on 9789 9300 or call in to our Customer Service Centre.
We strongly recommend that you discuss your proposal with us before submitting a development application.
A building surveyor is on duty at the Customer Service Centre between 9.00am to 11am Monday to Friday for enquiries.
The Customer Service Centre hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday and is located at 137 Beamish Street Campsie.
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