Advice on Acid Sulfate Soils
Acid sulfate soils contain iron sulfides that can affect industries such as fishing and tourism, and can impact on public and private infrastructure by causing serious damage to steel and concrete structures such as the foundations (footings) of a building.

Approval for activites on public or community land
Builders, concreters, homeowners, crane operators, scaffolders, hoarding constructors, owners and occupiers, and real estate agents will find this page extremely useful when dealing with enquiries relating to properties. Most of the necessary information and accompanying forms and policies are presented here for your convenience.

BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index)
If you are building a new home, you need to submit a BASIX Certificate with your development application. The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX), is a NSW government planning requirement and web-based tool that affects anyone building a new house, villa, townhouse or units, anywhere in NSW.

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.

Development Certificates
Contains a number of essential building and development certificates for builders, property developers, owners/occupiers and retailers.

Dividing Fences
The Dividing Fences Act 1991 commenced on 1 February 1992. The Act is about how the cost of a dividing fence is shared between adjoining LAND OWNERS where an owner wants to erect a dividing fence or wants work done on an existing dividing fence. It sets out only the minimum requirements.

DIY safety - practical advice for home renovators
NSW Health and the Department of Environment and Conversation have created a guide and website to give home renovators important, simple advice and practical tips to avoid harming their own and their family's health while renovating.

Fees and Charges - Certificates ONLY

Outlines the fees and charges for building certificates and other works in the City of Canterbury. Included are fees associated with building applications, permits and other fees that may apply.

Fees and Charges - City Planning Divisions - 2009/10

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.  

Fibro and Asbestos
Renovators and homeowners working with fibro and asbestos must be especially careful, as asbestos particle can be harmful to your health. For this reason the NSW Government has specifically developed some practical information.

Fire Safety
Fire safety is important to ensure the safety of the lives of persons who reside in, work in, or visit buildings of many classes such as group homes, residential flats, offices, shops, warehouses, factories, and assembly buildings. The Council has been involved for many years in the inspection and upgrading of buildings.

Greywater
There are two types of Greywater systems; Greywater Diversion Devices which do not require Council approval and Greywater Treatment Systems which require Council approval to install and operate. Further information can be found from the State Government Department of Environment and Climate Change webpage, which includes brochures and factsheets.

Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP)
The Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) is made up of professionals who will assist Council in determining development applications by providing expert independent advice on applications referred to it. It is comprised of people representing the professions of law, architecture/urban design, town planning, environmental science and social science.

Lead safety
You can take many simple actions that will protect your family from lead. You need to reduce lead in and around your home and make sure it doesn't get into your child's body or your own.

Placement of Waste Storage Containers in Public Places (including skip bins)
Persons, or Companies, holding a current licence from the Council may only place skip bins in a Public Place/Public Road. The licence applies to the owner, or provider, of the skip.

Protecting your privacy
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (or PPIP Act) deals with how, as a public sector agency, Council must manage personal information that it collects and holds as a result of its activities.

Pools, Fencing and Inspections
If your pool was constructed after 1990 youmust install a child proof fencewhich must completely enclose the pool and surrounds. Similarly if you would like to complain about a public swimming pool or spa please don't hesitate to contact us.

Property information certificates
Solicitors, enquiry agents, conveyancers, real estate agents and individuals will find this page extremely useful when dealing with enquiries relating to properties. Many of the necessary forms are presented here for your convenience. For more information, visit out "Applications forms and checklists page".

Rainwater Tanks
You do not require Council approval for tanks under 10,000l however there are requirements. Please see the Environment section of our website for further information.

Retail first or change of use including food shops
If you own and operate a restaurant or cafe, child care centre, hairdressing salon or beauty outlet, health clinic or dental surgery, naturopathy or physiotherapy clinic, sports or fitness centre, printing or publishing service, bakery, butcher shop, security installation company, hire or rental services, pet shop, pharmacy or any other type of retail outlet, you will find this page extremely useful when dealing with enquiries relating to your business. Most of the necessary information and accompanying forms and policies are presented here for your convenience.

Stormwater drainage
Our Stormwater Management Manual (SMM) - Specification 1-8 is designed to help developers adequately plan and provide appropriate stormwater pollution control measures as part of their development and to assist in compliance with development consent conditions.

Stormwater Drainage Design Manual - Specification 9
Council's Stormwater Drainage Design Manual is designed to help developers provide adequate and appropriate storm water drainage as part of their development, and to assist in compliance with conditions of Building and/or Development Consent. The Stormwater Drainage Design Manual - Specification 9 (SDDM) is not a stand-alone document, and should be read in conjunction with Council's Stormwater Management Manual - Specifications 1 to 8 and Flood Management Policy & Flood Proofing Code - Specification 10.

Subdivision information
If you have just received approval for a duplex, townhouses, villas or units and you want to subdivide the land so that the individual dwellings can be sold separately, you will also need to apply to Council for Development Approval for Subdivision.

Termite barriers in buildings
The Building Code of Australia requires that all new building work, or alterations and additions have a termite risk management method or system installed. This law came into effect in August 1995 and the method of protection needs to be installed in accordance with Australian Standard 3660.1-1995.

Your Home - Environmentally Friendly Building
The Your Home Web site contains a suite of consumer and technical guide materials and tools developed to encourage the design, construction or renovation of homes to be comfortable, healthy and more environmentally sustainable.