44% of DA applications submitted to Council need to be amended or require additional information to be provided.

This results in delays in the assessments and may require the application to be re-notified, further increasing the determination time.

To avoid assessment delays, complete the following steps

1. Be sure to understand what development rules apply

2. Prepare plans, drawings and other material (see the DA Guide)

3. Prepare a Statement of Environmental Effects

4.  Complete the DA application form (55.8 kb)

5. Lodge your application and pay the fees. The fees are based on the estimated cost of works. The cost of works must include both the industry costs of labour and materials. If the cost of works is underestimated, additional fees will be required to be paid and delays with processing of the application will be incurred.

6. Read the political disclosure requirements and complete the relevant forms if applicable.

Avoid assessment delays  

Try to avoid these reasons for assessment delays:

1. Insufficient information (see below)
2. Poor quality plans or Statement of Environmental Effects
3. Poor compliance with development rules
4. Poor designs having unacceptable impacts
5. Objections – speak with the owners and occupiers of adjoining properties.
6. Unsatisfactory impacts on trees
7. Complexity required in assessment reports

Insufficient information

We request additional information from more than 44% of all applicants. Additional information is commonly requested on the following matters:

1. Lack of consideration of the DCP elements. For housing applications it is recommended that your SOE directly addresses each DCP element of 5.1(single housing) or 5.2 (multiple housing).

2. Lack of justification for removal of trees. See element 4.10 of the DCP Tree Management for which outlines what matters need to considered in the assessment of developments impacted upon by a tree.

3. Impact on heritage items or conservation areas. Visit our heritage conservation areas and heritage register pages for more information.

4. Investigation of overshadowing impacts. Prepare overshadowing diagrams and ensure that neighbouring properties are not adversely impacted by the proposal.

5. Lack of investigation into stormwater requirements and potential flooding.  Council's Technical Manual contains details on stormwater and water efficiency. Element 4.3 Flood management outlines Council's requirements for developments on land that are flood effected.

6. Requirements for potentially contaminated land. Make sure you read the SEPP 55 requirements , and use Element 4.2 Contaminated Land Management to gain more information on Council's requirements. Further information is also available in the technical manual supporting the DCP in the chapter titled Contaminated Land Management.

If your DA does not have the information required it will take longer to process your application.

  Council’s DA Guide (395kb) provides more detailed information about each of these steps to help you.