Lodging an application

There are four methods available to lodge applications with City of Newcastle (CN).

1. NSW Planning Portal 

Applications accepted via the portal include:

  • Development Applications (DA's), 
  • Applications to modify a DA and 
  • Where CN is nominated to complete the assessment of a Complying Development Certificate, Construction Certificate, Occupation Certificate and Subdivision Certificate or appointed as the Principal Certifier for a development.​

On the 1st January 2021 the NSW Planning Portal will be the only method available to lodge these applications. More information can be found on our E-Planning page.

2. Email

Email an application to applications@ncc.nsw.gov.au for the following application types:

  • All applications listed above e.g. DA, CC, CDC, until the 31st December 2020
  • Requests for reviews of determinations 
  • Hoarding Applications
  • Pre-DA's
  • Swimming Pool Compliance Certificates
  • Building Information Certificates
  • Flood Certificates
  • Requests for copies of plans
  • Roads Act Application 
  • Subdivision Works Certificates

The email should meet the following criteria: 

  • The property address and the type of application (i.e. DA, Mod) in the subject line of the email.
  • The documents named in accordance with our Plan Standards information sheet.
  • Documents forming part of the application that exceed 10MB, are to be stored in a 'drop box' account and a 'public link' created to the documents. Copy the link and share that link in your email
  • Development Applications must include a completed application form and all documents specified in the relevant checklist. The documents are to be placed on a USB or CD Rom or emailed to the City of Newcastle. The application will be reviewed to determine if it contains enough information for it to be lodged. If the application is considered acceptable for lodgement purposes, you will be contacted to arrange payment. Once the payment is taken the application is considered formally “lodged”.

More information is available on the information sheet titled "How to submit an application via email".

3. In person

In person, at the Customer Contact Centre, located at 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West. Call (02) 4974 2000 to book a lodgement appointment with the Duty Officer.

4. Mail

Mail to City of Newcastle, PO Box 489, Newcastle NSW 2300. The documents are to be placed on a USB or CD Rom to the City of Newcastle.  Documents are to be named in accordance with our Plan Standards.

Frequently asked questions

If lodging an application directly with City of Newcastle, an electronic copy of the form and any applicable checklist is required.  It is recommended the form be completed electronically or scanned once all required signatures are provided and included with the application.  CN's application forms can be accessed on our DA Forms and Checklists age

Any USB or CD rom should be submitted with a covering letter detailing what is contained on the USB or CD rom, including the address of the application and the type of application. 

If lodging through the NSW Planning Portal, a completed application form is not required. Visit our E-Planning page for more information in relation to forms and checklists. 

The files should be prepared in accordance with the document tiled Plan Standards i.e. a description of the document, the address of the subject property and the date the document was prepared.

All correspondence, including any stamped plans, will be returned via the nominated email on the application form or the Planning Portal (if lodged via the Portal).  Documents that exceed 10MB will be placed in our Drop-box and made available for retrieval.

Any application that is approved will have a copy of the stamped plans available on CN’s Application Tracker.

Would you like to book an appointment to lodge your DA?

Call 4974 2000 to book your appointment.

Appointments are 20 minute time slots at our City Administration Centre, 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle. Please arrive five minutes before the appointment to avoid delays. No fee is charged for this service.

For more information please read our FAQs on the Duty Officer process