Development Applications

The Development Hub is a central portal where Development Applications (DAs) can be tracked.

Some forms of low impact developments such as sheds and pergolas, may not need Council approval. However, most significant developments will require a DA to obtain planning or construction consent.

Development Applications on Exhibition

You can view all proposed developments currently on public exhibition via the NSW Planning Portal.

To make an online submission on one of the development proposals, you may do so by clicking on Create Submission within in to Public Notices section of the NSW Planning Portal or by writing to Council within the exhibition period.

Development Applications require the payment of a variety of fees depending on the type, scale and cost of the proposed development.

Specific fees will apply for each application as well as additional fees relating to:

• Notification to adjoining property owners of the development
• Variation of Council policies and guidelines
• State Government Levies such as the Long Service Levy for all developments exceeding $25,000 in value and the Planning Reform Levy for all developments exceeding $50,000 in value
• Local Government Act 1993 applications for water, stormwater and sewer work and fees associated with plumbing inspections, building inspections and development on bushfire-prone land.

More information about the fees and charges applicable to your proposed development can be found by viewing Council's fees and charges or by contacting Customer Service. 

Under Section 96 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, a development consent can be modified when it can be demonstrated that the modification is substantially the same as the approved development.

There are three different types of Section 96 applications and a fee is charged relevant to the type of modification proposed.

96(1) – Modifications involving minor errors, misdescription, or miscalculation
A 96(1) would be used, for example, to correct plan numbers, the description of a development or where Council has made an error in a condition of consent.

Section 96(1A) – Modifications involving minimal environmental impact
A 96(1A) would be used for minor amendments including, alterations to internal design, minor changes to the external façade, roofline, window positions or building finishes.

Section 96(2) – Other modifications
A 96(2) would be applied to developments where there is an amendment which requires further assessment in terms of car parking, servicing, environmental impacts or appearance.

If Council does not agree that the proposed modification would result in substantially the same development as originally approved, you must submit a new development application.

Please consult with the assessing officer prior to submitting your application via the NSW Planning Portal to ensure that the proposal may be considered as a modification and that you have all the relevant information to enable assessment of the application.

Determination of modifications

A modification to an application will be determined by the authority that determined the original consent. For example, where Council granted the original consent, the modification application will be determined by Council.

Timeframes for modifications

Applications for modifications are subject to deemed refusal periods based on the type of modification proposed. The recent changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 provide for applicants to make an appeal to the court, if the Council has not made a decision within the timeframe allowed. The deemed refusal periods for the three types of Section 96 Application are:

• section 96 (1) – minor error or mis-description 50 days
• section 96 (1A) – minor modifications 50 days
• section 96 (2) – for other modifications 70 days
  
  

If you are unhappy with the determination of your DA, you may request that Council review the determination under Section 82A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, provided that the proposal was not:

• a complying development
• a designated development
• an integrated development
• a Crown development
  
  

Reviews may make changes to developments which do not make the development substantially different from what was approved or refused. A review is appropriate where you want the determination in its totality reviewed.

It is important to remember that:

• a request for a review must be made within 12 months of the determination
• a request cannot be made after an appeal against the determination made to the Land and Environment Court has been disposed of by the Court

After the review, Council may confirm or change the determination. You will also need to pay the related review fee as outlined in Council's fees and charges.

If you are dissatisfied with the determination of your DA, you may contact us to clarify issues and discuss your options. Options include:

1. A review of Council’s determination under section 82A or 96AB of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. 

A review cannot be made: 

• 6 months after the date that you received the determination of the application;
• After an appeal against the determination made to the Land and Environment Court has been dealt with by the Court; or
• If the proposal is “designated” or “integrated” development. 
  
  

In a review of Council’s determination, you may make changes to your proposal. However, the proposal must remain substantially the same as the original consent otherwise a new development application will be required. 

Only one review is permitted. You must complete an application form, pay an additional fee for the review and submit revised plans and/or supporting documentation.

2. An application may be made to modify a development and/or a particular condition of consent under section 96 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.
 
This may be appropriate if you disagree with a particular condition/s of consent or decide to amend certain aspects of the proposal. You will need to complete an application form, include written justification for the proposed modification and pay the scheduled fees.

3. Any appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court must be commenced within 6 months of the date on which you received your notice of determination.