Environment & Planning
5. Development Applications
Authors: Staff Legal Eagle
Firm / Chambers:
Last updated: 26 Jul 2015
- In Australia assessment of development proposals varies between states and territories. You must speak to your local council for information specific to your area. If you are unsure about your obligations under the law you should also consider speaking to a lawyer. Our free Find a Lawyer directory may help put you in touch with the assistance you need.
- A development application is required for all developments that are not classified as either a complying or exempt development.
- You should check all relevant planning instruments to ensure that your proposed development is permissible under the instruments.
- Before preparing a development application you should contact the local duty planner in your area who will be able to advise you:
- whether you can carry out the proposed development;
- whether your proposed development requires a development application;
- which planning instruments may be applicable; and
- what fees you may be required to pay.
- There will be different forms depending on whether the proposed development is small scale residential or small scale commercial.
- Each local council has different requirements relating to the documents to be prepared and submitted with your development application. Generally the documents required will be:
- the development application form;
- a statement of environmental effects;
- the relevant fees;
- an estimate of the cost of the proposed development;
- scaled drawings including plans and blueprints; and
- digital copies of the completed application.
- There may also be specific requirements in preparing your development application. Some councils in NSW require that if the estimated cost of your proposed development is greater than $150,000 the cost report must be provided by a qualified person.
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