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Development applications

A Development Application (DA) is a request that you can make to Council to carry out various types of development such as:
  • building a house, commercial or industrial building
  • making an alteration or addition to a residential, commercial or industrial property (eg new first floor to a dwelling house)
  • subdividing land
  • strata subdivision of a building
  • changing the use of a building.

Find the information you need below, or view full details of development applications lodged and determined through Council's Online Services.

If you need further information or advice, please contact us.

Do I need to submit a DA to Council?

This depends on the type of development (development proposal) that you wish to carry out. It also depends on the scale of the development proposal.

There are three main types of development proposals: Exempt, Complying and Local Developments.

Exempt Developments

Exempt development is minor development which has minimal impact on the environment. The criteria for exempt developments is listed in the Exempt and Complying Development DCP. If your development proposal falls within the nominated criteria, you don't have to lodge an application.  Complying developments are also low impact developments which have minimal impact on the environment. Again, the criteria for complying developments are listed in the Exempt and Complying Development DCP. You are required to lodge an application for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). Please note that all Council documents can be obtained from Council. Contact us. 

Local Developments

These may have a significant impact on the environment and would include new multi-unit housing buildings, and new dwelling houses that do not meet the complying development criteria. Council's consent is needed for this type of development and a DA must be submitted.

Steps in Preparing a DA

Step 1: Seek Information

Council has development standards and guidelines that will help you to prepare a DA. These include:

  • Local Environmental Plan (This document includes information on how land is zoned and allocated within the City of Randwick and contains requirements for development)
  • Development Control Plans (A DCP is a policy document produced by Council that provides information on the design and planning of developments)

A Customer Service Officer can help you with other Council policies you need to consider in preparing a DA.

In order to make an application you will need:

Council also offers a formal pre-lodgement application assessment, which is aimed at identifying key issues at an early stage, prior to lodgment of your DA. Please refer to Council's Development Application Guide (pdf 668 kb), Pre-Development Application Guide (pdf 128 kb) and Pre-Development Application Form (pdf 84.9 kb) for detailed information.

Step 2: Preparing Plans and Drawings

You will need to submit plans and drawings with your DA. The type of plans and drawings will depend on the development proposal. The Development Application Guide (pdf 668 kb) and Development Application Checklist Form (pdf 101 kb)provide more information on plans and drawings.

Step 3: Preparing a Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE)

You will need to submit a Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) with your DA. This statement should detail the following:

  • the nature of the proposal
  • the suitability of the site for development
  • the likely impact of the proposed development on the natural and built environment
  • any social or economic impacts, please download the Social Impact Assessment Guidelines (pdf 169 kb) 
  • design elements that minimise any adverse effects of the development
  • a discussion on compliance with Council policies and regulations including the LEP and any DCPs.

For more information see the Development Application Guide (pdf 668 kb)

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

You will need to submit an application form along with any plans, drawings and the SEE.
For more information see the Development Application Guide (pdf 668 kb)

Step 5: Lodging the DA with Council

You may lodge your DA directly with Council. Contact us.  A Council Officer will use the Development Application Checklist Form (pdf 101 kb) to check your application. Council will only accept a DA with all necessary information.

What is the DA process?

Once a DA is lodged, initial processing takes place with the Development Application Committee (DAC). This involves:

  • referring the application to relevant internal Council Officers and external Government Departments (if required)
  • allocating the application to an Assessment Officer.

You will receive an acknowledgement letter including your Application Reference Number and contact details for the Assessment Officer.

Council is required to notify adjoining and neighbouring owners that may be affected by a development proposal unless the proposal is of a minor nature. Therefore, in most instances, Council will also send out notification letters to persons or organisations that may wish to comment on or object to the proposed development. See: Notification of a Development Application to neighbours.

In some circumstances, Council is required to advertise a Development Application in the local newspaper. DAs that require advertising in the local press will incur an additional advertising fee and you will be notified of this when you lodge your Development Application. See: Notification of a Development Application to neighbours.

The Assessment Officer undertakes a detailed assessment of the application considering all relevant Council Planning policies and the merits of the proposal. In addition, they will consider the issues raised in any comments made by notified groups or individuals.

Development applications are assessed against various planning controls and policies which set guidelines for development within our City and within the framework of Section 79(c) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Some of these guidelines include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Solar access and Energy efficiency
  • Landscaping and Open Space
  • Floor Area
  • Height, form and Materials
  • Building Setbacks
  • Visual and Acoustic Privacy
  • Garages, Carports and Driveways
  • Fences
  • Foreshore Development
  • Views

These and other guidelines have their own objectives and performance requirements that need to be satisfied in order for the development to be considered for approval. Contact us to view or purchase copies of these plans and policies. They are also available at the Bowen Library.

Once the Assessment Officer has assessed the appilcation, they prepare a report which is reviewed by a Senior Planning Officer. The application is then determined by one of the following persons or groups for either approval or refusal:

  • a Senior Planning Officer under delegated authority
  • the Health Building and Planning Committee
  • Council at an Ordinary or Extraordinary Council Meeting.

Most DAs (to a value of $2 million) are determined by a Senior Planning Officer under delegated authority from Council. However, any person is entitled prior to the determination of an application to contact a Councillor to request that an application be referred to a meeting of Council for determination. The referral of an application to a meeting of Council must be made by three Councillors and must be in writing.

An approved DA usually has a number of conditions that you must satisfy. These are included in the Notice of Determination. Members of the public are able to view these conditions by requesting to view the DA register at Council.

If an application is refused, reasons why it has been refused are included in the Notice of Determination.

Development Applications with an estimated cost of over $2 million must be determined at a meeting of Council's Health, Building and Planning Committee or at an Ordinary or Extraordinary Council Meeting. The applicant will be notified of the meeting at which it will be discussed and will have an opportunity to speak at the meeting in favour of the application. Objectors will also be notified and there is an opportunity for an objector to speak at the meeting as well.

Once a determination on the DA is made the applicant may either:

How long will it take to process a DA?

The time taken to process a DA will depend on:

  • the type of development being proposed
  • the quality and comprehensiveness of information provided with the application
  • whether there are any complex issues to consider in relation to the development
  • the type of notification required (advertised applications generally take longer)
  • whether any person or group makes a submission to Council in relation to the DA
  • whether additional information or amendments are required  Additional amended details Form (pdf 70 Kb).

The Assessment Officer will be able to give you information on the progress of the application by letter or phone approximately three to four weeks after lodging the application.

Incomplete or insufficient information can cause delays in the DA process.

Notification of a DA to neighbours (Exhibition)

Council is required to notify most types of development to adjoining and neighbouring property owners. Certain developments are also advertised. Refer to Council's Notification LEP under Exempt and Complying Development DCP (pdf 478 kb).

An Exhibition Period of 14 days applies for most developments. Certain categories of developments such as Integrated or Designated Developments are exhibited for 30 days. During this period the development plans and information will be on display at Council's Customer Service Centre. Any interested parties are invited to view the plans and make submissions.

Council's customer service staff will assist interested persons with the plans and documents. If you want to ask more detailed/technical questions or if you are interested in the status of an application you should speak with Council's Duty Planner at the Customer Service Centre and/or contact the Assessment Officer whose contact details are located on the notification letter.

Making a Submission on a Development Application

If you feel a development proposal has the potential to impact on your property or on the wider environment then you may wish to make a formal written submission.

If you decide to make a submission and object to the proposed development the reasons for your objection must be included in your submission. To lodge a submission on a development application, you may either use email or send a written submission addressed to the General Manager. Don't forget to include your return postal address (even on email submissions) so we can contact you for further clarification if necessary and notify you of the decision regarding the application.

Further information can be found here:Making submissions on development applications - information sheet

In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government & Planning Legislation Amendment (Political Donations) Act 2008, a person making a submission on a development application must disclose donations made by the applicant or an associate of the applicant of $1,000 or more made to or for the benefit of a political party, an elected member or a group of candidates within two years before the application is made.  The disclosure requirements continue to apply until the application is determined.  A person making a submission on a development application must also disclose gifts to employees of that council. 

If you have made a reportable political donation or gift within the period of two years, please complete a Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement (pdf 158 kb).

Please note: Council will not acknowledge the receipt of any submissions.

Summaries of submissions, names and address of people making submissions may be included in the Assessment Report. All submissions within the specified period will be fully considered by Council prior to the determination of the application. Submissions are kept on file and may be accessed by other members of the public under the Local Government Act and in accordance with Council's policy of Open Access to Objection and Support Letters - Development Application.

When your submission is reviewed by the Assessing Officer, you may be contacted for further clarification of any issues you have raised. If the Assessment Officer agrees with your objections, they may contact the applicant and request amendments to the application before the matter goes any further.

Where amendments are made to a DA you may receive notification depending on the extent and type of amendments. Minor amendments are not re-notified. If you are not notified of these amendments your earlier submission will still be considered in the assessment of the application.

The Assessment Officer will address the issues raised in the submissions in an assessment report and make recommendations to an appropriate decision body. Either a Senior Planning Officer with delegated authority or Council will determine the application. 

Policital Donations and gifts - Your Disclosure Requirements

In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government & Planning Legislation Amendment (Political Donations) Act 2008, an applicant making any planning applications (including DAs or planning proposals) to Council or a person making a submission on a Development Application must disclose donations and gifts made by the applicant or an associate of the applicant of $1,000 or more made to or for the benefit of a political party, employee of the Council, an elected member or a group of candidates within two years before the application is made.  The disclosure requirements continue to apply until the application is determined. 

If you have made a reportable political donation or gift within the period of two years and you are lodging a Development Application or making a submission regarding a current Planning Application (including a Development Application or planning proposal) to Council, please complete a Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement (pdf 158 kb).  

Availability of Political Donations and Gifts Disclosures to the Public

Council is required to retain the disclosures made by applicants and people making submission to development proposals. Council must also make the disclosures available to the public. If you require access to the disclosures please download and complete Council's Access to Information Request form and forward it to Council via the details on the form.

Organising a petition about a DA

We urge anyone organising a petition regarding development applications to include their name and contact details and the organisation (if any) they represent. This contact information will enable us to send a response to the person or organisation initiating the petition. Please note that Council will only contact the person/organisation which initiated the petition. Council will not notify other signatories.

How do I find out about the result of a DA?

The determination and associated documentation will be sent to the applicant outlining the decision with respect to the DA. All persons who made a submission will also be notified of the decision regarding the application. Most applications that are approved are advertised in the local press shortly after their approval.