A landscape plan for a NSW development application shows how the site will be planted, paved and retained so landscaped area, deep soil, tree protection and streetscape outcomes match the LEP/DCP (and, for apartments, the Apartment Design Guide). Many councils require a plan prepared by a suitably qualified landscape architect or designer for new dwellings, dual occupancy, medium-density and commercial work. Align the plan with the survey, arborist advice and any BASIX landscape commitments — never invent percentages or fees.
What is a landscape plan for a NSW DA?
A landscape plan is a scaled drawing (often with a short report or plant schedule) that documents existing and proposed soft and hard landscape works. Assessors use it to check:
- Landscaped area and deep soil against LEP/DCP numerical standards
- Tree retention, removal and replacement (often with an arborist report under AS 4970)
- Streetscape character, privacy screening and interface with the public domain
- Drainage, irrigation, levels and retaining walls that affect neighbours
- Consistency with BASIX water/landscape commitments where residential BASIX applies
It is not a substitute for a site survey, architectural site plan, stormwater design or arboricultural impact assessment — those documents must tell the same story as the planting layout.
When do NSW councils require a landscape plan?
Triggers are local. There is no single statewide form that forces every shed or internal renovation to lodge a full landscape package. Check the council DA checklist and DCP landscape chapter first. Typical patterns across Greater Sydney include:
| Development type | Typical landscape evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New dwelling house / dual occupancy / semi | Concept or full landscape plan; landscaped-area calculation | Blue Mountains DCP-style checklists require a concept landscape plan for new dwellings; minor works may show planting on the site plan |
| Residential flat buildings / townhouses / shop-top | Landscape plan + ADG deep soil / communal open space evidence | Housing SEPP Chapter 4 gives the ADG legal force for residential apartment development |
| Commercial / industrial / childcare / places of worship | Landscape plan by qualified landscape architect/designer | Camden and Parramatta DCP-style controls often list these uses explicitly |
| Alterations and additions | Landscape area calculation; sometimes a plan if external works are significant | Inner West guidance distinguishes landscape area plans for alterations from full landscape plans for new buildings |
| Subdivision / riparian / ecological rehabilitation | Landscape / rehabilitation plans | Follow LGA ecological and waterway chapters |
Inner West Council (DA Lodgement Guide) states that applications for new dwelling houses, semi-detached dwellings, residential flat buildings, townhouses, new commercial/industrial buildings, or the like, must include a landscape plan prepared by a suitably qualified landscape architect or designer. Camden Council requires landscape plans for commercial, industrial, subdivision, waterfront/riparian, ecological rehabilitation and medium/high-density residential development. City of Parramatta DCP-style controls require a landscape plan by a qualified landscape architect or designer for residential, commercial, industrial, childcare, places of worship and environmentally sensitive sites. Always download the live LGA checklist — wording changes.
What must a fit-for-purpose landscape plan show?
Council checklists vary, but metro lodgement guides commonly expect:
| Element | What assessors look for |
|---|---|
| Levels and contours | Existing and finished levels (often to AHD), cut/fill, retaining walls with heights and construction notes |
| Existing vegetation | Trees and large shrubs to be retained or removed — species, height, canopy spread, trunk diameter, spot levels at base — matching the survey and any arborist report |
| Proposed planting | Botanic and common names, pot sizes, quantities, mature height/spread; turf vs garden beds |
| Deep soil / landscaped area | Clearly hatched or labelled zones with dimensions that meet the LGA definition |
| Hardscape | Paths, driveways, paving, fences, bins, clothes drying, outdoor living |
| Structures on landscape | Outbuildings, pools, decks, planter boxes (permanent vs movable) |
| Drainage and irrigation | Surface falls, subsoil drainage where relevant, irrigation systems |
| Soil and mulch | Soil mixes, topsoil depth, mulch specification where the checklist asks |
| BASIX links | Landscape and alternative-water commitments shown consistently with the certificate |
Apartment Design Guide (ADG) appendix documentation for a landscape plan typically includes: building footprint and pedestrian/vehicle/service access; trees to be removed (dotted) and retained with tree protection zones; deep soil zones and associated planting; planting on structure with soil depth; proposed species and sizes; and public, communal and private open space. See NSW Planning — Apartment Design Guide.
Landscaped area vs deep soil — why the definitions matter
Many RFIs happen because applicants hatch “green” areas that do not meet the DCP definition.
Landscaped area (example — City of Parramatta DCP-style criteria) is often only counted where the area:
- is at least 2 m × 2 m
- is at ground level
- has a minimum soil depth of about 1.2 m
- is permeable soft landscape (or sometimes a pool water surface under local rules)
- is not driveway, paved area, roofed area, car parking, stormwater structure or deck
Deep soil is typically stricter — for example a minimum 4 m × 4 m at ground, not over basements, podiums, outbuildings or impervious surfaces. Parramatta-style residential controls commonly seek around 30% deep soil and 40% landscaped area of the site for some typologies — but percentages are typology- and LGA-specific. Never copy another suburb’s number into your SEE.
For residential apartment development, ADG Objective 3E sets deep-soil design criteria by site area (commonly discussed as roughly 7% / 10% / 15% of site area with minimum dimensions of 3 m or 6 m depending on site size and tree cover). The Housing SEPP practice note clarifies that the ADG is a guide unless the SEPP expressly elevates criteria — still, panels and councils expect a serious response. Where deep soil cannot be achieved (CBD, 100% coverage), provide alternative planting-on-structure and stormwater outcomes as the ADG guidance contemplates.
How does BASIX link to the landscape plan?
For residential development that requires BASIX under State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022, the Water section assesses lawn/garden area, low-water-use planting and alternative water for irrigation.
NSW Planning Portal BASIX guidance states:
- Enter total lawn and/or garden area measured from the DA plans
- Nominate low-water-use / indigenous planting areas where claimed
- For any areas of low-water-use plant species nominated, a landscape plan must be submitted with the development application listing the specific plant species
- All BASIX commitments, including landscaping, form part of the consent
- Landscape need not be fully established before occupation, but the consent obligation remains and councils may inspect
See BASIX — Landscape and Measuring landscape area. Coordinate pot sizes and species lists with the BASIX certificate schedule so the landscape plan does not invent a different commitment.
Related giantA reading: BASIX Water Efficiency NSW 2026 and BASIX Dual Occupancy NSW 2026.
How does a landscape plan relate to arborist, stormwater and SEE documents?
| Document | Primary question | Relationship to landscape plan |
|---|---|---|
| Arborist report / AIA (AS 4970) | Which trees are retained, pruned or removed; TPZ/NRZ encroachment | Tree numbers, TPZs and retention must match the landscape sheet |
| Stormwater / OSD package | How runoff is detained and discharged | Soft landscape and permeable areas must not contradict OSD calculations — see stormwater/OSD guidance already published on giantA Approvals |
| Site survey | Accurate tree positions, levels, boundaries | Landscape plan is drawn over survey truth, not sketch guesses |
| Architectural site plan | Building footprint, setbacks, POS | Deep soil and landscaped area hatch must fit the same footprint |
| Statement of Environmental Effects | Planning justification | SEE should summarise landscaped area % and deep soil % using the same numbers as the landscape calculation sheet |
Inconsistency between the arborist schedule and the landscape legend is one of the fastest ways to earn an RFI.
Process overview: from concept design to Planning Portal lodgement
- Pull the Section 10.7 certificate and LEP maps; note heritage, biodiversity, riparian and flood overlays that change planting rules.
- Read the LGA DA checklist and DCP landscape / residential chapters for numerical standards and who must prepare the plan.
- Commission a feature survey early; mark existing trees accurately.
- If prescribed trees or significant canopy are affected, engage an arborist before locking the footprint — see our Arborist Reports NSW DA 2026 guide.
- Architect and landscape designer iterate setbacks, basement extents and deep-soil corridors together — basement that fills the lot kills deep soil.
- Calculate landscaped area and deep soil using the LGA definitions, not marketing “garden” area.
- Complete BASIX (where required) using lawn/garden areas measured from the same plans; list low-water species on the landscape schedule if claimed.
- Assemble the DA package on the NSW Planning Portal with SEE, plans, landscape package, arborist report and certificates as separate files per portal practice.
- After consent, implement any landscape bond, detailed landscape conditions or occupation-certificate landscaping certifications the notice of determination requires.
How architects and planners should coordinate the package
- Architect / designer — freeze building footprint, basement outline, driveway and POS early; leave continuous deep-soil corridors that can join neighbours where DCP guidance encourages contiguous canopy.
- Landscape architect / designer — author the plan and plant schedule to the LGA checklist; nominate pot sizes that are plantable and maintainable, not just “pretty on paper”.
- Town planner — put the correct landscaped-area and deep-soil percentages in the SEE; cite the DCP clause; do not invent higher percentages than the drawings achieve.
- BASIX / NatHERS consultant — align water-section landscape inputs with the drawn areas; giantA provides architecture, drafting and BASIX/NatHERS from Parramatta CBD across Greater NSW — see giantA services.
- Civil engineer — ensure OSD and overland flow paths do not erase the deep-soil zones the planner is relying on.
How to avoid landscape RFIs
- Use the live LGA definition of landscaped area and deep soil — especially minimum dimensions and soil depth.
- Match tree IDs across survey, arborist report and landscape legend.
- Show replacement trees where prescribed trees are removed, to the DCP rate and species list where specified.
- Hatch deep soil only where there is no basement or structure underneath.
- List botanic names for every BASIX low-water commitment species.
- Coordinate fence heights, bin rooms and services so they do not silently consume front-setback planting.
- Do not invent canopy percentages, bond amounts or GSC statistics — quote the consent authority schedule or state that fees will be confirmed with council.
- For apartments, respond to ADG deep soil and communal open space with drawings, not slogans.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landscape architect for every NSW DA?
Not always. Many councils accept a suitably qualified landscape designer for dwellings; some checklists explicitly require a landscape architect for new houses, RFBs and commercial buildings (for example Inner West’s lodgement guide). Follow the checklist for your LGA and development type.
Can landscaping on a podium count as deep soil?
Usually no. Deep soil is defined as ground-level soil unimpeded by buildings or structures above and below. Podium planting is “planting on structure” and needs adequate soil depth, but it does not normally satisfy deep-soil percentages. Check the LGA DCP and ADG wording for your project.
What if BASIX claims low-water planting but my landscape plan uses thirsty exotic turf everywhere?
That mismatch can become a consent and certification problem. Portal guidance requires a landscape plan listing the specific low-water species where those areas are nominated. Align the certificate and the schedule before lodgement.
Is a landscape plan the same as a landscaped area calculation plan?
No. Some councils (for example Inner West for residential alterations) ask for a landscaped area plan or calculation to prove numerical compliance, while a full landscape plan adds planting design, levels, hardscape and schedules for new buildings. Read which document the checklist names.
How does Housing SEPP low- and mid-rise landscaping interact with local DCPs?
SEPP (Housing) 2021 includes landscaping provisions for dual occupancy, multi-dwelling and low/mid-rise pathways in relevant chapters. Local DCP landscaped-area rules still matter for many DA pathways. Confirm which instrument prevails for your pathway and show compliance on the drawings.
Where do I find official starting points?
Start with your council’s DA lodgement checklist and DCP landscape chapter (examples: Inner West DA Lodgement Guide; Camden landscape plan requirements; City of Parramatta DCP landscape/deep soil controls), NSW Planning Portal BASIX landscape pages, the Apartment Design Guide (Parts 3 and appendices), and the NSW Housing Pattern Book landscape design guide for pattern-book projects.
Key takeaways for 2026 NSW projects
Treat the landscape plan as approval evidence, not decoration: confirm whether your LGA wants a calculation sheet, a concept plan or a full landscape architect package; prove landscaped area and deep soil with the correct definitions; lock tree retention with the arborist; and keep BASIX landscape commitments identical to the plant schedule. Never invent fees, percentages or canopy statistics — cite the DCP, SEPP, ADG and Planning Portal sources that apply to the site.
For coordinated architectural documentation, drafting and BASIX/NatHERS support across Greater NSW — from Parramatta CBD outwards — visit giantA services.
Sources
- Inner West Council — DA Lodgement Guide for Applicants (landscape plan qualification, content list including levels, trees, deep soil, BASIX commitments).
- Camden Council — Landscape Plan Requirements.
- City of Parramatta — DCP landscape area and deep soil criteria (minimum dimensions, soil depth, when a qualified landscape architect/designer is required).
- NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure — Apartment Design Guide (landscape plan documentation; Objective 3E deep soil); Housing SEPP practice note on using the ADG; NSW Housing Pattern Book — Landscape design guide.
- NSW Planning Portal — BASIX Landscape; Measuring landscape area.
- State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022; State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021; Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) — Part 4 DA documentation via the NSW Planning Portal.