Approvals

Streamlining DA, CDC, CC & BASIX/NatHERS approvals efficiently

Mixed-Use Class 2 Buildings NSW 2026: When Apartments Pull Offices, Retail and Carparks into the DBP Act

One Class 2 part makes the whole NSW building regulated under the DBP Act — ground-floor shops, offices and the basement carpark included. How NCC classification, the fit-out exclusion, low-rise and medium-rise registration limits and Planning Portal lodgement work on mixed-use projects.

Approval Process apartment-design class-2-building dbp-act design-practitioner multi-residential nsw-building-compliance regulated-design

13 Oct 2026

Biodiversity Reports NSW DA 2026: When Councils Require a BDAR, Test of Significance or Flora and Fauna Assessment

A NSW DA needs a BDAR when it clears native vegetation on Biodiversity Values Map land, exceeds the area clearing threshold, fails the five-part test or sits in an AOBV. How the triggers work, who can prepare the report, credit obligations, CDCs, the Cumberland Plain plan and the 2024 reforms.

Approval Process Council Approval Development Application NSW Planning new-south-wales site-assessment specialist-coordination western-sydney

12 Oct 2026

Blacktown Planning Updates October 2026: Mount Druitt Rezoning in Effect, New CBD Tower Controls Proposed and Marsden Park Changes

Blacktown October 2026 planning digest: Mount Street, Mount Druitt rezoning in force, proposed Mount Druitt CBD DCP tower controls, Sydney Business Park Stage 2 rezoning made, Seven Hills LEP with DPHI, revised Marsden Park contributions plan and what to watch.

Approval Process Council Approval Development Application LEP/DCP NSW Planning Town Planner planning-reforms sydney

11 Oct 2026

BASIX Certificate Validation NSW 2026: Planning Portal Reference Numbers, ‘Review Required’ Address Mismatches and DA/CDC Lodgement Errors

Since 31 July 2026, BASIX certificates are no longer uploaded to NSW DAs and CDCs. You enter the reference number and the Planning Portal validates it before submission. What each validation message means, why certificates get flagged ‘Review required’, and how to lodge without delays.

Approval Process BASIX NSW Planning basix-certification basix-compliance cdc-approval da-application planning portal 2026

7 Oct 2026

Liverpool Planning Updates October 2026: DCP Housekeeping Adopted, Leppington and Mannix Parade Rezonings in Effect and the New LEP Post-Exhibition

Liverpool October 2026 planning digest: DCP 2008 Stage 1 housekeeping adopted, Leppington Town Centre and Mannix Parade rezonings in effect, new Liverpool LEP post-exhibition, city-centre contributions waiver extended to 2033, and what to watch.

Approval Process Council Approval Development Application LEP/DCP NSW Planning Town Planner planning-reforms sydney

7 Oct 2026

Class 2 Apartment Renovations NSW 2026: When Strata Bathroom, Wall and Balcony Works Need RDP Regulated Designs Under the DBP Act

Renovating an apartment in a NSW Class 2 building? Waterproofing, structural, fire and enclosure work usually needs RDP regulated designs lodged on the Planning Portal before work starts. When the narrow bathroom and kitchen exclusion applies, and how it fits with strata approval.

Approval Process apartment-design class-2-building dbp-act design-practitioner multi-residential nsw-building-compliance regulated-design

6 Oct 2026

Survey Plans NSW DA 2026: Detail and Level Surveys, Boundary Identification, AHD Levels and What Councils Require

Most NSW DAs with external works need a registered surveyor’s detail and level survey to AHD — plus a boundary survey near boundaries. What City of Sydney, Inner West, Parramatta and Blacktown require, and how the survey feeds every other DA document.

Approval Process CDC Council Approval Development Application NSW Planning new-south-wales site-assessment sydney

5 Oct 2026

Canterbury-Bankstown Planning Updates October 2026: Special Entertainment Precincts Adopted, Bankstown DCP Housekeeping and Ausgrid Sites on Exhibition

Canterbury-Bankstown October 2026 planning digest: Bankstown and Campsie Special Entertainment Precincts adopted (gazettal pending), Bankstown City Centre DCP housekeeping adopted, Chester Square in effect, and Ausgrid sites on exhibition to 27 October.

Approval Process Council Approval Development Application LEP/DCP NSW Planning Town Planner planning-reforms sydney

4 Oct 2026

BASIX Tool Upgrades NSW May 2026: Low-SHGC Glazing for Alterations, Ventilation Changes and Version 4.04

From 1 May 2026 the NSW BASIX tool expanded low-SHGC glazing for alterations and additions, removed roof-space exhaust options for new homes, and moved to standards version 4.04 — while renovations valued at $50,000 or more still need a certificate.

Approval Process BASIX Home Renovation Ventilation basix-certification basix-compliance nathers thermal performance

1 Oct 2026

City of Ryde Planning Updates October 2026: TG Millner Draft DCP Closed, LEP Proposal Post-Exhibition and Interim Heritage Order

City of Ryde October 2026 planning digest: TG Millner draft DCP post-exhibition, Vimiera Road LEP proposal still awaiting finalisation, and Interim Heritage Order No. 9.

Approval Process Council Approval Development Application LEP/DCP NSW Planning Town Planner planning-reforms sydney

30 Sept 2026

Class 2 Remedial Building Work NSW 2026: When the DBP Act Requires CIRDs, RDP Design Compliance Declarations and Planning Portal Lodgement

For Class 2 (and mixed-use with a Class 2 part) buildings in NSW, remedial and defect rectification work usually needs Construction Issued Regulated Designs and design compliance declarations lodged on the Planning Portal before work starts — unless a verified emergency carve-out applies.

Approval Process apartment-design class-2-building dbp-act design-practitioner multi-residential nsw-building-compliance regulated-design

29 Sept 2026

Contamination Reports NSW DA 2026: When Councils Require a PSI, DSI, RAP or Site Audit

Greater Sydney consent authorities must consider contamination under Resilience and Hazards SEPP Chapter 4. Know when a PSI is required — and when a DSI, RAP or Site Audit Statement follows.

Approval Process Council Approval Development Application LEP/DCP NSW Planning Town Planner new-south-wales sydney

28 Sept 2026

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