Approvals

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

Class 2 Construction Certificates NSW 2026: When Regulated Designs and RDP Declarations Must Be Ready Before Building Work Starts

For Class 2 apartment work in NSW, a Construction Certificate alone does not authorise commencement under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020. Regulated designs and Design Compliance Declar...

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

18 Sept 2026

Traffic Impact Assessments NSW DA 2026: When Councils Require TIA, Traffic Statements and Parking Reports

In NSW, councils typically require a full Transport Impact Assessment (TIA) when a proposal is large enough or located such that it may affect network safety or efficiency—especially where referral to...

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

18 Sept 2026

Dilapidation Reports NSW DA 2026: When Councils Require Pre-Construction Surveys and How They Protect Adjoining Owners

In NSW, a dilapidation report is commonly required as a condition of development consent before site work starts—not always as a lodgement document. NSW Planning’s standard residential conditions requ...

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

17 Sept 2026

Arborist Reports NSW DA 2026: AS 4970:2025, AIA, NRZ Encroachment and When Councils Require Tree Retention Evidence

Most Greater Sydney councils will ask for an Arboricultural Impact Assessment where a DA affects the Notional Root Zone of protected onsite, neighbour or street trees. Design to AS 4970:2025 and lodge a site-specific AIA with TPP/TPS.

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

16 Sept 2026

BASIX for NSW Swimming Pools and Spas 2026: The 40,000-Litre Trigger and the $50,000 Alterations Rule

Answer first: In NSW, a BASIX certificate is required for a swimming pool and/or spa with a total volume greater than 40,000 litres , and/or for alterations and additions valued at $50,000 and over . ...

Approval Process BASIX Council Approval NSW Planning basix-certification basix-compliance energy efficiency nathers

16 Sept 2026

Class 2 Regulated Designs NSW: Which Building Elements Need an RDP Design Compliance Declaration Under the DBP Act

Answer first: Under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 , a regulated design is a design prepared for a building element or a performance solution on Class 2 (and other regulated) build...

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

15 Sept 2026

Statement of Environmental Effects NSW DA 2026: What Councils Expect and How to Avoid RFIs

Answer first: A Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) is a mandatory document for most NSW local Development Applications. It must explain the proposal, identify environmental impacts, show how tho...

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

15 Sept 2026

Acoustic Reports NSW DA 2026: When Councils Require Noise Assessments Near Roads, Rail and Mechanical Plant

Answer first: Under the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP 2021, residential DAs near rail corridors or busy roads must meet internal LAeq targets — bedrooms 35 dB(A) (10 pm–7 am) and other habitable r...

Approval Process Development Application NSW Planning acoustic-separation da-application due-diligence new-south-wales site-assessment

14 Sept 2026

Contaminated Land NSW DA 2026: SEPP Resilience and Hazards, PSI Reports and When Councils Require Remediation

Answer first: Under Chapter 4 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 , a consent authority must not consent to development unless it has considered whether the land is co...

Approval Process Development Application NSW Planning da-application due-diligence new-south-wales site-assessment soil-testing

13 Sept 2026

Clause 4.6 Variations NSW 2026: When Councils Allow Departure from Development Standards

Answer first: Clause 4.6 of the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan allows a consent authority to grant development consent even where a proposal contravenes a development standard (for examp...

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

11 Sept 2026

Shadow Diagrams NSW DA 2026: Solar Access, Overshadowing Rules and When Councils Ask for Them

In NSW, shadow diagrams show existing and proposed overshadowing so councils can test solar access to neighbours and to your own dwelling. Requirements sit mainly in local DCPs (often 9am/12pm/3pm on ...

Development Application LEP/DCP NSW Planning apartment-design da-application new-south-wales nsw-building-compliance site-assessment

10 Sept 2026

BASIX Alterations NSW 2026: Why You Still Need a Certificate Over $50k — Even With No Commitments

Answer first: For NSW alterations and additions to an existing BASIX-affected dwelling costing $50,000 or more, a BASIX certificate is required regardless of the nature of the works. The online tool a...

BASIX Home Renovation NSW Planning basix-certification basix-compliance energy efficiency nathers renovation

10 Sept 2026

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