Approvals & Compliance Blog | giantA Pty Ltd

16 Articles

DA approval ×

NSW Housing Pattern Book 2026: How to Fast-Track Your Approval in 10 Days

Author: Franz Phan, Senior Planning Consultant, giantA Pty Ltd (15+ years NSW development experience) Published: 19 August 2026 Introduction The NSW Housing Pattern Book represents the most significan...

Approval Process DA approval NSW Planning cc-approval cdc-approval nsw-planning planning portal 2026 planning-reforms

Aug 18, 2026

Soil Testing and Geotechnical Investigation in NSW 2026: Complete Site Classification, AS 2870 Compliance and Foundation Cost Guide

Author: Franz Phan, Senior Planning Consultant, giantA Pty Ltd (15+ years experience in NSW residential and multi-unit development) Why Soil Testing Is the First Decision That Shapes Your Entire Build...

Approval Process DA approval NSW Planning construction-costs nsw-planning soil-testing

Aug 14, 2026

CDC vs DA in NSW (2026): Which Approval Path Is Faster for Your Project?

Real case: a two-storey addition in Parramatta qualified as complying development. The owner chose the DA route "to be safe". Seventy days and a neighbour-notification round later, the same plans coul...

Approval Process CDC Complying Development DA approval NSW Planning cdc-approval

Aug 13, 2026

DA Checklist NSW 2026: Every Document You Need Before Lodging a Development Application

Real scenario: a 451 m² duplex site in Western Sydney, two-storey, R3 zoning. The owner lodged a DA without a proper SEE and got an RFI (Request for Information) three weeks in — adding six weeks to t...

Approval Process DA approval NSW Planning development application nsw-planning

Aug 13, 2026

Torrens Title vs Strata Title Subdivision in NSW 2026: Complete Cost Comparison, Process & Decision Guide

Torrens Title vs Strata Title Subdivision in NSW 2026: Complete Cost Comparison, Process Decision Guide Subdividing land in New South Wales offers one of the most reliable pathways to unlock property ...

DA approval NSW Planning construction-costs home-renovation nsw-planning

Aug 13, 2026

Prefabricated Buildings in NSW: How the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 Changes Everything

Prefabricated Buildings in NSW: How the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 Changes Everything NSW just became the first Australian state to legally recognise prefab and modular construct...

Approval Process CDC DA approval Home Renovation cdc-approval home-building-act nsw-planning renovation

Aug 13, 2026

Owner-Builder Permits NSW 2026: Complete Guide to Costs, Eligibility & Restrictions

Building your own home in NSW can save tens of thousands in builder margins — but it comes with legal responsibilities that catch many owner-builders off guard. Since the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) ...

DA approval Home Building Act Home Renovation NSW Planning owner-builder renovation residential-projects

Aug 10, 2026

Granny Flat Energy Compliance NSW 2026: BASIX Requirements for Secondary Dwellings

TL;DR Every granny flat (secondary dwelling) built in NSW requires a BASIX certificate before a Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can be approved. The BASIX certi...

7 star rating Air Tightness Approval Process BASIX CDC DA approval DCA development application

Aug 10, 2026

Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026: What NSW's Biggest Regulatory Overhaul Means for Your Project

The NSW Parliament passed the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 on 4 August 2026, marking the most significant overhaul of the state's building regulatory framework in a generation. The...

Approval Process DA approval NSW Planning NSW building regulations Sustainable Building basix-compliance building-advice cc-approval

Aug 9, 2026

Home Building Act NSW 2026: What the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill Means for Your Project

The Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) governs every residential building contract, statutory warranty, and insurance requirement in New South Wales. In 2026, the NSW Government introduced the Fair Trading ...

DA approval Home Renovation NSW Planning Residential Projects basix-certification cdc-approval duplex

Aug 9, 2026

Section 4.55 Modification Applications in NSW 2026: Complete Guide to the March Reform Changes, Pathways & Fees

How do you modify an existing development consent in NSW? You modify an existing development consent in NSW by lodging a section 4.55 modification application with the original consent authority throu...

Approval Process DA approval Home Renovation NSW Planning Residential Projects duplex

Aug 7, 2026

The Complete Guide to NSW Development Approval (DA) Process 2026

A comprehensive, step-by-step guide for homeowners, developers, and builders navigating the NSW planning system. Executive Summary The NSW Development Approval (DA) process is a critical pathway for a...

Approval Process BASIX CDC DA approval LEP/DCP NSW Planning Town Planner development application

Aug 1, 2026

1
2