How Do I Avoid Delays When Gathering DA Documents?

If you're lodging a development application in NSW, the paperwork can quickly become a roadblock.

Missing, incorrect or poorly prepared documents are one of the most common reasons a DA gets delayed.

To avoid costly setbacks, here’s how you can streamline your documentation process from the outset.

1. Know exactly what your council requires

Every local council in NSW has its own checklist for DA approval.

Some require additional reports like arborist assessments or flood studies, depending on the site.

Others expect supporting documentation such as BASIX certificates, shadow diagrams and waste management plans.

As a town planning company experienced with councils across Sydney and regional NSW, we understand these variations and guide clients through them from day one.

Using a planning consultant who works closely with local authorities can save you weeks of back and forth.

2. Start with a planning advice session

The fastest way to avoid unnecessary documents is to seek early planning advice.

We often meet homeowners who’ve downloaded generic checklists online but are working with outdated or irrelevant requirements.

By reviewing your property’s zoning, overlays and constraints, we identify exactly which reports and drawings are needed.

This helps you avoid spending time and money on documentation that won’t impact your council approval.

3. Coordinate drafting and town planning in-house

A common cause of DA delays is when architects, engineers and planning consultants aren’t aligned.

We offer in house architectural drafting alongside our NSW planning services, which allows us to produce plans that meet both design intent and DA requirements.

For example, one client in the Inner West had previously submitted plans through a third party architect that didn’t align with local setbacks or height limits.

By bringing both drafting and town planning under one roof, we helped them revise and resubmit within two weeks, avoiding a full re lodgement.

4. Allow time for specialist reports

If your DA needs input from a traffic engineer, heritage consultant or acoustic specialist, factor in their lead times early.

These professionals often have full pipelines and may require 2 to 4 weeks to prepare a final report.

We manage these subconsultants directly as part of our DA support service, ensuring they receive the base plans and site context promptly.

This coordination keeps the development application process on track.

5. Double-check all plans and documents before submission

Even a small error in your site plan or statement of environmental effects can cause delays.

We conduct thorough pre lodgement reviews to catch issues like inconsistent dimensions, missing signatures or outdated versions of reports.

This attention to detail helps reduce the chance of a council requesting further information.

6. Respond quickly to council requests

Once your DA is lodged, council may issue an RFI (request for information) if anything needs clarification.

Timeframes to respond are typically short, so it helps to have a planning consultant who can liaise with council on your behalf.

We regularly handle these requests, ensuring they’re answered accurately and within deadline.

That responsiveness can mean the difference between a smooth DA approval and months of delay.

With the right planning advice and experienced town planning support, gathering DA documents doesn't need to be stressful.

Taking a proactive and coordinated approach will put you in the best position to get your council approval without delays.