How Do I Lodge a DA with Council?

If you're planning to build, extend or change the use of a property in NSW, chances are you’ll need a Development Application (DA).

Knowing when and how to lodge a DA is crucial for achieving council approval and avoiding costly delays.

As a town planning company based in NSW, we work with homeowners, developers and business owners across residential and commercial projects.

From concept design through to DA approval, we streamline the process by offering accurate advice and detailed documentation.

Start with Planning Advice

The first step is understanding whether your proposal requires a DA approval or can proceed under a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

Not all work needs a full development application.

A qualified planning consultant can assess your site zoning, heritage constraints, and building regulations in NSW to determine the best path forward.

For example, if you're looking to add a granny flat in a low-density residential zone, you may be able to lodge a council submission for secondary dwelling NSW.

But if you're altering a heritage-listed home, you’ll need a heritage impact statement from NSW town planning and a detailed statement of environmental effects for NSW DA.

Gather the Right Documentation

A typical DA requires architectural plans, shadow diagrams, landscaping layouts, waste management details and a statement of environmental effects.

Depending on your project type, you may also need flood, bushfire or traffic reports.

Our town planning services for residential development in NSW often include coordinating with consultants to ensure all reports meet NSW planning requirements.

If your proposal doesn’t meet certain controls, we can assist with a Clause 4.6 variation request NSW.

Lodge via the NSW Planning Portal

All DAs in NSW must now be lodged through the NSW Planning Portal.

This platform replaces paper-based submissions and makes the process more transparent.

You’ll need to create an account, upload your documentation and pay the relevant application fees.

Many first-time applicants underestimate the time involved in preparing a compliant development application.

Having a town planner NSW manage the submission can reduce rejections and requests for more information.

What Happens After Lodgement?

Once submitted, the council reviews your application against the NSW DCP (Development Control Plan) and LEP (Local Environmental Plan).

If your site has constraints or design departures, council may request changes or additional documentation.

In one recent case, we assisted a client in getting DA approval for a duplex on a narrow lot by supporting the design with a robust planning argument and expert documents, including a Clause 4.6 variation request.

The client had previously received a rejection but succeeded with the right guidance.

Support for All Development Types

Whether it’s a dual occupancy, commercial change of use, or a subdivision, our experience as a NSW town planning consultant for subdivision approval helps clients lodge complete, accurate applications.

If you're searching for a town planner near me specialising in NSW DCP, we can provide planning advice that aligns with local controls and zoning regulations to get your DA across the line.