How Our Drafting Team Helps You Get DA Approval the First Time

Getting DA approval in NSW is not always straightforward.

Even simple renovations can be delayed if your plans don't meet council expectations.

That's why our in-house drafting team works closely with planning consultants to give you the best shot at first-time approval.

Here’s how smart drafting, paired with expert town planning, makes the difference.

1. We Design with the LEP and DCP in Mind

Before we draw a single line, our drafting team reviews the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) for your site.

These documents shape what your council will and won’t approve.

By embedding NSW planning controls directly into our design process, we reduce back-and-forth and avoid common pitfalls.

For example, if you're adding a second storey to a home in Inner West Council, our team ensures setbacks, height limits and shadow impacts meet DCP guidelines from the start.

2. Real Collaboration with Planning Consultants

Our drafting and planning teams don’t work in silos.

Each design is reviewed by a planning consultant who checks compliance against key DA approval criteria.

This collaboration means we identify and fix issues early, rather than waiting for council feedback.

If you’re submitting a development application for a duplex, we’ll consider things like driveway widths, parking provisions and waste storage, details councils regularly flag.

3. Drafting That Matches Council Language

Many councils in NSW reject plans that lack clarity or detail.

We prepare drawings that speak the same language as the planners assessing your application.

This includes referencing relevant clauses, using consistent labelling and showing diagrams councils expect to see.

It’s not just about looking good, it’s about meeting council expectations with precision.

4. Accurate Shadow Diagrams, Elevations and Site Analysis

Your development application needs more than just floor plans.

Our drafting team includes all required documentation like shadow diagrams, site analysis plans, and elevations that clearly communicate your intent.

For a rear extension in a heritage conservation area, showing minimal impact on neighbours’ sunlight and privacy is critical.

By presenting this upfront, we help avoid RFI (Request for Information) delays.

5. Adaptability When Conditions Change

Sometimes planning advice changes midway through the DA process.

Maybe council flags flood risk, or a neighbour lodges an objection.

Because we keep all drafting in-house, we can quickly revise plans without lengthy delays or confusion.

In one recent case in , our team adjusted a roof pitch and landscaping strategy within 48 hours after a council planner raised concern about visual bulk.

That responsiveness kept the DA on track.

6. Drafting That Supports Your Justification Statement

DA approval isn't just about compliance, it’s about how well your application tells the story of your proposal.

Our plans are crafted to support written planning statements, including Clause 4.6 variations when needed.

If your design slightly exceeds height controls, our visuals help demonstrate that impacts are negligible and contextually appropriate.

This gives your planning consultant a stronger position when justifying the breach.

7. Consistency Across DA Submission Documents

Inconsistent documentation is a major reason for DA delays.We ensure that every drawing, report and form aligns perfectly.

If your site plan shows a garage, it should also appear in the floor plans, elevations and stormwater plan.

Simple mismatches can cost weeks.

We prevent that by managing all drafting and documentation in a centralised, quality-controlled process.

By combining practical drafting skills with deep NSW planning knowledge, we help homeowners, developers and businesses get council approval without unnecessary hold-ups.

Our drafting process is built for DA approval the first time, not the second or third.

If you're serious about getting your development application through smoothly, the right plans are where it starts.