How to Get a Statement of Environmental Effects Tailored to Your DA

A Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) is one of the most critical documents required for DA approval in NSW.

It explains the potential impacts of your development and how you plan to manage them.

Whether you're building a granny flat, extending a house or opening a commercial premises, an SEE is essential.

A well-prepared SEE improves your chances of gaining council approval and avoids unnecessary delays.

Here is how to ensure your SEE is tailored specifically to your development application.

Understand Why an SEE is Required

Every development application in NSW must demonstrate compliance with local planning controls and assess environmental impacts.

Council uses the SEE to evaluate whether your proposal aligns with zoning, environmental constraints and planning policies.

This makes the SEE essential in NSW planning and a vital part of your DA approval strategy.

For example, a new secondary dwelling must show how it fits with residential zoning and whether it affects stormwater flows or tree retention.

Identify the Key Environmental and Planning Issues

Your SEE should respond to the actual conditions of your site and development type.

For example, a dual occupancy in a bushfire-prone zone will need to address bushfire risk, setbacks and vegetation clearance.

A café fit-out in a heritage building must consider noise, traffic and heritage impacts.

A planning consultant can help identify what issues council will look for and ensure these are addressed clearly in your SEE.

Match the SEE to Your DA Scale and Complexity

Not all development applications are the same.

A small home extension will require a far simpler SEE than a mixed-use commercial building.

Town Planning Sydney works closely with clients to ensure each SEE matches the scale of their project without overcomplicating the process.

For instance, for a first floor addition in an R2 Low Density Residential Zone, we may prepare a brief SEE focusing on visual impact and overshadowing.

This avoids unnecessary time and cost while still meeting NSW planning requirements.

Refer to Relevant Planning Instruments and Policies

Your SEE must demonstrate how your proposal aligns with the relevant Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Development Control Plan (DCP) and other council policies.

A planning consultant will review the applicable planning instruments and link your proposal’s features to these controls.

For instance, if your design reduces overshadowing beyond DCP minimums, this should be highlighted.

By making your compliance clear, you reduce the risk of council requesting further information.

Include Detailed Justifications for Any Variations

If your development seeks a variation to a control, such as building height or floor space ratio, your SEE must include strong planning justification.

Town Planning Sydney often supports clients in preparing variation requests that are evidence-based and backed by sound planning advice.

This might include solar access diagrams to prove habitable rooms maintain 3 hours of sunlight, shadow modelling to show minimal impact on neighbours, or citing approved developments with similar variations.

Present the SEE in a Clear, Structured Format

Your SEE should be easy to read, logically ordered and professionally presented.

Most councils have a preferred template or format, but this is not always clear.

We recommend checking your council's online DA guide or speaking directly with their duty planner to confirm any updates.

A professional town planning firm will ensure your SEE meets the expectations of your specific local council.

This increases confidence in your development application and can shorten assessment timeframes.

Use a Planning Consultant with Local Experience

Councils assess DAs based on their local controls, recent decisions and community concerns.

Town Planning Sydney has experience across all NSW councils and understands how to frame your SEE in a way that aligns with local planning priorities.

Whether you're applying for a secondary dwelling in Blacktown or a childcare centre in Randwick, local knowledge makes a difference.

For instance, Blacktown Council may focus heavily on stormwater detention and landscaping, while Randwick Council will emphasise heritage conservation and traffic impacts.

By tailoring the SEE to your development and your council, we help streamline the DA approval process.

A strong Statement of Environmental Effects reflects not just the project, but also the planning context it sits in.

With expert planning advice, the right drafting support and a clear strategy, your SEE becomes a valuable tool in securing council approval.