Local Town Planners Who Understand Your Council’s Planning Rules

If you’ve ever tried lodging a development application in NSW, you’ll know every council has its own interpretation of planning rules.

What gets approved in Blacktown may be rejected in Waverley.

That’s why working with local town planners who understand your specific council’s process can be the difference between a smooth DA approval and a long, expensive delay.

At Town Planning Sydney, we’ve helped hundreds of clients across NSW get council approval by tailoring every project to local controls.

Here’s how we do it, and why it matters for your build.

1. We Know What Your Council Wants

Each NSW council operates under state planning legislation but applies its own Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP).

That means what’s acceptable in one LGA might not be in another, even for something as common as a granny flat.

Our planning consultants stay up to date with each council’s planning rules so you don’t have to.

For example, a client in Inner West Council wanted to build a dual occupancy on a narrow site.

We identified early that the lot frontage didn’t meet the minimum requirement but proposed a compliant design and supported it with a clause 4.6 variation.

The development application was approved without delay.

2. We Speak the Same Language as Council Planners

Submitting a DA in NSW is not just about drawings, it’s about justification.

Our planning consultants prepare detailed Statements of Environmental Effects that reference the correct planning instruments and use language council planners expect.

For a childcare centre in Ryde, our justification focused on how the proposal aligned with state priorities under the Education SEPP while still meeting local parking and noise controls.

Because we understood what the council needed to assess the application, it progressed without requests for additional information.

3. We Design with Approval in Mind

Planning advice is only half the puzzle.

If your design doesn’t align with council’s expectations, no amount of reports will save your DA.

Our in-house drafting team works directly with our planners to create designs that are visually appealing, functional and strategically compliant.

When a homeowner in Penrith wanted a second-storey addition, we designed the extension to minimise overshadowing and maintain the existing streetscape.

This collaborative approach meant the DA was approved with no changes required.

4. We Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes

One of the biggest reasons DAs get refused is missing or incorrect documentation.

A planning consultant who knows your local council will ensure your application is complete from day one.

For instance, we recently worked with a small business owner in Campbelltown looking to convert a shopfront into a cafe.

We flagged that Council required a Waste Management Plan and an Acoustic Report upfront.

Because we knew what was needed, the application avoided delays and was approved in five weeks.

5. We Know When to Use a CDC Instead of a DA

Not all developments require a full development application.

In many cases, we can fast-track approvals through a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), but only if your site and plans meet very specific rules.

We helped a client in Parramatta build a detached studio under CDC rules, saving months of paperwork and council assessment.

Because we understand both the NSW planning system and local nuances, we can guide you to the fastest path to approval.

6. We Stay With You Until Approval Is Granted

Getting council approval can be a long road.We stay with you through every stage, including responding to council RFIs, attending site meetings and making minor amendments.

Our hands-on support gives clients the confidence to move forward — even when projects hit roadblocks.

If you’re asking, “How do I get my project approved in my LGA?” the answer is simple.

You need planning advice from a local expert who knows your council’s rules inside out.

That’s what we do best at Town Planning Sydney.