We’ve Helped Over 200 NSW Projects Get the Green Light in 2025

If you're planning a development in NSW, you're probably wondering, “How do I actually get council approval?”

This is one of the most common questions our clients ask when starting the DA or CDC process.

Town Planning Sydney has helped over 200 residential and commercial projects across NSW get the green light in 2025.

From granny flats and dual occupancies to retail fit-outs and rural subdivisions, we’ve seen it all.

Here’s what we’ve learned, and how it can help you.

1. Every council has different expectations

What gets DA approval in one council area may be refused in another.

We’ve lodged development applications across dozens of local government areas in NSW, including Wollongong, Blacktown, Parramatta, and the Northern Beaches.

Each council interprets the NSW planning controls slightly differently.

Our planning consultants understand those local variations, which helps us shape your application to meet the exact requirements from the start.

2. Clear drawings make or break your application

One of the biggest reasons a DA stalls is unclear or incomplete documentation.

Our in-house drafting team works directly with our planning consultants to produce clear, accurate and compliant plans.

This saves time, avoids requests for more information, and builds confidence with the assessing officer.

3. Most people underestimate zoning issues

Just because your property is residential doesn’t mean all residential developments will be approved.

We’ve worked with clients who wanted to build a detached studio, only to discover their zoning didn’t allow it without a DA.

Others assumed they could skip council approval under CDC rules, but the site conditions made that impossible.

NSW planning rules are complex and change often, which is why getting planning advice early can prevent costly delays.

4. Pre-lodgement advice helps you plan with certainty

One couple we worked with in Penrith wanted to convert their garage into a home office.

We reviewed the controls, prepared a concept design and met with council for pre-lodgement feedback.

That single meeting helped us tweak the design and secure DA approval without any revisions.

Our experience shows that early engagement with council and the right planning consultant can fast-track the process.

5. Good communication leads to faster approvals

We’ve managed DAs where the council planner called us directly instead of issuing formal requests for information.

Why? Because our team had already established trust through professional, responsive communication.

Whether you're submitting a development application or seeking CDC, working with a team that knows how to navigate council processes is critical.

6. Not all DAs are straightforward, but most can be resolved

One client wanted to build a two-storey duplex in a flood-prone area of Newcastle.

It triggered multiple concerns including setbacks, drainage and visual impact.

We negotiated with council, revised the plans and included expert flood engineering input.

The DA was approved within three months.

Our job is not just about paperwork.It’s about solving planning problems in a way councils support.

7. It’s not just what you build, but how you justify it

Strong written justifications can be the difference between rejection and approval.

Our planning consultants carefully assess how your proposal aligns with both local and state NSW planning policies.

We write detailed statements that address potential concerns before they’re raised.

Helping over 200 projects in 2025 has given us deep, hands-on experience across the full range of residential and commercial approvals.

Whether you're planning a secondary dwelling, a major retail upgrade or anything in between, the key is getting expert planning advice early.

Town Planning Sydney offers the combined benefit of local knowledge, in-house design and end-to-end support, from first sketch to final council approval.