What is the Best Order to Collect DA Documents?

Getting your development application ready for council approval in NSW can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a clear process in place.

As a leading town planning company in NSW, we often help clients organise their DA documentation to avoid unnecessary delays and requests for more information.

Here is the best order to collect your DA documents, based on real-world planning advice and industry experience.

1. Confirm zoning and planning controls

Before preparing any drawings or reports, check the zoning of your site under the relevant Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

Your planning consultant will also review applicable NSW planning policies such as SEPPs, development control plans (DCPs) and any overlays that may affect your proposal.

This step ensures your project meets fundamental planning rules before you invest in drafting or technical reports.

2. Engage a town planning consultant early

Getting expert planning advice upfront will save you time and cost in the long run.

A planning consultant can guide your development application from the outset, advise on site constraints, and confirm if your proposal needs a DA or if it can proceed under a CDC pathway.

We recently assisted a client in Western Sydney who originally intended to lodge a DA but was able to fast-track their project with a CDC after a planning review.

3. Commission architectural drawings

Once your planning pathway is confirmed, engage a drafting and design team to prepare your site plan, floor plans, elevations and shadow diagrams.

These documents must meet council’s DA submission standards and should reflect the planning consultant’s advice on setbacks, height limits and building envelopes.

Working with a firm that handles both town planning and architectural drafting can significantly streamline this stage.

4. Request essential technical reports

Depending on your project and site, you may need supporting documents such as a BASIX certificate, stormwater drainage plans, arborist report, traffic assessment or heritage impact statement.

For example, a recent DA in the Inner West required both a heritage report and acoustic assessment due to its location and design.

Gathering these early avoids last-minute surprises during council assessment.

5. Prepare the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE)

The SEE is a critical planning document that explains how your proposal complies with planning legislation and addresses environmental impacts.

This is usually prepared by your planning consultant, and it ties together all your other documents for a complete and coherent development application.

A well-prepared SEE is often the difference between a smooth DA approval and a request for further clarification.

6. Final review before submission

Before lodging your DA, it’s essential to review all documentation against council checklists.

Your planning consultant should ensure that nothing is missing and that all documents align, especially between the SEE and architectural plans.

Inconsistent or incomplete documentation is one of the most common causes of DA delays across NSW councils.

7. Lodge the development application

With all documents finalised, your development application can be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal.

From this point, council will review the proposal, notify neighbours if required and assess compliance.

Engaging a planning consultant to manage this phase can help respond to any council requests and reduce processing time.

When it comes to NSW planning, following the right document order is just as important as the documents themselves.

It ensures your application flows logically and reduces back-and-forth with council officers.

Town Planning Sydney has helped hundreds of clients navigate this process, from small residential builds to complex mixed-use developments.

With the right planning advice and document strategy, DA approval doesn’t have to be stressful.