What’s the Cost of Lodging a DA with Council?

The cost of lodging a development application (DA) in NSW varies depending on the type of development, the estimated cost of construction, and the local council’s fee structure.

While there’s no single flat rate across all councils, most DA fees range from $400 to over $3,000 for residential projects.

Commercial and mixed-use proposals typically cost more.

Councils calculate DA fees based on the estimated cost of development, which includes materials, labour and associated works.

For example, if you’re building a secondary dwelling valued at $150,000, your base lodgement fee may fall between $1,000 and $1,500.

Additional charges apply for things like advertising, notification to neighbours, long service levy, and referral fees to internal council departments or external authorities.

We recently assisted a client with a council submission for secondary dwelling NSW in Penrith. The DA fee itself was $1,280.

On top of that, the client paid $455 for neighbour notification and $320 for stormwater review.

A town planner NSW based can give you a clear breakdown early on and help prepare a complete, compliant application to avoid extra costs from re-lodgement or RFIs.

In addition to council charges, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of supporting reports. These may include a statement of environmental effects for NSW DA, a BASIX certificate, site plans, shadow diagrams, and specialist assessments like acoustic reports or stormwater plans.

If your site is in a conservation area, a heritage impact statement NSW town planning may also be required. For larger or non-compliant proposals, a Clause 4.6 variation request NSW might also be needed.

Our town planning services for residential development NSW include preparing or coordinating these reports and giving you a full picture of what your application will cost.

Clients applying for a planning permit NSW or commercial change of use also receive a fee summary before we proceed to submission.

While it’s tempting to focus only on the council’s lodgement fee, the true cost of a DA includes both the official charges and the preparation work behind it.

That’s why early planning advice from a planning consultant is essential. We assess your site, guide your team, and help you avoid redesigns, deferrals and double-handling, all of which cost time and money.

Whether you're budgeting for a new build, a subdivision or a dual occupancy, a town planner near me specialising in NSW DCP will help you plan accurately.

If you’re unsure how to get a DA approved in NSW without blowing your budget, the key is clear documentation and the right team behind you.