When Should I Request a Pre-Lodgement Meeting With Council?

Requesting a pre lodgement meeting at the right time can be the difference between fast DA approval and months of delays.

These meetings give you early planning advice from council staff before your development application is lodged.

If you're unsure when to book one, here’s a clear breakdown based on experience working across NSW planning systems.

Before Finalising Your DA Design and Documentation

A pre lodgement meeting is most useful before you lock in your design and commission reports.

This is especially true for sites with zoning restrictions, irregular shapes or complicated access.

Town Planning Sydney often meets with council at this stage to confirm whether a proposed development complies with key controls.

In one instance, a client in Hornsby was planning a secondary dwelling that slightly exceeded the lot coverage limit.

Council feedback during the pre lodgement meeting allowed us to adjust the design early and avoid a formal refusal.

Engaging a planning consultant at this point ensures your application is targeted and cost effective.

If Your Site Has Constraints Under Local or State Planning Rules

Any site affected by bushfire, flooding, biodiversity or heritage overlays should be flagged with council before lodgement.

Each LGA in NSW applies these overlays differently, so tailored planning advice is essential.

A homeowner in the Blue Mountains approached Town Planning Sydney for a new dwelling on bushfire prone land.

We requested a pre lodgement meeting to clarify council’s expectations under the LEP and Bushfire Protection Guidelines.

This step saved significant time by avoiding assumptions and confirming what documentation was required for council approval.

When You Need to Justify a Non-Compliant Design

Not every project fits neatly into the development standards set by the NSW planning system.

If your proposal exceeds height, setback or floor space limits, you may need to lodge a Clause 4.6 variation.

Councils are more likely to support these when they’ve been discussed early and supported by solid planning arguments.

Town Planning Sydney helped a client in the Inner West with a first floor addition that exceeded local height controls.

During the pre-lodgement meeting, council advised on the type of justification they would consider reasonable.

This gave us the clarity needed to revise the documentation and secure DA approval without delays.

When You’re Not Sure if a DA or CDC Is Required

NSW planning law allows some projects to be fast tracked under the Complying Development pathway.

However, many people discover too late that their site conditions make CDC ineligible.

A planning consultant can help you compare both options and identify the safest path forward.

For example, we recently advised a developer in Fairfield considering a CDC for a dual occupancy.

A pre lodgement meeting revealed a nearby watercourse trigger that ruled out CDC under the Housing Code.

Knowing this upfront meant we could prepare a proper development application instead of wasting time.

When You Want a Smoother DA Approval Process

Meeting with council before lodgement builds trust and reduces surprises.

It also shows that your project has been prepared with professional planning advice.

Council officers are more likely to support development applications that align with their feedback.

Town Planning Sydney prepares clients for these meetings by developing a clear agenda, drawings and site analysis.

We also provide detailed written planning advice to guide your design team post-meeting.

This proactive approach often leads to faster decisions and fewer requests for additional information.

For any homeowner, builder or developer preparing a development application, timing a pre lodgement meeting is critical.

Town Planning Sydney supports clients across all LGAs with expert town planning, in house drafting and architectural design tailored to NSW planning requirements.