How much time does it take to get a developmental approval?

Please note that information in this article was based on trends from 2013, and may now be outdated. 

Almost all new homes and major renovations are required to get development approval, more commonly known as DA. It often takes more time to get your DA than permission to build, but just how long does it take?

Some factors you won’t be able to control, such as the particular council processes in your local area, but you can take certain steps to make the whole process smoother and faster.

Some states have introduced uniform Exempt and Complying Development Codes to help speed up the process, particularly for home extensions and family houses, but the complex rules and regulations remain. In New South Wales, DA approval in 2011-2012 averaged 71 days with wide variations between urban and regional areas, some taking over 100 days*.

Whether your local council is ahead of the game or not, you can move things faster by avoiding having your application returned for lack of information. In NSW, almost 38% of DAs for 2011-2012 were sent back for further information (‘stop-the-clock’) and averaged an extra 57 days. Close to 12% were referred to other government agencies, taking an extra 50 days*. It’s easy to see how this can delay your DA.

Anticipate and provide information

Professional advice on the type of information your local council needs to approve your application can speed up the whole process. Some examples of documentation you may need to submit to support your DA include reports from engineers, and experts on bushfire safety, soils, trees or sustainable development.

A simple design to be built on a flat block of land could mean you can just employ a professional local drafter to draw up your preliminary plans, who might also intercede for you with the council.

A complex design or one that is to be built on a sloping block may require specialist analyses and reports. Engage an architect to create your plans, assist with approvals and manage your project. If you have an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient home in mind, use a sustainable design professional who is aware of any particular information required for DA approval.

Some projects meet council regulations for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), which takes an average of only 18 days to process. An architect or draftsperson may be able to design a home that fits with this. Otherwise, using a qualified building designer and other professionals can help you anticipate and provide the information the council needs to approve your DA. That way, you aren’t totally relying on luck but giving yourself the best chance for a speedy DA approval.

* LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE MONITORING: 2011-12
ISBN 978-0-7313-3598-5
© State of New South Wales through the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure
March 2013
www.planning.nsw.gov.au