Before you get started on your application, there’s a few things to first consider. Find out if you need development consent from your council, understand why a Development Application (DA) is required and learn more about the planning system.
The process and participants’ roles
The DA and construction approval process has six stages and there are a number of participants who have involvement across those stages. The stages, participants, roles and responsibilities are summarised in Figure 1 below:
DA Process
Stage 1 – Pre-lodgement (Getting it right at the start)
Participants | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
You | Get dreaming |
Get informed | |
Get online | |
Get team together | |
Chat to neighbours in advance | |
Your Team | Prepare reports/plans |
Compile application | |
Neighbours | Raise issues, concerns and support |
Council officers | Provide accurate advice and identify reports required |
Stage 2 – Lodgement and initial administration by council of your application
Participants | Responsibilities |
You | All information/fees provided |
Your Team | Lodge ‘assessment-ready’ DA |
Council administration staff | Completeness check |
Register | |
Referrals – to internal experts and State agencies | |
Formal notification to neighbours and community |
Stage 3 – Assessment (What happens to my DA now?)
Participants | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
Council Assessment Officer | Set call-back date |
Assess | |
Review submissions/referrals | |
Request additional information | |
Council specialist officers | Timely advice, consistent with pre-lodgement advice |
Your Team | Let council assess |
Provide additional information | |
You | Remain patient |
Neighbours | Make informed comments |
Community | Make informed comments |
Other agencies | Timely comment/agreement |
Stage 4 – The Determination (the Decision)
Participants | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
Council delegate, Councillors or Local Planning Panel | Timely decision |
Achievable conditions | |
Council Assessment Officer | Advise you of decision |
You | Read conditions |
Seek Construction Certificate (CC) |
Stage 5 – Get your Construction Certificate and organise construction
Participants | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
You | Get CC |
Get Owner/Builder Permit if required | |
Get Home Owners Warranty | |
Appoint Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) | |
Remain informed | |
Certifiers (council or private) | Issue CC |
Make inspections | |
Builder and sub-contractors | Build as per plans |
Arrange inspections |
Stage 6 – Get your Occupation Certificate and celebrate
Participants | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
PCA | Issue Occupation Certificate (OC) |
Council | Take action if problems arise |
You | Celebrate |