Timeframes and fee arrangements for Development Coordination Authority (DCA) inputs vary depending on the type of proposal.
Timeframes
DCA and other organisations have 28 calendar days to respond to referrals for local development applications.
The 28-day period starts when the consent authority refers the application through the NSW Planning Portal and any required fees are paid. The clock pauses if additional information is requested and restarts once it has been provided.
If no response is received within 28 days, the consent authority may determine the development application.
Fees
For State significant projects and planning proposals, DCA provides advice as part of the existing assessment process by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. No separate DCA timeframes or fees apply for this advice.
A fee of $1,100 will be charged for each local development referral to DCA. Fees will continue to be based on the number of matters requiring referral. For example, the fee for an application requiring 2 concurrences would be twice the fee of an application that only needs one.
A fee of $550 will be charged for each referral to DCA for complex modification applications made under section 4.55(2) of the EP&A Act.
No fees will be charged for:
- modification applications requiring no or minimal environmental impact
- referrals required under the Sydney Water Act 1994 or Hunter Water Act 1991
- referrals to organisations other than DCA (except where the organisation is responding on behalf of DCA), including interstate and Commonwealth agencies and private companies like gas and electricity suppliers.
All DCA fees are payable through the NSW Planning Portal.
DCA fees and timelines
| Proposal type | Type of DCA involvement | DCA fee | DCA input timeframe | Further information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local development applications (DAs) | Consultation, concurrence and integrated development | $1,100 per referral | 28 calendar days from formal referral and payment of fees | Clock will pause during requests for information (RFI) and restart when information is provided |
| Modification applications involving minimal environmental impact (section 4.45(1A)) | Consultation | No fee | 28 calendar days clock will pause and restart for requests for more information | Applies where consultation is required under Part 4.3 of SEPP (Planning Systems) 2021 |
| Complex modification applications (section 4.55(2)) | Consultation | $550 per referral | 28 calendar days clock will pause and restart for requests for more information | Applies where consultation is required under Part 4.3 of SEPP (Planning Systems) 2021 |
| Review of a DCA decision or determination | Review process | TBC | Set under review provisions | New review process introduced by Environmental Planning and Assessment (Planning System Reforms) Act 2025 |