Open for comment

Objections and comments

It is important to us that you have a say in the development of Woollahra. As a part of the Development Application (DA) process, proposed developments are advertised to the public for comment.

Methods of advertising include:

  • Posting notices at the site of the proposed development
  • Mailing nearby residents a summary of the proposed development
  • Advertising in the Wentworth Courier
  • Providing a list of current DAs open for comment on this website

For details and guidelines on how we advertise and notify of DA's, view the DCP for Advertising and Notification (PDF)

Applications are advertised for a limited time (typically 3 weeks). At any time, you can view current DAs open for comment.

Object or comment on a DA

  1. If you are concerned that the amenity of your property will be adversely affected by a development proposal, you may make a submission by way of objection.  That submission should clearly set the reasons why you are concerned with a development proposal.
  2. Our assessment officers and other relevant Council professionals will carefully examine your concerns against the applicant’s reasonable expectation to develop or use their land.  That assessment will be formally carried out according to Council’s controls and the relevant provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
  3. If the application is amended by the applicant through the process, and those amended plans are considered to have a greater impact than the original proposal, you will be advised by further notification.  If the amendments are considered the same or of a lesser impact, then your earlier submission will be included in the assessment but the amended plans will not be renotified.
  4. If the application has attracted three or less objections from different properties and they are not considered to justify the refusal or amendment of the application, it will be referred to our internal Application Review Panel. That Panel comprises senior planning staff of Council.
  5. If the Application Review Panel agrees with the recommendation and the assessment of your concerns, the application will be placed on a circular for Councillors’ information.  After five (5) working days the application will be returned to the relevant Team Leader, Development Control, for determination provided it has not been called to a higher level of determination by a Councillor.
  6. Applications which, according to our delegations, are of a locality wide public interest or have attracted four or more unresolved objections from different properties will be referred to the Application Assessment Panel.  This Panel comprises three (3) senior staff of Council, for determination.
  7. Applications, which according to our delegations, are significant and are of a general community wide public interest will be referred to the Development Control Committee for determination.  The Committee comprises of seven (7) elected Councillors plus the Mayor.
  8. If the application is to be determined by the Application Assessment Panel or the Development Control Committee, we will advise you in writing of the meeting date, time and location.  You are welcome to attend these meetings and you will be given the opportunity to verbally present a summary of your submission before a decision is made.
  9. If you believe that an application should be determined by the Application Assessment Panel or Development Control Committee, you may contact a Councillor who may, at their discretion and if good reason is given, call the application to the Application Assessment Panel or Development Control Committee.  Councillors must call items listed on the agenda of the Application Assessment Panel by 3.00pm on the day before the meeting.

More information about determination (approval or rejection).

Download our Commenting on Applications brochure (PDF) if you’d like a printed copy of this information.