• DA application form (PDF)

• There are five steps to preparing your application. Our Development Application (DA) Guide can help you through these steps.

• A disclosure statement may be required if you make a political donation or gift to any Councillor or Council employee.

• Lodge your application in person at our Customer Service Centre: 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay
  
  Getting to Council Chambers

Where should I start?

1. Make sure you need to submit a DA! If your development is exempt or complying you do not need to submit a DA.
2. Be sure to understand what development rules apply
3. Understand what you are required to submit with your DA, and prepare your application and supporting documents. Try to avoid assessment delays!
4. Download the DA application form (PDF), lodge your application and pay the fees.

If your development is over $750,000, there are special submission requirements.

If your development is complex or potentially controversial, you might consider using our Pre-DA consultation service.

How long will it take?

This varies according to the complexity of the proposed development, whether or not it needs to be publicly advertised/notified, whether or not it complies with the rules, whether or not objections are received and the range and complexity of issues that may need to be considered.

In 2008/2009 Development Applications determined under delegated authority took an average of 44 days to determine. Development Applications that proceeded to AAP took an average of 105 days to determine. Those that proceeded to DCC took an average of 154 days to process.

Can I do it myself?

Whilst we are doing every thing we can to assist you through the process, preparing a development application can be a complex process which you should not attempt to tackle yourself unless you have a good knowledge of the legal requirements and of our local planning controls. Incomplete or misleading applications can be costly.

Do I need to make a disclosure statement of a political donation or gift?

If you are submitting a development application and you or any person with a financial interest in the development made a donation or gift to any Councillor or you made a gift to any Council employee you may need to make a disclosure statement. You can download a Political donations and gifts disclosure statement form (PDF File, 46.8kb) which includes explanatory information.

Some DA statistics

• About 65% of Development Applications (DAs) are determined in a median turnaround time of around 45 days.
• About 30% of all DAs, due to objections or complexity, are reported to Council's Application Assessment Panel (AAP) or Development Control Committee (DCC).  
• About 30% of DAs are incomplete when lodged.
• About 40% of all DAs attract objections.
• About 25% of all objections are resolved by design changes by applicants or by conditional approvals.
• A small percentage of all applications are reported to full Council for determination.
• In 2008/2009: 
  • 81% of all applications were approved
  • 14% were refused
  • 4% were withdrawn by the applicant
  • less then 1% were rejected at lodgement being incomplete