What is a Development Application?

A Development Application (DA) is a formal request for approval to carry out development under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the Act). This includes most changes to land or building unless they are specifically exempt or complying development.

What counts as development?

Under section 1.5 of the Act, development means:

  • Using land for a different purpose
  • Subdividing land
  • Building or demolishing a structure
  • Doing construction or landscaping work
  • Any other activity controlled by planning rules

If your project is not exempt or complying development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 or your Council’s Woollahra Local Environmental Plan, you will need a DA.

Who can apply for a DA?

Clause 23 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 says:

  • The landowner can apply.
  • Someone else can apply if they have written consent from the landowner.

Under the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015, the owners’ corporation must give consent for work to strata properties.

Do I need a DA?

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