Council's Development Assessment Unit is responsible for the assessment and regulatory control of all types of development carried out within the City of Botany Bay. The department ensures that development is undertaken in correct and orderly manner taking into account the potential impact of development on local residents and the environment.

The Development Assessment Unit is also responsible for ensuring compliance is met with Council issued approvals and policies and in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 including construction certificates. Professionals employed within the department include, Town Planners, Building Surveyors and Regulatory Compliance Officers.

The development assessment process involves the submission to Council of a Development Application that seeks the consent of Council for such works, but not limited to, building or construction work, landscaping, use of land or building, subdivision, strata, demolition and signage. Details on the requirements for development applications is divided into two categories:

  Residential Houses/alterations and ancillary structures eg pools, sheds
  Medium to Large projects for Residential, Commercial, Industrial

Detailed explanations in relation to the above are contained in the Development Application Guides including the requirements for the submission of a Development Application.

Other minor developments where the works or the use proposed meets the stringent requirements of Council's Exempt and Complying Development Control Plan does not require Council consent. These include works that are "exempt" or minor works that "comply" and may be approved following the submission to Council of a Complying Development Certificate.

Careful consideration is required of the Exempt and Complying Development Control Plan to ensure the works proposed comply. If there is any doubt please Council's Customer Service on ph 9366 3666 during office hours.

A Construction Certificate (CC) application is required for all building work that requires development consent, as well as for any subdivision construction work associated with a subdivision.

Essential services are safety installations in a building that assist in reducing risk to life and property in the event of an emergency for example a fire. They include, but not limited to equipment and protective devices such as fire hose reels, emergency lighting and fire doors. The Building Code of Australia, for new or alterations to existing developments, requires the installation of essential services and upon installation the owner or agent must issue an Installation Certificate stating that the services have been inspected by a competent person and installed to the relevant standards. Every twelve months after the Installation Certificate is issued a Maintenance Certificate indicating that the particular essential service is being maintained must be prepared and forwarded to Council.