Development Assessment
Development Applications
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 are found in the Development Application Guide.
Detailed explanations in relation to the above are contained in the Development Application Guides including the requirements for the submission of a Development Application.
Pre-DA Lodgement Service
Council offers a formal pre-DA lodgement Service, which is aimed at identifying key issues at an early stage, prior to lodgement of your DA.
The service offers a meeting with relevant senior Council Planning & Assessment staff to provide applicants with early advice on their development proposal. Formal correspondence is then provided, outlining any issues that will need to be considered prior to the subsequent lodgement of the DA.
The service aims to provide a better understanding of the DA process and ensures there is consistency and continuity in advice provided by Council.
For large or complex proposals it is always advisable to have a formal pre-lodgement meeting. Please note that Council charges a fee for this service; however you are likely to save time and money if you heed the advice and resolve any problems before you submit your development application.
Please contact Council’s Customer Service on (02) 9366 3666 if you wish to make an appointment for a Pre-DA Lodgement Meeting.
Design Review Panel
The Design Review Panel is a pre-lodgement service which provides an opportunity to meet with a Panel of Independent Urban Design and Architectural Experts to provide early feedback on a development proposal. These meetings provide feedback and highlight issues which need to be addressed before the submission of a development application and which will allow for smoother processing of the development application.
All new commercial, industrial, multi-unit housing and residential flat buildings are required to be presented to the Design Review Panel.
The cost of the Panel meeting is at the applicant’s expense. The Panel cost varies between $2500.00 to $4000.00 depending on the size of the development. A deposit of $2500.00 is required to be lodged with the submission of a Form and plans. The remainder of the cost will be sent in an invoice to the Applicant after the meeting is held.
You can download the Design Review Panel Form here.
The date of the meeting will be organised by Council and the Applicant will be informed via email of the date and time.
Please contact Council’s Customer Service on (02) 9366 3666 if you wish to make an appointment for the Design Review Panel Service.
Resident Consultative Committees
Council will refer a contentious Development Application or one that involves an extension to the trading hours of a licensed premises to a Resident Consultative Committee or where there have been a significant number of objections received as a result of exhibition and/or notification of the Application.
Both the Applicant and the Objectors will be invited to attend. The purpose of the Committee is to address the issues raised by residents in an open forum.
Exempt & Complying Development
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.
The State Government also has an Exempt and Complying State Environmental Planning Policy, which applies to the entire State. A copy of the State Policy can be found at www.planning.nsw.gov.au.
If there is any doubt please contact Council's Customer Service on 9366-3666 during office hours.
Construction Certificates
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.