Application Assessment
Find out what happens after you lodge a development application, including how it is assessed, requests for further information and how you will receive the decision.
What happens after you lodge
- 1
Confirm receipt
- 2
Application assessment
- 3
Further information
- 4
Decision
- We confirm your application has been received
You will receive an acknowledgement containing your application number. - Your application is assessed
We review the proposal against relevant planning controls and may seek advice from internal specialists or government agencies. - We may request further information
If information is missing or needs clarification, we will contact you through the NSW Planning Portal. - A decision is made
You will receive a formal Notice of Determination explaining whether the application has been approved and any conditions that apply.
Application assessment
We assess your development application against the matters set out in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This includes:
- relevant planning instruments, policies and guidelines, including:
- the likely environmental, social and economic impacts
- whether the site is suitable for the proposed development
- submissions received during public notification, where applicable
- the public interest.
We may also seek advice from internal specialists or government agencies.
Most development applications are determined by our Building and Planning team under delegated authority and do not need to be reported to a Council meeting.
An application may be referred to Council for determination when:
- the proposal involves a significant departure from an adopted policy or planning control
- an elected councillor requests that Council determine the application
- the application generates significant public interest.
Some applications may be determined by a regional planning panel or another consent authority where required by legislation.
Some applications must be referred to a government agency or another authority for approval, agreement or specialist advice before a decision can be made. Depending on the proposal, this may include the NSW Rural Fire Service, Transport for NSW, the NSW Environment Protection Authority or Airservices Australia.
Development requiring approval under both the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and another NSW Act is known as integrated development. We will refer an integrated development application to the relevant approval body and obtain its general terms of approval before determining the application.
Additional documents and fees may be required. We will let you know if this applies to your application.
We may request additional or amended information while assessing your application. You will receive the request through the NSW Planning Portal.
Upload the requested documents to the portal and select Respond in the Additional Information Summary tab. Uploading documents alone does not notify us that your response is complete.
We will continue assessing your application once all requested information has been received. Respond by the due date or contact the assessing officer if you need more time.
Your application decision
Once your application has been assessed, we will issue a formal Notice of Determination confirming whether it has been approved or refused.
Determined applications are published in the Border Mail each Wednesday and can also be viewed through our Application Tracker.
Conditions of consent
If your application is approved, the development consent will include conditions designed to protect the environment, community and neighbouring properties. You may need to obtain additional approvals or certificates before occupying the development or beginning construction.
Your consent may also include conditions (Conditions of consent: advisory notes [199.58 KB | PDF]) required by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment or other agencies. Read these alongside the Notice of Determination.
A Construction Certificate may be required before building work or other approved development begins.
You are responsible for reading, understanding and complying with all conditions of consent.
Check the progress of an application or view its determination.