Improvements underway

We understand that you need your development application processed as efficiently as possible, so as part of our commitment to improving customer service, we’re streamlining the ways DAs are processed.

This means, for example, we’re now:

  • asking for more information from you upfront
  • offering 14 days to get back to us with extra details or design changes
  • seeking to reduce the time between lodgement and determination.

Sutherland Shire Council follows NSW Department of Planning guidelines and is transitioning toward full implementation of its recommendations in mid-2023.

This will result in a more timely and transparent system that aims to give you greater certainty.

We apologise to any customer who experiences any delays while we transition to the new framework.

DA processing

Currently all DAs, regardless of when they are lodged, are subject to the same six steps, best practice approach: pre-lodgement, lodgement, assessment, determination, post-determination and occupation certificate.

The first two lodgement steps can include a completeness check of your submission, payment of fees to partner agencies, neighbourhood notification and a title search.

Your DA is then assigned to a specialist officer. A site visit, compliance checks and if needed, further clarification of your plans happens in this third step, assessment.

It is again reviewed for determination and the result communicated in the last two steps.

See Your guide to the development application process for more information.

Several factors can impact the processing a DA including the complexity, completeness and location of the application lodged, need to comply with different regulations, time taken by various referral agencies to process council requests, and the availability of specialist staff.

You can check the progress of your DA via the ePlanning portal and DA Tracker. Your assessment officer is also there to help.