Building and Construction Process

1. Pre-lodgement enquiries with Council. 
2. Development Application is lodged via the NSW Planning portal
3. Fees paid to Council.
4. Acknowledgment of application lodgement
5. The application is assigned an assessing officer. 
6. Internal and external referrals. 
7. Adjoining property owners are notified of the proposed application and it is advertised if necessary. 
8. Council conducts site inspection(s) as part of the assessment of the impact of the proposed development. 
9. Application is assessed according to Council’s planning instruments (LEP), DCP & SEPPs and other relevant acts and regulations. Any submissions received are also taken into consideration. 
10. If the application is not satisfactory, the assessing officer may report to a meeting of Council, recommending refusal. Council will make a determination and if the recommendation is adopted, Council will issue a refusal (Council staff may issue a refusal under delegation). 
11. If the application is satisfactory, Council will issue development consent subject to conditions. 

1. A construction certificate application is made to the certifying authority (either Council or an accredited private certifier) and fees paid. 
2. The certifying authority checks that the plans and specifications for the development proposal comply with the development consent conditions and applicable standards including the Building Code of Australia. 
3. If satisfactory, the certifying authority will issue a construction certificate. 
4. The applicant must obtain an approved construction certificate issued by a certifying authority. The certifying authority can be either Council or an accredited certifier. 
5. The applicant must then appoint a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA). The PCA can be either Council or an accredited certifier.
   
   If appointing Council as the PCA, the Appointment of PCA form must be submitted. The application may be made during the construction certificate phase if the certifying authority is also the PCA. Inspection fees may be paid in advance, or as inspections are carried out.
   
   If appointing an accredited certifier, please contact them to identify their requirements.
   
   
6. Council must be notified two (2) days before work begins, by submitting the Notice of Commencement form.

1. Work begins in accordance with the development consent and construction certificate, including conditions. 
2. The PCA determines inspection stages (certain mandatory inspections are specified by the relevant acts and regulations).
3. The builder advises the PCA during stages of work to allow the required inspections. 

• An occupation certificate authorises the occupation of new building, or a change of use for an existing building.
• After works are concluded, an inspection is conducted by the PCA to determine if works have been completed satisfactorily. 
• If works have not been completed satisfactorily, the PCA may issue an interim occupancy certificate. An interim occupancy certificate allows the occupation or use of the building, but will list items to that are yet to be completed. 
• Once all works have been completed satisfactorily, the PCA will issue a final occupancy certificate. 

1. Pre-lodgement enquiries with Council. 
2. Development application is lodged via the NSW Planning Portal.
3. Fees paid to Council. 
4. An acknowledgement letter, confirming lodgement, is issued to the applicant. 
5. The application is registered and an assessing officer assigned. 
6. Internal and external referrals.
7. Adjoining property owners are notified of the proposed application and it is advertised, if necessary. 
8. Council conducts site inspections as part of the assessment of the impact of the proposed development. 
9. Application is assessed according to Council’s planning instruments (LEP), DCP & SEPPs and other relevant acts and regulations. Any submissions received are also taken into consideration. 
10. If the application is not satisfactory, the assessing officer may report to a meeting of Council, recommending refusal. Council will make a determination and if the recommendation is adopted, Council will issue a refusal (Council staff may issue a refusal under delegation). 
11. If the application is satisfactory, Council will issue development consent subject to conditions. 

The notice of determination may include conditions relating to works that must be carried out. 

Construction Certificate 

For works such as road works, a construction certificate is required.

The process for obtaining a construction certificate is straightforward:

1. A construction certificate application is made to the certifying authority (either Council or an accredited private certifier) and fees are paid. 
2. The certifying authority checks that the plans and specifications for the development proposal comply with the development consent conditions and applicable standards, including the Building Code of Australia. 
3. If satisfactory, the certifying authority will issue a construction certificate. 
4. Applicant must obtain an approved construction certificate issued by a certifying authority. The certifying authority can be either Council or an accredited certifier. 
5. The applicant must then appoint a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA). The PCA can be either Council or an accredited certifier.
   
   If using Council as the PCA, an appointment of PCA form must be submitted. Note that the application may be made during the construction certificate phase if the certifying authority is also the PCA. Inspection fees may be paid in advance, or as inspections are carried out.
   
   If using an accredited certifier, please contact them to identify their requirements. 
   
   
6. Council must be notified two (2) days before work begins, by submitting a notice of commencement form. 

Section 68 Approval

For works such as connection to Council water, wastewater or stormwater, a Section 68 approval is required. 

1. The applicant lodges a Section 68 approval application with Council, or the consent authority, and fees are paid. 
2. The authority checks that the plans and specifications for the development proposal comply with the development consent conditions and applicable standards. 
3. If satisfactory, the certifying authority will issue a Section 68 approval. 
4. Council must be notified two (2) days before work begins, by submitting a Notice of Commencement form. 

Section 138 Approvals

For works within the road reserve, such as driveway crossovers, a Section 138 approval is required, click here for more information.