Seek some advice

Our Development Advisory Service provides general planning advice which includes:

• explaining the development approval process
• identifying the planning controls and policies that affect your property
• assessing whether your proposal is exempt development, complying development, local development requiring consent or prohibited development
• explaining the process for applying for approval

This service is available at our Customer Service Centres at Eastgardens and Rockdale:

• Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm

You do not need an appointment. This is a free service.

We recommend you meet with us for formal advice if you are planning a project that is large, complex or likely to be contentious in nature. This includes:

• dual occupancies, 
• multi-residential, 
• mixed use development
• major commercial or industrial development.

At a formal advice meeting we will:

• undertake a detailed review of your plans
• outline any concerns or issues that may impact on the outcome of your application
• suggest changes to the design that may improve the likelihood of your application getting approval
• provide this advice in writing.

If you are unsure whether you should seek formal advice, please seek general advice through our Development Advisory Service first.

To apply for formal pre-development advice:

• download and complete an application form
• take this form to a customer service centre.

There is a fee for this service. We calculate the fee based on the cost of the development. Contact us for more information and a quote.

A development professional can help you to prepare your plans. Development professionals include draftspeople, architects and town planners.

They are often experienced at dealing with Councils and have a good understanding of local controls and restrictions.

You can find a development professional from:

• the Planning Institute of Australia, or
• the Australian Institute of Architects.

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