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HOME >> PLANNING BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT >> DEVELOPMENT TYPES

Development Applications

• When is a DA Required
• About the DA Guide
• How to find out more
• General information on the DA Process
  • Lodging an application
  • The development approval process

When is a DA Required?

A development Application is required for all ‘development’ in the Lismore City Council Local Government Area.  Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, ‘development’ is defined as:

• The use of land;
• The subdivision of land;
• The erection of a building;
• The carrying out of work;
• The demolition; or
• Any other matter control by an environmental planning instrument.

To obtain development consent, you must lodge a DA with Lismore City Council. 

Some minor development, called Exempt Development, does not require consent.  Another type of development, called Complying Development, requires a Complying Development Certificate prior to commencing the use.

About the DA Guide

The DA Guide tells you in simple language how to prepare the plans and other supporting documents for your development application.

Use the DA Guide as a checklist. This will help you provide all the required information to support your application so we can deal with your application without delay. We cannot accept applications, which do not include all the required plans and supporting documents.

How to find out more

Most questions about making a development application can be answered simply by referring to the DA Guide. However, if you do have questions that are not answered by the DA Guide, don’t hesitate to contact Council’s Customer Contact Centre. You can phone us or call in personally and speak to our helpful staff.

We recommend that you discuss your development proposal with one of our development assessment officers before submitting a development application. We are always happy to arrange interviews, but please phone 1300 87 83 87 for an appointment.

Download - Development Application Guide

General information on the Development Application process.

Lodging an Application

1. Pre-lodgment enquiries
   Check with Council in the early stages before preparing detailed plans to find out about any development controls or policies relating to the land. Applications may also require approval from other government agencies depending on the type of development or location of the proposed development.

   Council's Development Application Guide will assist you in preparing an application by detailing what information is required for the type of application being prepared.

   Council's development controls plans (DCPs) and/or development policies may also be relevant to your application.

   Council has a pre lodgement meeting process to assist customers with advice regarding development proposals.  More information is available from the Pre-Lodgement Advice Application.

   Contact Customer Service Officers on Ph: 1300 87 83 87 to answer any further questions. 

2. Prepare the Plans/Drawings

   Several plans/drawings types are required depending on the type of development proposed. The following information is required to be included in plans/drawings:
   
   Title Information
   A plan/drawing number and date.
   Name of architect or draftsperson.
   Applicant name
   Property address
   
   Scale
   All plans/drawings are shown to scale.
   
   Relative Direction
   All plans/drawings should show the north bearing.
   
   Levels
   The proposed development needs to show elevation heights such as contours, ground, floor and roof levels.
    

   Plan/Drawing Types

   Site Plan - drawn to scale, indicating location of the proposed development on the site. (Required for all applications)

   Plan/Drawing - of proposed development indicating all elevation heights. (Required for all applications)

   Reduced Size - (A4) set of site plans for notification purposes (Required for all applications, excluding complying developments)

   Survey Plan - required for subdivisions, boundary adjustments.

   Landscape Plan - required for commercial and industrial developments, maybe required for other developments.

   Subdivision Plan - required for subdivisions, boundary adjustments.

   Shadow Diagram - required for new buildings or additions of more than 1 storey in height.

   Photo-montages and Building models - contact Council.

3. Prepare Other Supporting Documents
   

   Additional information may be required to support your application the Council Development Application Guide will assist you in preparing an application by detailing what information is required for the type of application being prepared.

   Contact the Customer Service Officers on telephone 1300 87 83 87 to answer any question not covered in Councils development controls, policies or guidelines.

4. Complete the Application Form
   The Development Application Form must describe exactly what you propose to do. Download the Development Application Form with the Statement of Environmental Effects for Minor Development, or a Development Application for Class 2-9 buildings. Please ensure all sections of the form are completed, as incomplete applications may be returned to the applicant for further work, or processing of the application delayed. The application must contain the owners' consent. If there is more than one owner, every owner must sign. The applicant must also sign the form. A seperate Owners Consent Form can be lodged with multiple types of applications.

5. Lodge the Development Application
   The application can be lodged in person, or sent via post. All applications must be completed and signed and include a set of plans/drawings, any relevant documents and development application fees.

The Development Approval Process

1. Development Application (Application assessed by Council)
   Pre lodgement enquiries with Council.
   Development application lodged and fees paid to Council.
   Proposed application is advertised and adjoining property owners notified.
   Council conducts a site inspection to assess the impact of the proposed development.
   Application is assessed taking any submissions received into consideration.
   If the application is satisfactory, Council will issue development consent subject to conditions. (it is important to read and follow the conditions in the consent, they are legal requirements)

2.  Construction Certificate (Issued by Council or an accredited certifier)
   An Application for Construction Certificate is made from either Council or an accredited certifier.
   Council or the accredited certifier checks that the plans and specifications for the development proposal will comply with the relevant conditions of the consent and applicable standards including the Building Code of Australia.
   If satisfactory, the certifier will issue a construction certificate and, where appropriate, a fire safety schedule.

3. Appoint Principal Certifying Authority (PCA)
   Before any work commences a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) must be appointed – this can be either Council or an accredited certifier.
   Confirm what work will be done, fees and any other requirements.
   Notify Council two (2) days before work begins.

4. Building Work Begins (Work begins in accordance with the development consent)
   Work begins in accordance with the development consent, including any conditions (eg sediment control), and the construction certificate.
   The PCA to determine inspection stages.
   The builder advises the PCA during stages of work to allow the required inspections.

5. Occupation Certificate (Completion of works)
   After the works are concluded satisfactorily and a fire safety certificate is provided (if required). The PCA will issue the occupation certificate.

 

Link to Lismore City Council's Application Forms page