Steps to prepare a DA

If your development proposal is not classified as exempt or complying development, you may need to lodge a development application (DA) to get development consent. All DAs are required to be submitted via the NSW Government's planning e-portal NSW Planning Portal. 

Below is our 5-step guide to preparing and lodging a DA. 

Step 1 - Does your development comply?

• Is your development permissible? Check the property's zoning.
• Design your development to comply with our planning controls (eg. LEP and DCP).
• Does your development comply with all relevant NSW Government SEPPs?

Step 2 - Prepare plans and documents

• Check which plans, supporting material and documents you need to submit with your DA.
• Prepare your plans and documents according to the NSW Government's planning e-portal NSW Planning Portal and Councils DA guide(PDF, 6MB) .
• Most DAs require a Waste Management Plan.
• You may need to prepare and submit a BASIX certificate. Your plans must show the commitments made in your BASIX certificate.
• If your property is bushfire prone land, submit a Bushfire Risk Assessment Certificate Bushfire Risk Assessment Certificate(PDF, 113KB) with your bush fire risk assessment report. The plans submitted with your DA must match the plans referenced in the Bushfire Risk Assessment Certificate.

Step 3 - Consult your neighbours

• Discuss your development proposal with your neighbours prior to lodging your DA. Early consultation can often alleviate any concerns about what you are proposing to do. Your neighbours may also identify issues with your development proposal that you may not be aware of (eg. privacy, overshadowing).
• If you are living in a strata building, check whether you need body corporate approval for your development before preparing a DA. Their consent is required per the requirements of the e-portal at the time of lodgement.  

Step 4 - Apply for a pre-DA consultation (optional) 

You may apply to receive advice from a Council planning officer for a Pre-DA consultation. The current processing time for a Pre-DA consultation is approximately 4-8 weeks due to the high level of demand. Please note that this is an optional service.

Learn More about applying for a Pre-DA consultation

Step 5 - Lodge your DA

• Contact our Customer Service staff on 9424 0000 to receive a fee quote for lodging your DA or check Councils Fees and Charges for application lodgement fees.
• Your DA application will need to be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal.
• Make your cheque payable to Ku-ring-gai Council, cross ‘Not Negotiable’ and mail to Locked Bag 1006, Gordon NSW 2072. You can also pay by credit card.

Credit Card Payment Form(PDF, 183KB)

Post DA consent

• When Council has made a decision on an application, a Notice of Determination is sent to the applicant. Where an application is approved, the Notice will include conditions of consent and the date of the consent. Where an application is refused, the Notice will include the reasons for refusal.

• Read the Guide to the Building Approvals Process to identify the next steps involved or if you require further approvals.

• You will need a Construction Certificate to be issued by Council or a private accredited certifier if your approved DA involves building works.

• Relevant council forms:

            Principal Certifying Authority Service Agreement form(PDF, 369KB)

            Notice of Commencement of Building, Subdivision or Demolition Work(PDF, 818KB)

Changes to DA consent - Sections 4.55 and 4.56 

If you need to change a DA after Council has given development consent there are several ways to do this. Each way depends on the changes you want to make and how they will affect the DA that was originally approved.

• To correct a minor error, an incorrect description or miscalculation, a section 4.55(1) application is required.
• For minimal environmental impact changes, a section 4.55(1A) application is required.
• To modify the consent in other ways, due to design changes for example, evidence needs to be provided that the development will be substantially the same. This requires a section 4.55(2) application.
• To modify a consent handed down by the Land and Environment Court, a section 4.56(1) application is required.

Sections 4.55 and 4.56 applications 

Modification of consent applications need to be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal  They also need consent from all the registered property owners for the changes to be considered. If a company owns the property, the company stamp or seal is required. If the building is subject to a strata scheme, the owners' corporation seal and authorised signatures are required.

A section 4.55 or 4.56 application needs to include:

• Fee payment.
• Supporting documentation.
• Modification of consent applications lodged via the NSW Planning Portal.

Plans must be in accordance with our DA Guide(PDF, 6MB). Some applications may require an updated BASIX certificate or bush fire assessment report/certification - check with your building designer.

Cost of works estimations

Cost of works estimations ensure fees are consistently applied to development applications.

• For development costs up to $100,000, the table previously included in the DA form must be used to estimate the cost of works - Development Application Valuation of Works Estimate Sheet(PDF, 220KB).
• For development costs between $100,000 and $1 million, two quotes from an independent qualified builder, architect, building designer or quantity surveyor are required to justify the estimated cost of works.
• For development costs exceeding $1 million, a quantity surveyor’s cost report is required and for large scale developments ($10 million and over), the estimated cost and the capital investment value will be required.