Preparing your Development Application

  
 

Commencing 26th April 2023, the B1, B2, B3 and B4 (“B”) land use zones are being replaced with E1, E2 and MU1 zones in response to a NSW DPE-led reform known as the Employment Zones Reform. Development Applications for previously “B”-zoned properties will now be considered against the new E1, E2 and MU1 zones. Refer to the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 and associated mapping to understand what a property is now zoned.

  
 

The Waverley Development Control Plan 2022 was adopted by Council on 6 December 2022. The DCP 2022 now replaces the DCP 2012 and applies to all Development Applications lodged from 9 December 2022.

Before you can make changes to a building or occupy premises in the local area you may need to lodge a Development Application (DA). A DA can only be approved by Council (or, for very large, State-significant development proposals, the State Government), and it is assessed in accordance with the development standards established in the Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan.

It is recommended that you first follow the steps outlined on the Developing in Waverley page to establish what controls apply to your property, whether your proposal is permissible and whether the works can be undertaken as exempt of complying development under the  exempt or complying development rules.

If your proposal requires the submission of a Development Application, the DA Process page outlines the standard process of how to lodge your application and then the process of how it will be assessed.

Before you lodge your Development Application

Before lodging your Development Application you should first review the range of policies and legislation that apply to your proposal. Further information can be found on Council's Planning a Development page.

You may consider whether you need to engage the services of a planning consultant and architect to assist you with planning your development to comply with the relevant Council controls.  Council offers a Pre-DA service for where for a fee, you can lodge a preliminary application with Council to obtain an opinion on a proposal before you lodge a formal development application, however, this is not a prerequisite. Council’s Pre-DA service is reserved for generally large-scale development proposals and/or proposals that are unique and complex.

The Development Application Guide provides information regarding the Development Application process, including a detailed list of the documents you need to submit as part of your Development Application or Modification or Review Application to facilitate the assessment of the proposal.

The documentation requirements for Development Applications are detailed in the Development Application Checklist  which is attached to the DA form. Be sure to check you have completed all of the necessary forms, documentation and information, as our customer service staff cannot accept your application if information is missing. This includes an electronic copy of all your documentation.

Some useful links to documents that you will need to provide with your Development Application are below:

  • Development Application Form and Checklist
    This form and checklist are required to be completed and submitted for all applications.
  • Electronic Lodgement Requirements
    All applications must be submitted via the NSW Planning Portal with the correct labelling of documents.
  • Site Waste & Recycling Management Plan – Part 1 Design and Ongoing Management
    This plan must be submitted with your DA to demonstrate to Council that the requirements for waste and recycling storage and management have been adequately addressed. It will ensure that during future use of the property waste and recycling can be collected in an efficient and safe manner and occupants can recycle as much as possible. For large developments comprising more than 20 units or mixed use premises a comprehensive SWRMP prepared by a suitably qualified consultant may be submitted instead of the SWRMP forms.
  • Site Waste & Recycling Management Plan – Part 2  Construction and Demolition
    This plan must be submitted with your DA application to ensure that you are meeting Council’s objectives for minimising the amount of construction waste that is sent to landfill, maximising reuse of materials and ensure the safe removal and disposal of hazardous building materials.
  • Waste Calculator
    If you require assistance calculating the number of bins and storage requirements for waste and recycling at your proposed residential development, you can click on this link to use council’s Waste Calculator that calculates the number of bins required in accordance with the Waverley Council Development Control Plan.
  • Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Statement
    This statement may be required when lodging a DA or making a submission on a DA.
  • Cost Summary Report
    This is required for development with an estimated cost of less than $500,000
  • Detailed Cost Report
    This is required for development with an estimated cost of more than $500,000 and is to be prepared by a Registered Quantity Surveyor

Other information that may assist you in preparing your application is:

  • Colour Code for Plans
    Provides the standard colours to be used on plans to identify materials used in the development.
  • 3D Digital Models
    This checklist will help you if you are required to submit a 3D digital model as part of your Development Application (DA). Visit our 3D Digital Modelling webpage for more information.
  • Inter-War Building Design Guidelines
    These Guidelines apply to Development Applications concerning Inter-War buildings and should be considered in conjunction with Part B16 of the WDCP 2022. Such buildings are typically built between 1914 and 1950 and have identifiable Inter-War characteristics.
  • Non-Residential Development
    Additional information for applicants of non-residential development (eg. commercial premises) including a change of use application are required to submit this form with additional details regarding the operation of the development.
  • State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021
    Additional information for applications where the provisions for Chapter 2 Affordable Housing of the Housing SEPP apply.
  • Soil And Water Management Plan- information sheet
  • Social Impact Assessment Guidelines 
    These Guidelines highlight the importance of and guide the assessment of social impacts of proposed development. They outline what social impacts are, whether a Social Impact Statement report is required for DA or Planning Proposal lodgement and what a Social Impact Statement report should contain.

For further details on how we assess your application, refer to How We Assess Your Development Application page.