Development Application (DA) Project Management

What Is a Development Application?Do I NEED ONE

A Development Application (DA) is a formal request for consent from your local council to carry out building works or land changes that are not exempt or complying with development.
 You may need a DA for projects such as:

• Retaining walls that are being constructed as a non supporting structure of a fence within 1m of the boundary, If you are replacing a pre-existing prior approved retaining wall(“that old wall from decades ago”) within your property you may be exempt as long as the construction of the new wall is engineered if a height of over 600mm is achieved. If you are replacing a retaining wall that could be considered a supporting structure to the fence you may be exempt from a DA as your retaining wall may be considered a dividing fence under the Dividing Fences Act 1991 No 72 - Definitions

dividing fence means a fence separating the land of adjoining owners, whether on the common boundary of adjoining lands or on a line other than the common boundary.

fence means a structure, ditch or embankment, or a hedge or similar vegetative barrier, enclosing or bounding land, whether or not continuous or extending along the whole of the boundary separating the land of adjoining owners, and includes:

(a)  any gate, cattlegrid or apparatus necessary for the operation of the fence, and

(b)  any natural or artificial watercourse which separates the land of adjoining owners, and

(c)  any foundation or support necessary for the support and maintenance of the fence,

but does not include a retaining wall (except as provided by paragraph (c)) or a wall which is part of a house, garage or other building.

• Major earthworks or changes to land levels - If you are cutting or filling less than 600mm up to 1m from the boundary you may be exempt. If you are planning of cutting or filling within 1m of the boundary you may require a DA.

• Boundary adjustments

Generally a successful DA can include but is not limited to:

• A Surveyors Report, New Or Pre Existing From Dwelling Construction

• Landscape Architectural Drawings

• State Of Environmental Effects Report

• Engineers Site Plan/Crucial Inspections

• Form Submissions To Council

• Engaging And Arranging With Certifiers For Inspections

  We can handle it for you………

If your still not convinced feel free to have a read below of the : State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 relating to walls & earth works constructed under a CDC

• Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support

•   Specified development

Earthworks and the construction or installation of a retaining wall or other form of structural support is development specified for this code if it is not carried out, constructed or installed on or in a heritage item or a draft heritage item, on a flood control lot or in an environmentally sensitive area.

 Development standards

The standards specified for that development are that the development must—

(a)  not be a cut or fill of more than 600mm below or above ground level (existing), and

(b)  be located at least 1m from each lot boundary, and

(c)  if it is carried out, constructed or installed in a heritage conservation area or a draft heritage conservation area—be located in the rear yard, and

(d)  be located at least 40m from a waterbody (natural), and

(e)  not redirect the flow of any surface water or ground water or cause sediment to be transported onto an adjoining property, and

(f)  if it is a retaining wall or structural support for excavation or fill, or a combination of both—

(i)  be not be more than 600mm high, measured vertically from the base of the development to its uppermost portion, and

(ii)  be separated from any retaining wall or other structural support on the site by at least 2m, measured horizontally, and

(iii)  be located at least 1m from any registered easement, sewer main or water main, and

(iv)  have adequate drainage lines connected to the existing stormwater drainage system for the site, and

(g)  if the fill is more than 150mm deep—not occupy more than 25% of the area of the lot, and

(h)  if the fill is imported to the site—be free of building and other demolition waste, and only contain virgin excavated natural material (VENM) as defined in Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, and

(i)  if the land is in a rural or conservation zone—not be fill of more than 100 cubic metres on each lot.

Note.

It is an offence to transport waste to a place other than an appropriate and lawful waste facility (see section 143 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997).

Our DA Project Management Services

1. Pre-Lodgement Project Review & Advice

We assess your project to determine:

● Whether a DA, CDC (Complying Development Certificate), or Exempt Development applies

● Relevant zoning and planning controls

● Retaining-wall, drainage, and earthwork requirements

● Potential issues that could trigger delays

We ensure your project starts on the right pathway from day one.

2. Documentation, Plans & Reports Coordination

We prepare and coordinate all required documentation, including:

● Architectural plans & elevations

● Site plans & existing conditions plans

● Structural engineering reports (especially for retaining walls & earthworks)

● Drainage plans

● Shadow diagrams, landscape plans & visual impact documents

● Detailed cost estimates

● Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE)

We work with your engineers, designers, and surveyors — or we can organise them for you

3. DA Lodgement on the NSW Planning Portal

We prepare your submission and lodge it through the NSW Planning Portal, including:

● All required forms

● Required supporting documents

● Owner consents

● Maps, title documents, and environmental details

We ensure the lodgement is complete and compliant so it isn’t delayed or rejected due to missing information.

4. Council Liaison & Ongoing Communication

We manage communication with council throughout the entire process:

● Responding to council’s Requests for Information (RFI)

● Handling engineer or planner queries

● Negotiating conditions of consent

● Tracking assessment progress

● Keeping you updated every step of the way

This removes the stress, waiting, and guesswork for you.

5. Post-Approval Management & Compliance

Once approved, we continue managing what happens next:

● Interpreting conditions of consent

● Organising building certification

● Coordinating contractors, engineers & surveyors

● Ensuring retaining-wall, earthwork, and structural obligations are met

● Managing amendments, if required

● Providing ongoing compliance support

We make sure your project moves from approval to construction smoothly.

Specialty: Retaining Walls & Earthworks Compliance

Because many DA setbacks come from retaining wall and land-level issues, our service includes:

● Site assessment of slopes, gradients, and existing retaining walls

● Engineered documentation for retaining wall design

● Ensuring compliance with height, boundary, and structural rules

● Verifying whether a retaining wall impacts neighbouring property

● Working with councils on drainage, soil stability & structural safety

This is especially important in NSW, where retaining walls often trigger the need for a full DA.

Why Choose Us for DA Project Management?

✔ Full end-to-end project management

✔ Expertise in NSW planning legislation

✔ Experience with retaining walls & structural earthworks

✔ Clear communication with councils and certifiers

✔ Accurate, complete documentation to avoid delays

✔ Ideal for complex or sloping sites

✔ Saves you significant time, money, and stress

We make sure your application is right the first time, reducing council delays and approval risks.

Who Our Service Is For

Our DA project management is ideal for:

● Homeowners wanting renovations, extensions, garages, or upgrades

● Properties on sloping blocks requiring retaining walls or earthworks

● Developers needing small to medium DA approvals

● Investors who want a hands-off approval process

Anyone who wants fast, accurate, professional DA support

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