Development Plan & Build

Building certification is the process of registered certifiers to check and approve building works to ensure they comply with the safety, health, amenity, and sustainability standards specified in legislation and building codes.

The main role of certifiers is to determine applications for Construction Certificates and Complying Development Certificates. Accredited certifiers may also be appointed as the Principal Certifier (PC) for the development.   

The Principal Certifier carries out critical stage inspections during construction to ensure the building work is in accordance with the development consent and legislative requirements.

At the completion of construction, the property owner must apply to the Principal Certifier for an Occupation Certificate. The Principal Certifier will conduct a final inspection and issue this certificate if they are satisfied that the building is suitable for occupation or use.

A Development Application (DA) is a formal application for development that requires assessment and development consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It is usually submitted to your local council and consists of standard application forms, supporting technical reports and plans.

Prior to lodging a development application (DA) with Council, you need to review planning policies that apply to your land, to prepare your plans and supporting documentation. To see what local environmental planning constraints, applicable planning policies and permissible uses apply to your land or property, you can use the New South Wales Government Planning Portal – All Build Phases.

If consent is granted for your development, a schedule of conditions will be issued with the notice of determination. The development consent is structured to assist in the project management of the development and these conditions must be complied with. The conditions should be read in conjunction with the stamped approved plans.

A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a fast-track approval process which combines both the Development Approval and Construction Certificate approval processes into one approval. As two approval processes are combined into one this can lead to significant time savings for straightforward residential, commercial, and industrial development. The CDC approvals this can be issued by a registered certifiers and Councils.
To be approved under a Complying Development Certificate your development must meet set criteria, called Development Standards, under NSW Government Policies.
Complying Development Certificate Guide
Applications for Complying Development Certificates must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal which can be accessed here: New South Wales Government Planning Portal

Once development consent is granted, a Construction Certificate is required to be obtained prior to the commencement of building works. At Council we can issue a Construction Certificate after plans and specifications of the proposed works have been assessed to comply with Building Code of Australia and conditions of the development consent have been satisfied.

Construction Certificate Guide

Applications for Constructions Certificates must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal which can be accessed here: New South Wales Government Planning Portal

An Occupation Certificate (OC) is the certificate issued upon completion of your development after the final inspection has been carried out by your Principal Certifier. The OC confirms that the development has been constructed in accordance with the relevant requirements of your approval, either DA & CC or CDC and that it is suitable for occupation and/or use in accordance with its building classification under the National Construction Code (NCC).

NOTE: A building must not be occupied or used without an Occupation Certificate.

Occupation Certificate Guide

Applications for Occupation Certificates must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal which can be accessed here: New South Wales Government Planning Portal

Local Councils or Registered Certifiers may be appointed as the Principal Certifier (PC) for your development. The appointed PC will work efficiently with the builder/developer and will undertake mandatory critical stage inspections at different stages during construction to ensure that the proposed building works comply with the building regulations and are generally consistent with the approved plans. At the completion of the project, the PC will confirm the building is fit to occupy and will be responsible to issue the Occupation Certificate.

Appoint Principal Certifier Guide

Appointments of Principal Certifiers must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal which can be accessed here: New South Wales Government Planning Portal

Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 is an approval that is crucial for ensuring community health, safety, and environmental stability. A Section 68 is particularly for activites like waste management, water/sewer work, stormwater management and certain structures and activities on public lands.

Examples of Activities requiring section 68 approval:

• Water Supply, Sewerage, and stormwater drainage work: this includes installing or altering on-site wastewater systems, septic tanks, etc.
• Management of waste: This covers activities related to the disposal, treatment, and storage.
• Structures or places of public entertainment: This includes amusement devices, caravan parks and other similar venues.
• Activities on community lands: This covers activities like operating a business or entertainment venue on community land.

Section 68 guide

Section 68 applications must be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal

which can be accessed here: New South Wales Government Planning Portal