Your step-by-step guide to the DA Process

Planning to develop in the Clarence Valley? All Development Applications, Construction Certificates and other documents can be lodged online via the NSW Planning Portal.

Prior to submitting your application, ensure your application provides all information and documents required. Your application won't be formally lodged until it has been checked for accuracy and completeness and the full and correct fees have been paid.

Stage 1 - Before you plan and build

Need assistance with submitting your application through the planning portal or have an general planning/building question.

Stage 2 - Lodgement

Find out how to lodge your application

Stage 3 - What happens next?

Track your DA, book an inspection , need to submit a compliance certificate

Application processing times

If you have recently lodged, or are planning to lodge, a Development Application (DA), Construction Certificate (CC) or related application, Council is committed to processing applications as efficiently as possible and in accordance with legislative requirements.

Council aims to maintain open and transparent communication with applicants, developers and the community to provide greater certainty around assessment timeframes.

How can you assist?

Ensure all required documentation is submitted with your application. If you have questions prior to lodgement, please contact Council's Duty Planner service for assistance.
Consider using Council's accelerated assessment pathways where eligible. The Accelerated DA process (at no additional cost) is available for simple residential developments that comply with planning controls and are not affected by significant environmental constraints. Council also offers an Accelerated Construction Certificate (CC) pathway. Where a DA is approved through the Accelerated DA process, the subsequent CC application is automatically assessed as accelerated.
Be aware that applications seeking variations to development standards, or those that attract public submissions, generally require additional assessment time.
Monitor the progress of your application through Council's DA Track It page.
Assessment officers may not always be available to take calls. Council aims to return calls within 24 hours. To assist with service delivery, phone enquiries should be limited to between 8.30 am and 11.00 am.
Where there is more than one applicant, nominate a single representative to liaise with Council to reduce multiple enquiries.
Use the NSW Planning Portal as the primary source of information and correspondence relating to your application.
If you are lodging a Construction Certificate (CC) with Council, review the conditions of consent and ensure all required information is submitted with your application. Applicants may also be eligible for a 20% discount on Construction Certificate application fees where the CC application is lodged with the Development Application (DA), or prior to determination of the DA.
Respond promptly to any requests for additional information, as delays in providing information may extend assessment timeframes.