If you’re looking to get development application (DA) approval for a new build, a renovation or to get that pool you’ve have always dreamed about, there are a range of things that you need to do to get things sorted with the minimum amount of hassle.
First off, do you even need a DA?
Your development may not require a DA in some cases. To find out either way, the best port of call is your local council and their planning department. A quick Google should help you find the planning section of your regional council.
Council staff can provide basic preliminary development advice regarding:
– Exempt and complying development.
– Planning controls and the application/approval process for your property/proposal
– The information you will need to submit with your DA
Council departments are notoriously busy, so plan ahead and if you are visiting in person have a list of questions, plans and paperwork all printed and ready to go.
Getting the help you need for your DA application
Some councils have a free service that is aimed at smaller scale residential projects such as new dwellings, dual occupancies and small business applications. To know where you stand, schedule an appointment to discuss your plans with council staff to ensure that you know all the facts before you begin the process.
Going through the DA process can be a minefield and challenging if you don’t know what you are doing – not to mention expensive. You may wish to employ the services of a professional building planning consultant to ensure the process is a smooth one.
Professional planning companies know the local DA processes backwards, including council processes in your local area and often the people that need to be spoken to get things done. Their fees range based on if you are doing a new house build with all the trimmings or a small renovation.
The basic steps of a DA approval
Step 1. Find out if you need a DA or not for your development
Step 2. Download all the paperwork from your local council to apply for a DA
Step 3. Fill in all your forms
Step 4. Lodge your DA including your plans
Step 5. You will receive confirmation that the DA has been received
Step 6. Pay lodgement fees for DA
Step 7. Sit back and wait for your assigned council staff member to get in contact
Each region is unique for DA approval so the best place to start is searching your local council within the area you are building or renovating and step through the process to find out exactly what you need to do to make your building dreams a reality.
DAs are a necessary part of the building process, ensuring that the dwellings and properties in each council area comply with the local planning conditions as set out by the council.
If you’re about to embark on a new build or renovation, go into the DA process with the knowledge that it will take time, cost money, however, by asking for a little help from the professionals or council will make your life a lot easier!
The post What do you need to do for a DA approval appeared first on Habitat.
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