The Development Assessment Process
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Step 1: Pre-lodgement
Before you submit your Development Application (DA), take time to prepare. Getting things right at the start makes the process smoother and can help you avoid delays or extra costs.
Investigate what you need to be ‘assessment-ready’
Giving Central Coast Council an assessment-ready application, with all required information will not ‘guarantee’ approval, however, it will promote an efficient process, saving time and money, for both you and council.
Explore Planning NSW’s guidelines for Planning Controls, Site Analysis and more to help prepare for your application.
Pre Development Services
Chat with our experts including Town Planners and Building Surveyors to ask questions about development and zoning.
Visit our Pre and Post Development Services webpage to services are offered by Council to support you in your application.
View the forms, guides and polices available
We have a range of useful forms, guides and policies to help you find what you need to prepare your DA
We also have a checklist that can be used as an initial guide to understand what documents may be needed for your development.
Checklist Assessment Fact Sheets, Forms and Policies
Understanding your development constraints
You can also get a 10.7 Certificate which identifies the land constraints on your property. To order property certificates, you must first register an account and then you can ‘Apply for a Certificate’ using Councils Property and Payment Portal.
Step 2: Lodge your Development Application (DA)
Prepare your documentation
Make sure you have all the required documents ready. Proper preparation boosts your chances of a streamlined approval process.
Submit your DA online
Submit your DA, including any modifications or reviews, through the NSW Planning Portal. If you need assistance using the Online development application service, please view the quick reference guides or contact ServiceNSW on 1300 305 695 for additional support.
Council documentation check
Once submitted, Central Coast Council will review your application within 7-14 business days to ensure all required documents are included.
What if my application is missing minor information?
We will not request additional information on an application at the pre lodgement stage unless the information required is relatively straightforward and can be provided within a short timeframe (maximum 1 week). Council will contact you via the NSW Planning Portal should any request for additional information is made.
What if my application is incomplete?
We will not request additional information on an application at the pre lodgement stage unless the information required is relatively straightforward and can be provided within a short timeframe (maximum 1 week). Council will contact you via the NSW Planning Portal should any request for additional information is made.
Payment of lodgement fees
We will not request additional information on an application at the pre lodgement stage unless the information required is relatively straightforward and can be provided within a short timeframe (maximum 1 week). Council will contact you via the NSW Planning Portal should any request for additional information is made.
Your application will not be considered lodged until all fees are paid. Use the Council's Property and Payment Portal to make a payment.
Need more help using the NSW Planning Portal?
View the NSW Planning Portal - Help and Resources for more information.
Step 3: What happens after you lodge your Development Application (DA)
Assessment process
After lodging your DA through the NSW Planning Portal, Council will begin the assessment process.
Public notification
Your development may be notified to the public.
Chapter 1.2 Notification of Development Proposals of Central Coast Councils Development Control Plan 2022 requires different types of applications made available to view (exhibited) publicly.
Site inspections and information gathering
One of our Assessing Officer’s may conduct a site inspection and gather information from internal stakeholders and external authorities for expert advice on topics such as biodiversity, bushfire and traffic.
Request for additional information
Council may request additional information under Section 36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 if needed. This will only happen if the information is straightforward and can be provided within a short timeframe (maximum 4 weeks). Ensure your application is complete and ready for assessment to avoid delays.
Step 4: Determining the outcome of your Development Application (DA)
Once our Assessing Officer has all necessary information, they will determine the outcome of your Development Application (DA). There are three possible outcomes.
- Approved (with conditions): Your application is approved with conditions.
- Refused (with reasons): Your application is not approved, and the reasons why are provided
- Deferred commencement consent: Approval commences after certain matters are resolved.
You will receive a notice of determination (your outcome of the application) through the NSW Planning Portal This notice includes any conditions that must be adhered to and the approved plans for your development.
A consent lasts for five years unless otherwise specified by the Council or if physical commencement has occurred, in which case it does not lapse.
What do I do if I need to make changes post determination?
You can modify your application (a fee applies). If you wish to make changes to your approved plans or conditions, you can submit a Modification Application under section 4.55 of the EP&A Act (or section 4.56 for applications determined by the Land and Environment Court). You can submit your modification application through the Planning Portal.
The approved development must remain substantially the same as per the original consent. If the changes are considered too significant, a new DA must be lodged.
What do I do if I am unhappy with the outcome of a determination’
- Request a review of determination
You can request a review by Council, possibly with amended plans. A fee applies for this review process.
The request for a review of a determination must be made within 6 months after the date of the original determination, or within 28 days of the determination of a modification application.
After conducting its review of a determination, the consent authority may confirm or change the original determination. Any request for a review of a determination must be completed within 6 months after the date of the original determination. You will need to ensure you allow sufficient time for this process to occur. We recommend a review of a development application is submitted no later than 2 months from the date of the original determination.
If a review is not finalised within the legislated six month review period, the original determination remains.
- Commence an appeal
You can appeal to the Land and Environment Court within six months. The court will hear from you or your representative, Council, relevant experts and potentially the community to determine whether the DA should be approved and under what conditions.
View the Development appeals page to learn more about the appeal process.
Step 5: Post-lodgement approvals
Additional approvals
Once your development is approved, you may need additional post-lodgement approvals depending on the type of development.
Civil works
If your development involves civil works (e.g. roads, water supply, stormwater, pavements, vehicle access crossings), you must ensure compliance with Council's Civil Works Specification.
Construction Certificate (CC)
If construction is part of your development, you must apply for a Construction Certificate. This can be issued by either Council or a principal certifier and must be submitted via the NSW Planning Portal.
If civil construction works are proposed as part of the development, you will need to apply for one (or more) of the following applications based on the type of construction:
Visit our forms page to access any of these applications.
Each of these certifications will require either, council Principal Certifier or an independent Accredited Certifier to be issued.
Occupation Certificate (OC)
Once building work is complete, you will need an Occupation Certificate to authorise the occupation and use of the new building works.
For staged works, a partial Occupation Certificate may be issued for the completed part of the building. The Principal Certifier must ensure the development meets regulatory standards.
Learn more about inspections and certifications
Post-determination services
We offer post consent services and advice. These services are provided as per the adopted fee.
View our list of useful forms and policies related to post-determination.
More details on Post-Consent Certificates can be found on the Planning Portal.