We’ve all heard stories from friends and families that can’t get their building plans through the Local Council, or must make considerable compromises to their original plans because they haven’t anticipated one regulation or another.

In NSW, there is a way to avoid the Local Council’s Development Application (DA) process, called a Complying Development.

Complying Development is a combined planning and construction approval pathway, with development standards determined through an assessment by a council or an accredited certifier. The aim is to:

• Provide consistent development standard across NSW
• Speed up processing time
• Reduce cost for applicants
• Streamline approvals for straightforward or routine developments if they meet pre-set development standards

Many people choose the complying development pathway because it saves them time and money compared to the DA process. Landowners can save up to $15,000 for a single or dual occupancy dwelling using a complying development certificate rather than the DA pathway.

Information about some Codes available for residential projects is provided below:

The Housing Code

The Housing Code set out planning rules for compiling development including one and two storey homes, renovations, alterations, and extension. This code applies to General Residential, Low/Medium/High Density Residential plus villages. Under the code, development can be carried out as complying development where the relevant development standards are met. These include:

• Maximum building height
• Maximum gross floor area
• Minimum setback from roads and boundaries
• Minimum landscape area
• Privacy requirements

The Greenfield Housing Code

The Greenfield Housing Code will speed up the delivery of new homes in greenfield areas (new release areas) across NSW to meet the state’s growing population and improve housing affordability. The code aims to:

• Tailors’ development standards to suit market demand and housing type
• Simplify the standard in the State policy
• Help achieve faster housing approvals

Next Steps…

Lodging council paperwork can be a hassle and is often one of the most stressful experiences of the entire building process.

At Hudson Homes, our experienced administrative team looks after all the applicable documentation and paperwork for your new home, while keeping you informed every step of the way.

If you are planning to build a new property, or are interested in completing a knock-down, rebuild contact the team at Hudson Homes today for a FREE quote.

Sources Referenced: HIA Building Magazine Issue 4/21