Important development updates

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has updated the Environmental Planning Assessment (Statement of Expectations) Order, which aims to improve the timeliness of development application acceptance, assessment and determination.

From 1 July 2026, Council is expected to achieve an average development assessment timeframe of 90 calendar days or less, with this target reducing significantly over time as part of the NSW Government's housing and planning reforms. Council's development assessment performance can be viewed through the Council Development Assessment Performance Dashboard.

These timeframes are measured in calendar days, meaning the assessment clock continues while Council is awaiting payment of application fees, additional information or amended plans.

To help avoid delays and support timely assessment, applicants should ensure all required information and documentation is provided when lodging an application, as incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

As of 1 July 2026, the NSW Government's Development Coordination Authority (DCA) became the central point of contact for referrals to State agencies associated with development applications.

Where a referral is required, Council will refer the application to the DCA, which will coordinate advice from the relevant NSW Government agencies and provide a consolidated response to Council.

A referral fee of $1,100 per agency referral applies. This fee is set, invoiced and collected by the DCA, not Council. Any enquiries regarding referral fees, invoices, payments or refunds should be directed to the DCA.

Council is not responsible for the administration, collection or refund of DCA referral fees.

For more information, visit the NSW Government's Development Coordination Authority website Development Coordination Authority | Planning

Council is under no obligation to request additional information and may determine an application based on the material submitted.

Where additional information is required to complete an assessment, Council may issue a Request for Information (RFI).

Requests for additional information are intended to clarify matters arising during assessment and are not intended to remedy incomplete applications or replace Council’s lodgement requirements.

Response timeframes

Council will apply the following response timeframes:

Applicants should contact the assessing officer as soon as possible if clarification is required regarding a Request for Information.

If additional time is required to respond, a written request for an extension must be submitted before the response deadline.

Extension requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account:

• the information requested
• the reasons for the request
• the stage of the assessment
• Council’s obligation to meet the NSW Government’s development assessment performance targets.

Extensions will not be granted automatically.

If the requested information is not provided within the approved timeframe, Council will determine the application based on the information available, which may result in refusal.

Respond as early as possible. Time spent awaiting additional information forms part of Council’s overall development assessment performance. Applicants are encouraged to respond as early as possible and not rely on the full response period.

Significant additional information requests

Applicants should ensure all necessary technical investigations and supporting documentation are prepared prior to lodgement.

Council’s requests for additional information are intended to clarify assessment matters and are not intended to facilitate the preparation of specialist reports that should reasonably have accompanied the original application, such as:

• Traffic Impact Assessments
• Contamination Assessments
• Flood Studies
• Acoustic Reports
• Bush Fire Reports
• other specialist technical investigations.

Where an application requires significant additional information involving detailed investigation or technical assessment that cannot reasonably be provided within Council’s prescribed response timeframes, Council may recommend that the application be withdrawn and resubmitted once all required information has been prepared.