10 fastest and slowest Sydney councils for DA approvals
A recent report has revealed the fastest and slowest Sydney councils for average Development Application (DA) approvals.
The findings, obtained from analysis of data from the NSW Planning Department, revealed that the Wollondilly and Blacktown councils have the shortest total processing times for building permit applications, with average turnaround times of 61 and 78 days for each council respectively.
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These councils were also found to manage a “massive” volume of applications, with Blacktown processing the highest number, inclusive of “888 lodged and 909 assessed applications”.
At the other end of the spectrum, the North Sydney and Georges River councils were recorded as having the longest average assessment periods, taking an average of 266 and 289 days respectively to process applications.
Nouvelle, the firm behind the report, said slow council approval times can have a “profound impact on home renovations”, highlighting that increased costs from longer turnaround periods can negatively affect the home owner experience.
The firm said the speed at which councils process building permit applications is affected by a number of factors, noting some councils can require more detailed documentation, exercise increased “regulatory stringency”, or have differing workflows and approval chains that can affect their application intake process.
For this reason, Nouvelle managing director Mike Turner emphasised that “home owners play an important role in keeping timelines on track” and therefore must understand and plan for the potential impacts of delayed permit approvals.
“Home owners planning a renovation, such as a kitchen or bathroom overhaul, should anticipate a timeline of three to five months from sketch to approval,” he said.
“If DA approval is required for a project that includes an addition, demolition, or a major change to the floor plan”, home owners must allow for a longer potential period, which he noted could be up to nine-and-a-half months “if they live in an area such as North Sydney or Georges River”, he said.
The managing director advised that “involving a renovation professional early in the process who is not only well-versed in spatial design and project management, but the intricacies of the council approvals process, is crucial”.
“Handling a major renovation yourself can seem like a smart way to save money, but if you don’t have the necessary experience, it can quickly result in project delays, budget blowouts, and time-consuming backwards and forwards with council,” Turner concluded.
The 10 fastest Greater Sydney councils for DA approvals (lodgement plus assessment times) in 2024 are:
- Wollondilly - averaging 61 days for approval.
- Blacktown - averaging 78 days for approval.
- Camden - averaging 81 days for approval.
- Lane Cove - averaging 88 days for approval.
- Hornsby - averaging 95 days for approval.
- Fairfield - averaging 98 days for approval.
- Penrith - averaging 98 days for approval.
- Northern Beaches - averaging 113 days for approval.
- The Hills - averaging 116 days for approval.
- Blue Mountains - averaging 117 days for approval.
The 10 slowest Greater Sydney councils for DA approvals (lodgement plus assessment times) in 2024 are: