3 Critical Questions to Ask Before You Start Your Development Application

You're at the beginning of a development project. You've identified a site, maybe you've spoken to contractors, and now you're preparing to get approval from Council to develop your project.

At this stage, you're probably gathering information, comparing quotes from planning consultants, and trying to figure out how much time and money to budget for the DA.

It's tempting to focus on the obvious questions first:

• "How much will this cost?"

• "How long will it take?"

• "Which consultant has the best price?"

But before you commit to anyone, there are three foundational questions you need to answer. These aren't about the details of your application — they're about the approach you take to getting it approved.

Getting these right from the start will save you time, money and frustration later. Getting them wrong will mean you're starting with a flawed foundation.

Before you hire a consultant or spend a cent on reports, ask yourself these three questions:

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Question 1: Have We Confirmed the Approval Pathway?

Do you know exactly ‘which door you are knocking on’?

In NSW, there is no single "standard" DA. Your project might fall under:

• Standard Development: Requiring full Council assessment.

• Complying Development: A streamlined pathway for straightforward projects (often faster, but with strict standards).

• Integrated Development: A standard DA that also requires concurrence from another Authority.

• Exempt Development: No approval needed at all.

Why this matters: If you assume a streamlined pathway is available and later discover a DA is required, you lose valuable time, and you may be subject to fines. Conversely, if you prepare a full DA when a simpler path was available, you've incurred unnecessary cost.

For a deeper dive on how to package your DA once you've confirmed the pathway, check out our guide on How to Package Your Next Development Application.

Question 2: Do I Understand What a Complete DA Package Requires?

When you're comparing quotes from planning consultants, the price difference can sometimes be significant. But what you're paying for isn't just the documents — it's the coordination between them.

A complete DA package isn't just a disjointed collection of forms and drawings. It's a coordinated evidence base where:

• Traffic reports match site plans

• Bushfire assessments align with landscaping and biodiversity requirements

• Operational descriptions match acoustic assumptions

• The SEE ties everything together into a cohesive narrative

What to look for when engaging a planning consultant

Ask how they coordinate between specialists. Do they review all reports against the final plans before lodgement? Do they check that operational details in the SEE match what's in the acoustic or traffic reports? Or will each document be prepared in isolation and handed to you to assemble?

Why this matters: If your planning consultant is quoting a price that seems too good to be true, they may be planning to deliver a bare-minimum package. Unfortunately, you’ll likely end up paying for the same level of information in the end, with all of the requests-for-additional- information that come your way later in the process — and with the added cost of delay.

To understand the specific pitfalls of misaligned documents and how to avoid them, read our post on 5 Common Mistakes That Will Slow Down Your Development Application.

Question 3: Have I Clearly Identified the Site's Real Constraints?

Zoning is just the starting point. It tells you if you can build, but not how the site will behave. Have you looked beyond the zoning map to the real physical and regulatory constraints:

• Flood mapping: Does the site sit in a flood zone?

• Bushfire-prone land: What are the specific BAL ratings?

• Biodiversity values: Does the site contain threatened species habitat?

• Contamination: Are there historical uses that may mean the soil is contaminated?

• Servicing: Is there adequate water, sewer, and electricity capacity?

Why this matters: Ignoring these constraints until after you attempt to lodge the DA can force a complete redesign. Addressing them upfront ensures your proposal is viable from day one and helps you compare consultant quotes accurately.

Start With the Right Questions

These three questions aren't about adding bureaucracy. They're about setting yourself up for success from the beginning. When you confirm your pathway, understand what a complete package looks like, and identify your site's constraints early, you can:

• Compare consultant quotes more accurately;

• Budget for the right level of assessment;

• Avoid the back-and-forth that turns weeks into months; and

• Give your project the strongest possible foundation for approval.

How Blue Sky Planning & Environment can help:

If you're unsure about the answers to these questions, or if you need help navigating the approval process from the start, Blue Sky Planning & Environment is here to help. We specialise in identifying the right approval pathway, coordinating specialist inputs, and preparing clear, practical documentation that stands up to scrutiny.