Development application checklist

This page provides a useful checklist to help you gather the information you'll need to lodge a development application.

Attaching all the relevant documentation you need at the point of lodgement will streamline the decision process.

Further information and guides to assist you in lodging your application are available in the support library.

What you will need to provide

Documentation you'll need to provide is set out by Schedule 8 of the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017.

The level of documentation you'll need depends on what you are proposing. Certain applications require baseline documentation to be submitted.

Checklist - planning (PDF, 284 KB)
Checklist - building (PDF, 232 KB)

For specific details view the topics below:

All applications require a signed development application form which outlines the proposed development at a high level.

The development application form includes:

  • site address of the development
  • applicants contact details, including the landowner, and the builder if applicable
  • current and proposed land use, including development cost
  • the name of any independent assessors you want to assess your approvals.

Most applications also require a signed:

  • Electricity Declaration to show the proposed development is located a safe distance from the power lines
  • Native Vegetation Declaration to show the proposed development is not clearing any native vegetation.

If you are lodging an application online, you no longer need to download and print paper forms as you can complete these digitally.

If you are lodging in hard copy, use these forms:

All applications require a site plan which shows the location of the proposed development and its surrounds.

A site plan may include:

  • dimensions and boundaries of the site
  • proposed boundary setbacks of the development
  • existing buildings, trees, retaining walls and other structures
  • on-site sewerage or waste disposal system
  • driveway levels and car parking spaces
  • existing and proposed ground/floor levels.

Floor plans are drawings to scale of either 1:100 or 1:200 as a view from above showing:

  • the position of doors or windows
  • relationship to an associated dwelling
  • location and purpose of rooms and areas.

Dimensions are usually drawn between the walls to specify room sizes and wall lengths.

Floor plans may also include details of fixtures like sinks and water heaters. They may also have notes for construction to specify finishes, construction methods, or symbols for electrical items.

Alterations to existing buildings should indicate proposed changes to the structure and what is being retained.

Elevation drawings are a view of the home drawn to show other details that give a building its architectural styling and show:

  • front, side and rear views of the structure
  • existing and proposed ground levels
  • proposed internal floor levels
  • heights including ceilings, eaves, ridge, pitch
  • description of all external materials and finishes, including roof, walls, doors and windows
  • the dimensions of eaves, external doors and windows
  • description of privacy treatments for upper-level windows or balconies
  • details of existing ground level, proposed floor level and roof height.

If your application involves building work, you may also need to provide:

  • roof, wall and floor layouts of any buildings, including dimensions and calculations
  • details of construction materials and design
  • engineering details, for example, significant excavations, service or infrastructure lines
  • schedule of colours showing the proposed materials, finishes and colours for the building.

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