Planning and Permits

Planning & Permits

Navigating Australia's Complex Planning Landscape with Expertise

Successfully transforming property potential into reality requires mastering one of Australia's most complex regulatory environments. At PropertyThrive, our planning and permits service combines deep expertise with established relationships to secure approvals efficiently, maximising development potential while minimising delays and complications.

Understanding Australian Planning Systems

Australia's planning framework operates across three governmental levels, each with specific requirements and processes that must be carefully navigated:

Federal Considerations

While planning is primarily a state responsibility, federal legislation impacts development through:

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act)
Building Code of Australia standards
Disability Discrimination Act accessibility requirements
Native Title considerations for certain sites

State Planning Frameworks

Each state maintains distinct planning legislation:

NSW: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
Victoria: Planning and Environment Act 1987
Queensland: Planning Act 2016
Western Australia: Planning and Development Act 2005
South Australia: Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016

Local Government Implementation

Councils implement state planning through:

Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) or Planning Schemes
Development Control Plans (DCPs) providing detailed guidelines
Local policies addressing specific community concerns
Contribution plans for infrastructure funding

Our Planning Services

Development Application (DA) Management

The DA process forms the cornerstone of most property developments. Our comprehensive service includes:

Pre-Application Strategy

Site analysis and constraint mapping
Highest and best use assessment
Pre-DA meetings with council planners
Neighbour consultation strategies

Application Preparation

Architectural plans and documentation
Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE)
Traffic and parking assessments
Stormwater management plans
Shadow diagrams and view analysis
Acoustic reports where required

Application Management

Lodgement and fee payment
Request for Information (RFI) responses
Council negotiation and advocacy
Community consultation coordination

Complying Development Certificates (CDC)

For qualifying developments, CDCs offer faster approvals:

Eligibility assessment
Documentation preparation
Private certifier coordination
Construction certificate integration

Planning Proposals and Rezonings

Unlocking additional value through planning changes:

Strategic merit assessment
Economic impact analysis
Community benefit documentation
Council and state agency liaison
Gateway determination applications
Public exhibition management

Modification Applications

Adapting approvals to changing circumstances:

Section 4.55 modifications (NSW)
Amendment applications (other states)
Condition variation requests
Approval extension applications

Specialised Planning Pathways

State Significant Development

Major projects requiring state-level assessment:

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
State agency consultation
Public exhibition requirements
Response to submissions
Conditions compliance

Integrated Development

Projects requiring multiple approvals:

Heritage Act approvals
Roads Act permissions
Water management licenses
Biodiversity permits
Aboriginal heritage clearances

Fast-Track Planning

Leveraging accelerated approval pathways:

Priority precinct provisions
Code-assessable development
Exempt development maximisation
Temporary use provisions

Recent Planning Reforms Impact

Low and Mid-Rise Housing Changes

The 2025 NSW reforms dramatically expand development opportunities:

Terraces and townhouses now permitted in R2 zones
Mid-rise apartments allowed in R3/R4 zones near transport
Reduced parking requirements in accessible locations
Streamlined approval processes for qualifying developments

Housing Diversity Codes

Expanding CDC eligibility for:

Dual occupancies
Manor houses
Terraces and townhouses
Low-rise apartments

Character and Heritage Considerations

Balancing development with preservation:

Heritage Impact Statements
Conservation Management Plans
Adaptive reuse strategies
Sympathetic infill design

Common Planning Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Neighbour Objections

Solution: Proactive consultation, design excellence, and clear communication of community benefits

Challenge: Council Resistance

Solution: Strong technical justification, precedent analysis, and strategic use of planning principles

Challenge: Infrastructure Constraints

Solution: Innovative engineering solutions and contribution negotiations

Challenge: Environmental Issues

Solution: Comprehensive assessment and mitigation strategies

Challenge: Heritage Restrictions

Solution: Creative design responses celebrating heritage while enabling development

Our Planning Process

1. Feasibility Assessment

Before committing resources:

Zoning and controls analysis
Development potential evaluation
Constraint identification
Approval pathway determination
Timeline and cost estimation

2. Design Development

Creating approvable solutions:

Brief development with clients
Architect and consultant coordination
Iterative design refinement
Compliance checking
Pre-lodgement refinement

3. Application Preparation

Comprehensive documentation:

All required plans and reports
Strategic justification
Environmental assessment
Community impact analysis
Quality assurance review

4. Lodgement and Management

Active application progression:

Electronic lodgement
Fee payment coordination
Progress monitoring
Issue resolution
Timeline management

5. Post-Approval

Ensuring smooth implementation:

Condition interpretation
Construction certificate coordination
Compliance reporting
Modification management
Occupation certificate facilitation

Success Factors in Planning Approvals

Local Knowledge

Understanding council-specific requirements:

Planner preferences and hot buttons
Local political considerations
Community sensitivities
Precedent developments
Informal policies and practices

Technical Excellence

Delivering quality submissions:

Accurate and detailed documentation
Clear compliance demonstration
Robust impact assessment
Professional presentation
Comprehensive justification

Strategic Approach

Maximising approval chances:

Right application type selection
Optimal timing
Risk identification and mitigation
Alternative strategy preparation
Appeal readiness if needed

Relationship Management

Building productive interactions:

Council planner engagement
Referral authority liaison
Political stakeholder briefing
Community relationship building
Consultant team coordination

Timeframes and Costs

Typical Approval Timeframes

Complying Development: 10-20 business days Standard DA: 40-80 business days Complex DA: 3-6 months Planning Proposal: 12-24 months State Significant: 6-12 months

Cost Considerations

Planning costs vary significantly:

Council fees: $1,000-$50,000+
Consultant fees: $10,000-$100,000+
Legal advice: $5,000-$30,000
Appeal costs: $50,000-$200,000

Why PropertyThrive for Planning?

Proven Track Record

Our planning team has secured approvals for:

Hundreds of residential developments
Complex mixed-use projects
Challenging site transformations
Innovative housing solutions

End-to-End Capability

Unlike standalone planners, we understand:

Development feasibility
Construction realities
Market demands
Investment returns

Risk Management

We minimise approval risks through:

Thorough due diligence
Conservative initial assessment
Multiple strategy options
Contingency planning

Value Focus

Every planning decision considers:

Development yield optimisation
Cost-effective solutions
Timeline efficiency
Market acceptance

The Planning Advantage

In Australia's competitive property market, planning expertise separates successful developments from missed opportunities. The difference between a basic approval and an optimised outcome can be millions in development value.

Whether you're a property owner exploring development potential or an investor seeking planning certainty, PropertyThrive's planning and permits service delivers the expertise needed to navigate Australia's complex approval landscape successfully.