Can I Lodge a DA by Myself in NSW?

If you’re planning to build, renovate or change the use of a property in New South Wales, you may be wondering: Can I lodge a Development Application (DA) myself? 

The short answer is yes, property owners are allowed to submit their own DAs via the NSW Planning Portal. But while the process is technically open to anyone, it’s rarely straightforward.

Lodging a DA in NSW involves more than just uploading a few plans. It requires a deep understanding of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, relevant Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Development Control Plans (DCPs), State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs), and often the coordination of multiple consultants. Without this experience, errors or omissions can lead to delays, requests for additional information, or even refusal.

Step-by-Step: How to Lodge a DA in NSW

1. Pre-Lodgement Consultation (Highly Recommended)

Most councils in NSW recommend a pre-lodgement meeting, especially for complex proposals or sites with constraints (such as flood-prone land, bushfire zones or heritage overlays).

In this meeting, you’ll present your concept and receive initial feedback from council officers on key issues, planning controls and documentation requirements.

While not always mandatory, it can save weeks or even months of delays down the line.

2. Prepare Your Documentation

You’ll need to prepare a complete DA package, which typically includes:

• Site plans, elevations and architectural drawings prepared to scale

• Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) – a planning report explaining the proposal and assessing its compliance

• Waste management plan, bushfire assessment, flood study or traffic report, depending on the site

• BASIX certificate for residential developments

• Stormwater drainage concept plan, if required

It’s crucial that these documents meet your council’s formatting and technical requirements.

Some councils (like Parramatta, Sutherland Shire and Blacktown) have specific templates and policies that must be followed.

A small mistake, such as inconsistent floor areas or incorrect shadow diagrams, can lead to rejection at the lodgement stage.

3. Submit via the NSW Planning Portal

Once your documentation is ready, you must lodge the DA through the NSW Planning Portal. The portal is mandatory for most councils across the state.

You’ll be prompted to:

• Enter your site details

• Upload your documents

• Select the development type

• Pay the applicable lodgement fees (these vary by council and development type)

Note: Some councils charge additional fees for public notification and engineering referrals, which may not be obvious upfront.

4. Public Notification Period

After submission, the council will notify adjoining neighbours and sometimes the broader community. This is typically via letter and/or signage on your site.

Public submissions may be accepted for 14–28 days, depending on the type of development and location. If objections are received, the assessment process can be delayed or elevated to a planning panel.

5. Assessment and Determination

Council planning officers will review your application against all relevant planning controls.

They may request additional information (known as an RFI – Request for Information) if anything is missing or unclear. The process can take anywhere from 4 to 16 weeks, depending on the council and complexity.

If the proposal complies and no major objections are received, it will likely be approved under delegated authority.

More complex applications or those with strong community opposition may go to an Independent Local Planning Panel (IHAP) or Council Meeting.

Case Study: Home Extension in the Blue Mountains

A homeowner in the Blue Mountains attempted to lodge a DA themselves for a rear extension and deck to their existing dwelling.

While they had a draftsman prepare the plans, the submission lacked a proper Statement of Environmental Effects, did not address heritage impacts (the property was near a conservation area), and omitted stormwater drainage details.

Council issued a formal Request for Information, giving the owner 21 days to respond.

Overwhelmed and unsure how to address the issues, the client engaged StraightLine Planning to resolve the situation.

We revised the SEE, liaised with the council’s planning and engineering teams, and commissioned a site-specific drainage concept from a hydraulic engineer.

We also provided a visual streetscape impact analysis to demonstrate compatibility with neighbouring dwellings.

The result? The DA was approved within four weeks of re-submission, with conditions that the owner found entirely manageable.

This case is a classic example of how professional support can turn a stalled or failing application into a success.

Should You Lodge a DA Yourself?

You can lodge a DA yourself if you have planning experience and your project is relatively straightforward (e.g., a single-storey extension in a compliant zone).

But if your site is constrained, the project is ambitious, or you're dealing with commercial or multi-dwelling proposals, professional help is worth every cent.

At StraightLine Planning, we help homeowners, developers and business owners across NSW prepare and manage successful DA submissions from concept to council approval.

Whether you're navigating parking shortfalls, heritage overlays, flood-prone land, or acoustic restrictions, we ensure every document is prepared correctly, and every requirement is addressed.

Need help with your DA? Contact us to discuss your project today.