Top Rated Town Planning Services 2025 - Blacktown City Council Area

If you're planning a development in Sydney's Blacktown City Council area, StraightLine Planning is your trusted partner for navigating the complex local planning landscape. 

With a deep understanding of the area's unique characteristics and council requirements, we offer tailored solutions to help you achieve your development goals efficiently and effectively.​

Why Choose StraightLine Planning?

At StraightLine Planning, we specialise in providing comprehensive town planning services across Blacktown City Council's jurisdiction, including suburbs like Blacktown, Seven Hills and Mount Druitt. 

Our services encompass Development Applications (DAs), Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), Statements of Environmental Effects (SEEs), Clause 4.55 and 4.6 variation applications, and Building Information Certificate (BIC) applications. 

We also assist with unauthorised building works, feasibility studies, and due diligence reports. 

Our team collaborates closely with clients to ensure compliance with local planning controls and to streamline the approval process.​

Local Expertise in Blacktown City Council Suburbs

Blacktown City Council encompasses a diverse range of suburbs, each with its own planning considerations. Our experience spans across the region, including:​

• Blacktown: As a central hub, we've assisted clients with mixed-use developments, balancing commercial needs with residential amenity.​

• Seven Hills: In this established suburb, we've facilitated approvals for residential renovations and secondary dwellings, ensuring developments align with the area's character.​

• Mount Druitt: Our team has guided clients through the process of obtaining approvals for commercial change of use, enhancing property value while maintaining compliance with planning regulations.​

Case Studies: Delivering Results

1. Section 4.55 Modification for a Dual Occupancy in Seven Hills

A builder-developer in Seven Hills engaged StraightLine Planning after receiving development consent for a dual occupancy that no longer suited their revised design goals.

The approved plans required modification to relocate the car parking and shift the internal layout of both dwellings. We undertook a Section 4.55(2) application, preparing a detailed planning justification that demonstrated the changes would not result in environmental impacts or neighbour privacy loss.

We supported the application with an updated Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE), revised shadow diagrams and driveway grade compliance checks.

Blacktown Council had previously flagged concerns about traffic manoeuvrability and private open space. We addressed this through a compliance matrix and urban design justification, ensuring the revised design retained minimum standards under the DCP.

The modification was approved in under six weeks with no public objections, a testament to our strategic pre-lodgement liaison with council planners.

2. Building Information Certificate & Retrospective DA – Rooty Hill Commercial Warehouse

A property investor in Rooty Hill purchased a warehouse unit unaware that unauthorised mezzanine works had been constructed by the previous owner.

The mezzanine was being used for storage and light industrial activity, placing the property at risk of compliance action. StraightLine Planning coordinated a dual-track approach:

• We commissioned a private certifier and fire engineer to assess compliance with BCA performance requirements.

• Simultaneously, we prepared a Building Information Certificate (BIC) application to regularise the unauthorised works.

• Because the use slightly exceeded the original consent conditions, we also submitted a retrospective DA, supported by a planning report, operational waste plan and access strategy.

The BIC was approved subject to minor fire upgrades and an evacuation plan, and the DA received conditional consent with a 5-year operational timeframe.

This case demonstrates our capacity to resolve legacy compliance issues without disrupting business continuity.

3. Clause 4.6 Height Variation for Townhouse Development – Blacktown

A client proposing a multi-unit townhouse project on a consolidated site in central Blacktown faced a technical breach of the 8.5m height control under the Blacktown LEP 2015.

One of the three townhouses marginally exceeded the height limit due to the site’s natural slope and the client’s desire to retain a pitched roof design to match the streetscape.

StraightLine Planning prepared a Clause 4.6 variation request that addressed all four limbs of the test under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

We argued that strict compliance with the numerical height standard was unreasonable and that the proposed variation achieved the same planning objectives, including consistency with neighbourhood character and built form transition.

We submitted contextual street elevations, overshadowing diagrams and comparative 3D massing to show that the development would not result in adverse visual or amenity impacts.

The variation was accepted by council staff and reported to the planning panel with a positive recommendation, resulting in approval.

4. Commercial Change of Use from Takeaway to Massage Therapy – Mount Druitt

A business owner in Mount Druitt approached us to convert a long-standing takeaway premises into a registered massage therapy studio.

Although the physical layout met operational requirements, the change of use triggered new planning considerations under the zoning, parking rates, and acoustic treatment guidelines.

We lodged a Development Application that included:

• A comprehensive Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) referencing State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021.

• A car parking demand study and operational plan of management, explaining staggered appointments and low impact use.

• Consultation with neighbouring tenants to pre-empt any concerns.

The DA was approved under delegated authority with a five-year use consent, subject to conditions around hours of operation and signage.

This project illustrates our deep understanding of transitioning legacy commercial stock into new uses that align with changing community needs.

Comprehensive Services for Diverse Needs

Our services are designed to cater to a wide range of planning needs:​

• Development Applications (DAs): Expert preparation and management to facilitate timely approvals.​

• Complying Development Certificates (CDCs): Streamlined processes for developments that meet specific criteria.​

• Clause 4.55 and 4.6 Variations: Strategic applications to modify existing consents or seek variations to development standards.​

• Building Information Certificates (BICs): Assistance in legitimising unauthorised works and ensuring compliance.​

• Feasibility Studies: In-depth analyses to assess the viability of proposed developments.​

• Due Diligence Reports: Comprehensive evaluations to inform property acquisitions and investments.​

Partner with StraightLine Planning

Navigating the planning process in Blacktown City Council can be complex, but with StraightLine Planning, you have a dedicated team to guide you every step of the way. 

Our local knowledge, professional expertise, and commitment to client success make us the preferred choice for town planning services in the region.​

Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can help bring your vision to life.