Is it required?

• 

Details

Development applications are required if a development is considered an assessable development under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 ( 2.6 MB).

To determine if your proposed development is an assessable development, you will need to look at the following planning instruments:

• the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009, schedule 3
• your local government’s planning scheme.

The types of developments which are assessable development and therefore require a permit vary for each local government area. As a general rule, a development application must be lodged if you are:

• building any free-standing permanent structure
• extending or raising an existing structure
• building a retaining wall over one metre high or a fence over two metres high
• erecting signs.
  

You may also be required to lodge a development application if you are:

• clearing native vegetation
• demolishing an existing building or structure (in part or in full)
• changing the use of the land (e.g. a house to a block of units; an office to a retail shop; a wheat farm to a piggery)
• altering the exterior of a heritage place
• carrying out significant structural changes to an existing building.

Unless the property is heritage listed, you do not need a development application if you are:

• painting or redecorating the interior or exterior of a structure
• remodelling a kitchen or bathroom
• performing minor internal structural changes to an existing structure.

View more information on New approval processes for houses and duplexes.

Last updated on Wednesday, 10 October 2012