THE PRACTITIONER'S COMPANION
Wednesday 6 November 2024

How can it take 289 days to wait for Development Approval? 

Property firms and policy makers are highlighting DA delays and the impact on construction projects, as analysis of the NSW Planning Department reveals seven councils where approval takes 215 days or longer.

2 min read
Is it reasonable to wait 289 days for DA?

THAT’S the question homeowners in Georges River must be asking after a new report showing its place at the top of a table of the slowest DA-approving councils around the Greater Sydney area. 

But the problem is much more widespread, as property developers and policy makers are highlighting the delays and their impact on construction projects.  

Analysis by renovation specialists Nouvelle using NSW Planning Department reveals seven councils where approval takes 215 days or longer. 

Georges River residents face an average wait time of 289 days, placing the council at the bottom of the efficiency rankings, according to Nouvelle managing director Mike Turner.  

Other councils facing criticism for their sluggish performance include North Sydney, where homeowners wait an average of 266 days, and Sutherland, with a 258-day average. 

The following are the 10 slowest Greater Sydney councils for DA approvals in 2024, ranked from worst-performing: 

  1. Georges River – 289 days 
  1. North Sydney – 266 days 
  1. Sutherland – 258 days 
  1. Willoughby – 238 days 
  1. Hunters Hill – 216 days 
  1. Liverpool – 215 days 
  1. Parramatta – 215 days 
  1. Bayside – 192 days 
  1. Strathfield – 186 days 
  1. Woollahra – 184 days 

In contrast, some councils are managing to approve DAs in much shorter timeframes, with homeowners in the Wollondilly area waiting just 61 days on average for approvals.  

Blacktown, Camden, and Lane Cove also performed well, with approval times ranging between 78 and 88 days. 

“Home renovations are stressful enough without the added burden of lengthy DA approvals. Councils that streamline their approval processes not only help homeowners achieve their dreams faster, but help them keep costs down by avoiding ever-rising material and trade costs,” said Mike Turner, managing director at Nouvelle. 

With concern growing about the impact planning delays are having on the housing crisis, there has been a call to name and shame the worst performing councils. 

Nationally, just 165,443 dwellings were approved over the 12 months to July. 

That’s almost one-third below the 240,000 needed to the hit the national Housing Accord target.  

The NSW government, which is the worst performer, has laid out plans to force local governments to allow six storeys in transport hubs and town centres and has begun monitoring council performance on housing approvals. 

Business Council chief executive Bran Black said the housing assessment and approval process must be improved. 

“We want to work with local and state governments to speed up their housing decisions, so builders can get on with the job of delivering places for people to live,” he said 

“I hear from members that some councils are highly professional, while others are unresponsive and can take months to make a decision, in some cases running down the clock because they can.” 

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