Council & Building Approval Services NSW

Acquisitions, Development Approvals and Construction

From Concept to Completion

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What We Do

Solutions to projects

When it comes to approvals, CIVAC are the project management and approvals experts. We take care of your development from start to finish, with experienced, comprehensive support to ensure your project can safely and satisfactorily achieve the approvals it needs to begin construction. Whether you’re considering a residential building and renovation project, seeking building approval for a commercial development, or you need support in undertaking a subdivision, we take the hassle out of your approval and development management.

Residential

Whether you’re adding an extension to your current property, completing some large-scale renovations, or you’re looking to build your dream home, the experts at CIVAC do the hard yards for you. We’re here to help you get the approvals you need to ensure your new build, extension, or renovation goes off without a hitch. We liaise with your local council, manage your services, file all the necessary applications for you—we even help you find a trustworthy builder.

We take care of the process from start to finish, and manage all the necessary approvals for:

Commercial

When undertaking commercial approvals, you need a trusted partner by your side. At CIVAC, we provide expert project management and town planner support to ensure your developments remain on track, on time, and on budget. You benefit from a comprehensive approvals and project management solution, with the capacity to scale as your project does.

Our goal is to make your job easier. You manage your side of the project, we’ll take care of the certifications, compliance, and approvals for:

Subdivisions

We take the headache out of undertaking a subdivision of your land. After all, it’s your land—we help you achieve your outcome smoothly and seamlessly, no matter how large your block is. Your CIVAC specialist will manage the entire process for you. From gaining the initial approval, to managing the development approval conditions, and undertaking the registration on your behalf. Our team are experts in:

SOLUTIONS TO PROJECTS OF ALL SIZES

When it comes to approvals, CIVAC are the project management and approvals experts. We take care of your development from start to finish, with experienced, comprehensive support to ensure your project can safely and satisfactorily achieve the approvals it needs to begin construction. Whether you’re considering a residential building and renovation project, seeking building approval for a commercial development, or you need support in undertaking a subdivision, we take the hassle out of your approval and development management.

RESIDENTIAL

Whether you’re adding an extension to your current property, completing some large-scale renovations, or you’re looking to build your dream home, the experts at CIVAC do the hard yards for you. We’re here to help you get the approvals you need to ensure your new build, extension, or renovation goes off without a hitch. We liaise with your local council, manage your services, file all the necessary applications for you—we even help you find a trustworthy builder.

We take care of the process from start to finish, and manage all the necessary approvals for:

COMMERCIAL

When undertaking commercial approvals, you need a trusted partner by your side. At CIVAC, we provide expert project management and town planner support to ensure your developments remain on track, on time, and on budget. You benefit from a comprehensive approvals and project management solution, with the capacity to scale as your project does.

Our goal is to make your job easier. You manage your side of the project, we’ll take care of the certifications, compliance, and approvals for:

SUBDIVISIONS

We take the headache out of undertaking a subdivision of your land. After all, it’s your land—we help you achieve your outcome smoothly and seamlessly, no matter how large your block is. Your CIVAC specialist will manage the entire process for you. From gaining the initial approval, to managing the development approval conditions, and undertaking the registration on your behalf. Our team are experts in:

OUR PROCESS

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WE’RE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

YOUR APPLICATION

We’re here to make your council approval process easy, so you can start your construction or renovation sooner. To begin the process, all you need to do is get in touch with us.

Our experienced sales team will discuss your development and get to understand your project. They’ll then connect you with one of our specialist in-house Town Planners or Project Managers, who will investigate your idea to determine the necessary approvals required for your property, and help you manage the process moving forward.

WE'LL BE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

SURVEYS & PLANNING

We manage every aspect of the required surveys to see your project through to successful completion.

Our Registered Surveyor attends your property to undertake a Detail and Level Survey, which captures all the required data to allow us to get to work. This then gets delivered to our Architects, who meet with you to discuss your project ideas and design options. Your Architect will create a Concept Plan, which can then be delivered to the necessary parties to ensure it meets your approval criteria, and importantly, that it suits your vision.

When you sign off on this, we then turn your concept plan into a real, tangible Architectural Plan. We’ll also create any necessary Engineering plans that lay the groundwork for safe, secure development.

We undertake any specialist consultant reports to ensure every element of your project gets the green light. Whether it’s an Arborist, Acoustic or Geotechnical Report, or Environment Effect Statement, our team will manage the process for you.

WE'LL BE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

LODGEMENT

The next step is to lodge your application to the relevant Approval Authority—you don’t have to lift a finger. We’re well-versed in dealing with local Council, so we take care of this all for you, and manage and monitor the process until the determination is received.

Your Project Manager will work with you to prepare and lodge your application to either your local Council, or the relevant Private Certifier. They’ll then monitor the approval for you, answering any queries or questions as they occur, and touch base with you to obtain any additional information.

WE'LL BE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

DEVELOPMENT

Once approval is received, it’s time to get started on your development project. Our expert team will continue to manage the process—we’re not going anywhere.

Your Project Manager takes care of the next steps, whether it’s obtaining a Builders Home Warranty Certificate and delivering this your Private Certifier, or managing the process to receive a Construction Certificate.

Once your necessary Certificate has been issued, our Project Managers will appoint a Principal Certifying Authority on your behalf. They’ll be the ones to carry out any mandatory inspections during construction and issue you with an Occupation Certificate at the end of your project (if needed).

And now? It’s now time to get started. We can help in appointing a Licenced Builder from our trusted panel, and we’ll also work with you to manage the construction for you.

It’s a detailed process, but with CIVAC, it’s never a hassle.

Get in touch with us to get started on your project today.

FAQ'S

Got questions about your development approval? We’ve got answers.

There are several low impact building works that may qualify as exempt development. These can include garden sheds and internal works.

Prior to commencing work, it is essential to verify that the works are exempt under the code.

Engaging a Town Planner to assess this and prepare a report will save any issues later.

The time frame for obtaining a Building Permit in NSW is dependent upon the method of approval.

A Development Application lodged with Council can take up to six (6) months depending on the development type and complexity.

A Complying Development Application lodged to a Private Certifier can be approved in as little as two (2) weeks.

Whether approval is needed for internal renovations is dependent on the nature of the renovations.

If the renovations include the removal of a structural wall, then approval would be required as a structural engineer would need to be involved.

If the renovations are to a bathroom or kitchen area, approval may be required if Waterproofing is involved.

The documents needed for approval are dependent on the nature of the works and the property. Documents can include:

Architectural Plans
Engineering Plans
Arborist Report
Engineering Reports
BASIX Certificate
Waste Management Plan
Heritage Report
Flood Report
Ecological Report

If building works have been carried out without approved plans, it will be illegal works. Building without planning permission is a violation of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A).

If you build without permission, you will receive an Intention to Give an Order from your local Council.

This can lead to forced demolition of illegal works, hefty fines, and legal action.

Talk to us about your development project.

No matter the size, scope, or complexity, our team is here to help make your development project a success. Ready to get started? Send us your project details in the fields below, and one of our specialists will be in touch to discuss your next steps.