Complying Development Certificate

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Development Certificate

A COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE IS AN ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL SOLUTION

When looking to undertake a building or renovation project, you don’t always have to go directly to a Development Application. In some cases, if your development is considered low impact or you’re just making minor changes to an existing property, a Complying Development Certificate can provide a faster process.

A CDC is an alternative approval process to a Development Approval. Rather than going through multiple steps, a CDC combines both planning and construction approval into one development. This assessment is then fast-tracked by your local council or an accredited certifier, and you can begin construction sooner.

At CIVAC, our Project Managers will work with you to ensure CDC meets the specific standards and conditions. Together, we’ll help you obtain approval that covers a range of construction and renovation processes, including:

Single and double-storey homes
Granny flats, studios, or other secondary dwellings
Alterations and additions to houses, such as awnings
Change of Use (Commercial)
Demolition of a building
Manor housing
Townhouses
Childcare Centres

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HOW OUR PROCESS WORKS

1 BENEFITS 2 PLANNING 3 LODGEMENT 4 APPROVAL

BENEFITS

We help you understand the benefits

There are two key benefits that you can take advantage of when lodging a Complying Development Certificate.

It’s faster
Lodging a standard Development Application to your local Council can take anywhere up to six month, or even longer. You don’t want to wait that long, particularly if you’re only undertaking minor works.

Upon lodging a Complying Development Certificate, you can receive approval in as little as 20 days. This means you can go from lodgement to organising construction in under a month.

It’s easier
Lodging a DA can be a convoluted process, particularly when you’re dealing with lots of different building aspects. As a CDC is typically used for smaller building projects, it allows you to combine the planning and construction approval into one process. This means you can streamline your approval and get your project up and running sooner.

PLANNING

We gather the necessary documentation

While the process for acquiring a Complying Development Certificate is shorter than a DA, you still need to gather the necessary documentation to receive approval.

Your CIVAC Project Manager will help you gather the necessary supporting documentation to lodge your CDC, which includes:

A set of plans and specifications, preferably A4 or A3
A site plan of your property
Elevations showing the side views of the proposed works. This includes any cutting or filling.
A list of building specifications, including building materials and construction methods
Any letters of consent for proposed works, like retaining walls
A complying Waste Management Plan (if required)
A complying Stormwater Management Plan (if required)
BASIX certificate

LODGEMENT

We lodge your application

After your Project Manager has gathered all the necessary certifications and supporting documentation, they’ll then prepare and lodge your Complying Development Certificate to your local Council on your behalf.

You don’t have to do anything, at this stage. They manage and monitor the process for you, and provide you with updates as to the progress of your application. Your Project Manager will be on call to answer any Council queries as your certificate progresses, and will respond with any additional information required to complete your application.

APPROVAL

The next steps

Once you receive approval for your Complying Development Certificate, we’ll get to work on the next stage in the process.

At this point, your Project Manager will obtain a Notice to Commence from a Private Certifier. This demonstrates proof of payment to your local Council, and that all the necessary licences and certificates have been acquired.

From here it’s a matter of choosing a builder, and getting started. CIVAC work with a trusted panel of licenced builders, and we can connect you with the builder that’s right for your project.

It’s time to get started.

FAQ'S

Got questions about your Complying Development Certificate? We’ve got answers.

The Complying Development approval process was designed to fast-track approvals for certain low-impact developments.

The proposed development and the site must comply with a set of fast-track assessment criteria to be eligible for approval through Complying Development.

Complying Development Certificates can be issued in approximately 2-3 weeks; as it is a combined planning and construction approval, site works can begin sooner.

Proposed Developments that do not meet the criteria to be approved through a Complying Development Certificate will require a Development Approval application to the local Council. This process is far lengthier and has additional requirements and steps.

Once approval has been obtained, then a Construction Certificate is required prior to commencing site works.

Exempt development applies to low-impact building work that is proposed to be carried out on a property that does not require approval.

It is essential to obtain advice from an experienced Town Planner to assess the proposed works against the Exempt Development Code to determine if this applies to your proposed works.

For a property and its proposed works to be eligible for approval through Complying Development, it must meet various planning requirements. These requirements include lot sizing, a distance of the proposed works to the boundary and environmental factors such as not being located in a heritage, bushfire or flood zone.

It is essential to engage the expert advice of a Town Planner to determine if Complying Development is an option of approval for you.

The Town Planner with consult the relevant planning instruments and legislation and the Section 10.7 (2&5) Planning Certificate relevant to your property.

A CDC is a combined planning and construction approval. CDC is required in order to legally proceed with construction works.

A CDC is valid for five (5) years from the date approval is granted. If works are physically commenced onsite the expiration date becomes obsolete.

A Complying Development Certificate is the result of a fast-track approval process for certain low impact developments.

The proposed development and the site must comply with a set of fast-track assessment criteria to be eligible for approval through Complying Development.

Complying Development Certificates can be issued in approximately 2-3 weeks. As it is a combined planning and construction approval, site works can begin sooner

The cost of CDC approval is dependent upon the type of works that is being approved.

Generally, a CDC approval is upwards of $1500.00. This includes assessment and issue of the CDC, approximately six (6) mandatory inspections during construction and issue of the Occupation Certificate.

Complying Development means that certain low impact developments can be designed and assessed to comply with a set of fast-track assessment criteria as set out in the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

It is a combined planning and construction approval that can be issued in as little as two (2) weeks.

Talk to us about obtaining a Complying Development Certificate for your project.

No matter the size, scope, or complexity of your project, our expert team is here to help make it 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.