Property development consent is a critical aspect of property development in Sydney. It is a legal requirement that property developers must comply with before starting any development project. In this blog, we will talk about the importance of property development consent in Sydney and why it is crucial to obtain it.

What is Property Development Consent?

Property development consent is a legal requirement that property developers must obtain before starting any development project. It is also known as development approval and is issued by the local council or private certifier. The purpose of property development consent is to ensure that any proposed development project complies with the relevant planning policies and regulations.

The Importance of Property Development Consent

Obtaining property development consent is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that the proposed development project complies with the relevant planning policies and regulations. This compliance is essential to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the community and the environment.

Secondly, obtaining property development consent can give property developers greater certainty and confidence in their development projects. It provides a clear framework for the development project and helps to avoid any potential disputes or legal issues that may arise in the future.

Thirdly, property development consent can improve the marketability and value of the development project. It assures potential buyers and investors that the development project has been approved and complies with the relevant planning policies and regulations.

The Property Development Consent Process

The property development consent process in Sydney involves several steps, including:

1. Pre-Development Application Before submitting a development application, property developers must undertake pre-development application discussions with the local council or private certifier. This is to ensure that the proposed development project complies with the relevant planning policies and regulations.
2. Development Application Once the pre-development application discussions have taken place, the property developer can submit a development application. The development application includes plans , drawings of the proposed development project, and supporting documents.
3. Assessment The local council or private certifier will assess the development application to ensure that it complies with the relevant planning policies and regulations. The assessment process can take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the development project.
4. Public Notification If the proposed development project is deemed to have a significant impact on the local community, the local council will notify nearby residents and stakeholders of the proposed development project.
5. Determination After the assessment and public notification process, the local council or private certifier will determine whether to grant or refuse property development consent.
6. Construction Certificate If property development consent is granted, the property developer must obtain a construction certificate before commencing any construction work.
7. Building Certification After construction works have been completed, and the property developer must obtain building certification to ensure that the building complies with the relevant building codes and standards.

The Role of a Private Certifier

Property developers can choose to engage a private certifier to assess and determine their development application. Private certifiers are accredited professionals who have the authority to issue property development consent. Engaging a private certifier can often result in a faster and more streamlined development application process.

Conclusion

Property development consent is a crucial legal requirement that property developers must comply with before starting any development project in Sydney. Obtaining property development consent ensures that the proposed development project complies with the relevant planning policies and regulations, provides greater certainty and confidence in the development project, and improves the marketability and value of the development project.

The property development consent process involves several steps, including pre-development application, development application, assessment, public notification, determination, construction certificate, and building certification. Property developers can engage a private certifier to assess and determine their development application, resulting in a faster and more streamlined development application process. It is essential for property developers to understand property development consent.