Development Application
Lodging a Development Application with your Local Council
Prior
to undertaking building or development work, Council approval is to be
obtained. This is achieved by applying for a Development Consent or a Complying
Development Application. Development consent is obtained once council is
satisfied that the proposal satisfies council policies, and it does not
infringe significantly on the amenity of the immediate area. The DA cannot be
issued by a Private Certifier, contact your local Council for further information.
Development Consent
A successful DA will receive a written Development Consent which outlines the conditions which need to be Complied with in order to have the development constructed in a manner which is safe to inhabitants (compliance to the Building Regulations); and does not infringe on the rights of those living or working in the region of the development, compliance to the Conditions of Consent. This will be in the form of a several page document which provides a DA number, the date consent of the DA was given and the expiry date (most Development Consents will last approximately 2-5 years), and the Conditions which are unique to your particular area and development.
Construction Certificate
Now
that you have your Development Consent it is time to apply for a Construction
Certificate. A Construction Certificate is an approval certifying that the
Development Consent complies with the Building Code of Australia, The
Australian Standards and relevant Conditions of Consent (outlined on your DC).
This is where you decide to use local Council to issue your Construction
Certificate or use an Accredited Private Certifier.
When
lodging your application form you will need to supply various documents as
outlined on the CC Checklist. Usually clients will initially send in an
application form and copies of their plans and Development Consent for perusal.
On receiving these items, your details will be logged onto our system, a file
number will be allocated and a report will be forwarded outlining any
additional information you need to supply to receive your Construction
Certificate. Once all of the information has been submitted to your certifier,
and he/she is content that the information supplied satisfies all of the
Conditions of Consent, then a certificate will be forwarded within a few days.
Usually the wait time for a Construction Certificate is reliant upon how
quickly the applicant can supply the necessary information.
Conditions of Consent Satisfied
You have submitted all the required information and satisfied all of the Conditions of Consent required to start building your development. You will receive a copy of the Certificate, a copy of your plans stamped by the Certifier and all relevant documentation. A second copy of the Certificate and stamped documents will be forwarded to your local council at least two days prior to the commencement of building work (as required by law). You are now free to pull out the tools and start building.
Site Inspections
Usually you will receive a letter with your Certificate outlining what inspections will be required during the course of the construction. You will need to call our office (or email) to book an certifier for each mandatory critical stage inspection.
Occupation Certificate
Once all inspections are completed including the final inspection, and we have received all necessary documents for example;- smoke detector certification; termite protection certification; Fire Safety Schedule; and your development has been constructed in accordance with the Council’s Conditions of Consent and the Building Code of Australia; you will be eligible to receive an Occupation Certificate. The Occupation Certificate allows the development to be used for the manner it was designed for. It also enables the building to be sold to another party.