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2 September 2024 — A new report reveals the top 10 fastest and slowest Sydney councils for Development Application (DA) approvals, highlighting significant disparities in efficiency across the city. The report, produced by leading Sydney renovation firm Nouvelle, analysed data from the to identify which Sydney councils are excelling in timely approvals and those that are lagging behind.

The findings reveal that Wollondilly is the fastest council, with homeowners waiting on average 61 days for DA approval, while the Georges River council comes in slowest with an average 289-day wait for DA approvals.

10 Fastest Greater Sydney Councils for DA Approvals (lodgement plus assessment times) in 2024

1. Wollondilly – Averaging 61 days for approval
2. Blacktown – Averaging 78 days for approval
3. Camden – Averaging 81 days for approval
4. Lane Cove – Averaging 88 days for approval
5. Hornsby – Averaging 95 days for approval
6. Fairfield – Averaging 98 days for approval
7. Penrith – Averaging 98 days for approval
8. Northern Beaches – Averaging 113 days for approval
9. The Hills – Averaging 116 days for approval
10. Blue Mountains – Averaging 117 days for approval

10 Slowest Greater Sydney Councils for DA Approvals (lodgement plus assessment times) in 2024

1. Woollahra – Averaging 184 days for approval
2. Strathfield – Averaging 186 days for approval
3. Bayside- Averaging 192 days for approval
4. Parramatta – Averaging 215 days for approval
5. Liverpool – Averaging 215 days for approval
6. Hunters Hill – Averaging 216 days for approval
7. Willoughby – Averaging 238 days for approval
8. Sutherland – Averaging 258 days for approval
9. North Sydney – Averaging 266 days for approval
10. Georges River- Averaging 289 days for approval

FY 2023–2024

Source: NSW Planning Department

The in-depth analysis underscores the varying performance levels of local councils and their significant impact on home renovations in Greater Sydney. The excitement of transforming living spaces through home renovation often turns into frustration for homeowners due to lengthy delays in DA approvals. Slow council approval times can have a profound impact on home renovations, affecting not just the timeline but hiking up costs and negatively affecting the homeowner experience.

The report also looks at the factors that can affect DA approval times, including application volume, differing application and approval processes between councils and the complexity of individual projects.

“³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ 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.

“³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾owners planning a renovation, such as a kitchen or bathroom overhaul, should anticipate a timeline of three to five months from sketch to approval. If DA approval is required for a project that includes an addition, demolition or a major change to the floor plan, they should allow longer – up to nine and half months’ more if they live in an area such as North Sydney or Georges River.

“³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾owners play an important role in keeping timelines on-track too. In order to meet a specific deadline – say, if they’re starting a kitchen renovation in July and want it completed by Christmas – they need to be organised and finalise details like colours, joinery handles and layout changes as soon as possible.

“Involving a renovation professional early in the process who is not only well-versed in spatial design and project management, but the intricacies of the council approvals process, is crucial.

“Handling a major renovation yourself can seem like a smart way to save money, but if you don’t have the necessary experience, it can quickly result in project delays, budget blowouts and time-consuming backwards and forwards with council. This can leave homeowners with a half-finished renovation they can’t afford to complete – sadly something we’ve seen many times before where a homeowner has taken on a project themselves,” he says.

Read the full report on the fastest and slowest Sydney councils for DA approvals here.