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As Australia struggles to meet the ambitious goal of building 1.2 million homes by 2029, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) has pointed to underperforming councils as a significant barrier. In a new report released this week, the BCA urges the government to name and shame councils that are lagging behind in approval processes and exacerbating the national housing crisis.

In July 2024, NSW launched an online report card system to hold councils accountable for delays in Development Application (DA) approvals. However, NSW remains the only state with such transparency. The BCA’s new It’s Time to Say Yes to Housing report calls for this system to be expanded nationwide. It recommends publishing council performance data in every state and territory in Australia to transparently monitor DA approval times, from lodgement through to construction approval, placing pressure on sluggish councils to expedite their approvals process.

The council league tables reveal significant disparities in approval times across Greater Sydney, as highlighted in a recent report by leading Sydney renovation firm Nouvelle. The report showcases the 10 slowest and fastest Sydney councils in for DA approvals for renovations and new builds over the last three years between 2021 and 2024, exposing serious inefficiencies that are impacting the housing supply.

Nouvelle’s findings reveal that Wollondilly is the fastest council in Greater Sydney, 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. 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 like North Sydney or Georges River.

“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,” he says.

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