Variations in Residential Building Approval Timeframes Across Greater Sydney Councils

For timely approval of your home renovation project in FY 2023-24, plan ahead. Wollondilly Council requires two months, Blacktown and Camden need 2.75 months, and Lane Cove and Hornsby require three months.

Planning a home renovation is complicated, and one of the critical factors to consider is the timeframe for obtaining building permits and approvals. The work hinges on securing the necessary building permits from local councils, a process that involves two key stages: lodgement and assessment. Lodgement is the initial step where an application is submitted to the council. It is followed by the assessment stage, where the council evaluates the application and decides whether to approve or reject it. The duration of these stages varies depending on the council, affecting how far in advance homeowners need to plan their renovation projects. For instance, a lodgement-assessment process that takes 60 days requires at least two months of planning, whereas a 270-day process necessitates a nine-month lead time. To help homeowners work out this process, we have analysed NSW Government data to compare the lodgement and assessment periods across 33 councils in the Greater Sydney area from FY 2021 to 2024 so that you can plan your renovation timeline smartly.

Council Approval Speeds in Greater Sydney

Council approval timeframes across Greater Sydney vary due to factors such as the balance between the duration it takes to submit and assess development applications, which ultimately affects the overall turnaround time.

Blacktown has shown stable performance over the past three years, with a slight increase in total days in FY 2023-24 compared to previous years.

Camden had a notably shorter timeframe in FY 2021-22, followed by an increase in assessment days in FY 2022-23. There was an improvement in FY 2023-24, although the timeframe has not returned to the levels seen in FY 2021-22.

After a longer timeframe in FY 2022-23, Wollondilly experienced a noticeable reduction in the total number of days in FY 2023-24, showing among the most significant improvements of all Sydney councils.

Canterbury-Bankstown showed a reduction in total days in FY 2023-24 after experiencing the highest total days in FY 2022-23, but the timeframe remains comparatively longer.

Fairfield has seen a noticeable reduction in total days in FY 2023-24, showing an improvement over the previous years.

Hunters Hill has consistently had longer timeframes, though there is a slight improvement in FY 2023-24 compared to previous years.

Some councils, such as Camden and Wollondilly, have shown fluctuations in their approval timeframes across the three years. Others, like Canterbury-Bankstown and Fairfield, which had longer timeframes in previous years, showed improvement in FY 2023-24. Blacktown has maintained consistent timeframes, with a gradual increase in total days over the years.

Variations in year-to-year timeframes may reflect differences in internal processes or resource allocation.

FY 2023–2024

FY 2023–2024
Position	Council Name	Average Lodgement Days	Average Assessment Days	No. of Applications Lodged	No. of Applications Assessed	Total Days
1	Wollondilly	8	53	517	515	61
2	Blacktown	13	65	888	909	78
3	Camden	6	75	324	276	81
4	Lane Cove	22	66	71	65	88
5	Hornsby	11	84	308	246	95
6	Fairfield	10	88	175	151	98
6	Penrith	6	92	298	221	98
7	Northern Beaches	12	101	822	710	113
8	The Hills	14	102	750	749	116
9	Blue Mountains	36	81	293	249	117
10	Inner West	8	113	626	459	121
11	Mosman	16	118	117	99	134
12	Canterbury-Bankstown	21	126	403	388	147
13	Campbelltown	5	148	208	148	153
13	Waverley	22	131	267	194	153
14	Cumberland	30	124	390	314	154
15	Sydney	9	150	326	266	159
16	Hawkesbury	38	122	200	194	160
17	Canada Bay	12	150	138	98	162
17	Randwick	5	157	305	274	162
18	Ku-ring-gai	18	147	288	245	165
19	Ryde	18	159	178	165	177
20	Burwood	9	172	39	35	181
21	Woollahra	8	176	326	253	184
22	Strathfield	17	169	70	69	186
23	Bayside	16	176	200	171	192
24	Liverpool	20	195	325	413	215
24	Parramatta	31	184	268	217	215
25	Hunters Hill	18	198	69	55	216
26	Willoughby	19	219	161	104	238
27	Sutherland	16	242	412	383	258
28	North Sydney	17	249	115	78	266
29	Georges River	30	259	289	183	146

Councils with Shorter Processing Times

Wollondilly and Blacktown councils have among the shortest total processing times for building permit applications. Wollondilly, with a total of 61 days, boasts one of the quickest turnaround times.

These councils also manage a massive volume of applications, with Blacktown handling the highest number, processing 888 lodged and 909 assessed applications.

Councils with Longer Processing Times

Woollahra, Strathfield, and Liverpool have longer average assessment periods, with Woollahra taking 176 days on average.

These councils also have a noticeable difference between the number of applications lodged and those assessed, indicating a higher volume of pending applications, particularly in areas such as Liverpool.

FY 2022–2023

FY 2022–2023
Position	Council Name	Average Lodgement Days	Average Assessment Days	No. of Applications Lodged	No. of Applications Assessed	Total Days
1	Blacktown	9	60	1125	1089	69
2	Lane Cove	5	65	39	33	70
3	Campbelltown	11	60	192	208	71
4	Georges River	11	62	127	93	73
5	Inner West	9	97	303	238	106
6	Hawkesbury	11	96	229	230	107
7	Parramatta	6	105	244	230	111
8	Willoughby	14	107	96	73	121
9	Sydney	31	107	148	127	138
10	Hornsby	21	120	223	239	141
11	Cumberland	19	123	406	193	142
12	Northern Beaches	30	126	533	481	156
13	Penrith	7	151	261	249	158
13	Liverpool	9	149	446	458	158
14	Mosman	17	150	69	57	167
15	Randwick	29	141	170	150	170
16	Ryde	15	157	170	145	172
17	North Sydney	16	161	76	62	177
18	Sutherland	14	171	325	333	185
19	Wollondilly	47	139	558	586	186
20	Burwood	6	182	28	24	188
21	Ku-ring-gai	35	154	183	133	189
22	Camden	9	184	439	481	193
23	The Hills	10	188	927	1024	198
24	Hunters Hill	6	203	37	24	209
25	Bayside	10	218	154	116	228
26	Waverley	7	243	162	159	250
27	Strathfield	17	239	63	51	256
28	Blue Mountains	6	257	175	167	263
28	Canada Bay	27	236	103	105	263
29	Woollahra	35	241	180	154	276
30	Fairfield	7	280	192	177	287
30	Canterbury-Bankstown	47	240	458	409	287

Councils with Shorter Processing Times

Blacktown processed a high volume of applications within a relatively shorter timeframe, achieving a total processing time of 69 days.

Lane Cove and Campbelltown also demonstrated shorter processing periods, with Lane Cove having a notably brief lodgement period of just five days.

Councils with Longer Processing Times

Canterbury-Bankstown and Fairfield had longer total processing times, averaging 287 days. The extended assessment periods contribute to the overall timeline.

Woollahra (241 days) and Blue Mountains (257 days) also had long assessment periods.

FY 2021–2022

FY 2021–2022
Position	Council Name	Average Lodgement Days	Average Assessment Days	No. of Applications Lodged	No. of Applications Assessed	Total Days
1	Camden	3	50	821	744	53
2	Blacktown	8	52	1346	1251	60
3	Wollondilly	14	61	477	405	75
4	Fairfield	7	76	168	153	83
5	Lane Cove	12	95	54	51	107
6	Penrith	6	107	374	314	113
6	The Hills	15	98	1256	1074	113
7	Hornsby	14	102	256	212	116
8	Northern Beaches	16	102	541	412	118
9	Campbelltown	4	116	266	180	120
10	Canterbury-Bankstown	19	106	549	492	125
11	Sydney	6	128	183	128	134
12	Hawkesbury	39	97	185	130	136
13	Strathfield	11	127	89	88	138
14	Liverpool	10	132	866	511	142
14	Ryde	16	126	162	134	142
15	Inner West	10	136	347	208	146
16	Waverley	9	143	199	142	152
17	Mosman	13	141	61	55	154
18	Blue Mountains	10	147	230	166	157
19	Cumberland	26	136	351	265	162
20	Ku-ring-gai	16	150	181	132	166
20	Parramatta	30	136	349	280	166
21	Bayside	10	157	183	155	167
21	North Sydney	4	163	102	49	167
22	Randwick	4	177	205	139	181
23	Woollahra	6	191	172	135	197
24	Burwood	5	193	34	27	198
25	Willoughby	38	161	74	56	199
26	Sutherland	33	168	480	324	201
27	Canada Bay	14	194	106	68	208
28	Georges River	19	194	176	152	213
29	Hunters Hill	17	203	31	13	220

Councils with Shorter Processing Times

Camden processed applications within a notably shorter timeframe, with a total processing time of 53 days.

Blacktown and Wollondilly also demonstrated shorter processing periods, with total days of 60 and 75, respectively.

Councils with Longer Processing Times

Hunters Hill and Georges River had longer processing times, with total days exceeding 200.

Canada Bay and Sutherland also experienced extended timelines, particularly during their assessment phases.

Factors Influencing the Speed of Council Approvals

The speed at which councils process building permit applications ride on factors like differing processes and requirements, application volume, and the the complexity of individual projects. By recognising these factors, councils can take steps to optimise their processes and reduce approval times.

Homeowners should engage with their local councils early, prepare comprehensive documentation, and be aware of requirements to streamline the approval process for their renovation projects.

Different Application Processes or Requirements

Each council in Greater Sydney may have distinct processes and requirements for building permit applications. These variations affect the time it takes for lodgement and assessment. For instance:

Documentation Requirements: Some councils may require detailed documentation: environmental impact assessments, heritage impact statements, or architectural plans. Gathering this documentation can prolong the lodgement phase.
Approval Workflow: Councils have different workflows and approval chains. For example, a council with a more streamlined, digital-first workflow can process applications faster than one relying heavily on manual procedures.
Regulatory Stringency: Certain councils may have more stringent regulations, necessitating thorough scrutiny and multiple rounds of review, which can extend the assessment period.

Higher Volume of Applications Leading to a More Streamlined Process

Councils that handle a high volume of applications may develop more efficient processes to manage the workload. Factors include:

Experience and Efficiency: High application volumes make councils more adept at processing applications swiftly. Staff may become more experienced and therefore reduce errors and the need for resubmissions.
Dedicated Resources: Councils with a higher number of applications may allocate more resources, such as dedicated assessment teams or additional staff during peak periods, to ensure timely processing.
Technology and Automation: To handle larger volumes, councils may invest in technology solutions like online application systems, automated tracking, and digital approvals to speed up their processes.

More Complex Projects Being Submitted in Certain Councils

The nature and complexity of projects submitted to different councils can also influence approval times. Factors include:

Project Scale and Complexity: Councils in areas with higher development activity may receive more complex projects, such as multi-unit developments, commercial buildings, or projects with concerning environmental impacts. These projects require more detailed assessments and longer approval times.
Specialist Assessments: Complex projects often necessitate specialist assessments (e.g., traffic impact studies, ecological surveys) and consultations, which can prolong the assessment period.
Stakeholder Engagement: Larger or more impactful projects may require extensive public consultation and engagement with stakeholders, including local communities, which can add time to the approval process.

Mitigating the Impact of Delays

Understanding and planning for impacts can help homeowners better get through the renovation process, even when faced with delays in permit approvals. Here is how:

Thorough Preparation: Homeowners should prepare all necessary documents meticulously to avoid delays during the lodgement stage.
Effective Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with contractors, suppliers, and the council to stay informed about the progress and potential issues.
Flexibility and Contingency Planning: Build flexibility into the project timeline and budget. Having a contingency plan for delays helps manage unexpected issues effectively.
Professional Assistance: Hire a professional project manager or a liaison familiar with local regulations to work out the permit process.
Stay Informed: Regularly check the status of your application and stay updated on changes in local building regulations that might affect your project.

Source

Variations in Residential Building Approval Timeframes Across Greater Sydney Councils

Council Approval Speeds in Greater Sydney

FY 2023–2024

Councils with Shorter Processing Times

Councils with Longer Processing Times

FY 2022–2023

Councils with Shorter Processing Times

Councils with Longer Processing Times

FY 2021–2022

Councils with Shorter Processing Times

Councils with Longer Processing Times

Factors Influencing the Speed of Council Approvals

Different Application Processes or Requirements

Higher Volume of Applications Leading to a More Streamlined Process

More Complex Projects Being Submitted in Certain Councils

Mitigating the Impact of Delays

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