Development Information

1. Getting Your Development Started

All development, whether building, subdivision or demolition requires the submission of a Development Application and the consent of Council subject to the relevant legislation and guidelines unless it is Exempt Development or Complying Development. If you intend to build or plan to develop or use your land in Bland Shire the first step is to see Council, the authority responsible for that land.

Council will be able to tell you:

The rules for developing the particular site under Council's Local Environmental Plan;The development assessment process;Any issues they might know affecting your proposed development and use of the site.

Council's Development Services Department offers a comprehensive service for anyone wishing to obtain a Complying Development; Construction; Occupation or Subdivision Certificate and Council's Development Services Officers are available for pre-submission discussion.

2. Exempt and Complying Development

Exempt Development is of minimal environmental impact and does not require development approval. A complete list of these activities can be found in Council's Development Control Plan.

Complying Development is small in scale and low impact. Development classified this way is listed in Council's Development Control Plan.

Complying Development requires certification by a Council Officer or by an accredited certifier. This can usually be arranged within twenty working days and once a Complying Development Certificate is issued building can commence on the property. Other certificates are required to certify the construction process and finalisation of the project.

All other development requires the submission of a Development Application and the consent of Council subject to the relevant legislation.

For more information on Exempt and Complying Development click on the following link -

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/exemptandcomplying

3. Construction Certificate

A Construction Certificate is the approval required to actually commence and carry out building/construction works authorised by development and must be obtained before works commence.

Council or a Private Certifier can issue the Construction Certificate in respect of building work. Engineering work on public land or affecting public infrastructure must be the subject of an application to Council.

For more information visit the Construction Certificate page.

Local Government Act Approval for Plumbing Works

A Local Government Act approval is the approval required to actually commence and carry out plumbing and stormwater works and must be obtained before works commence. Application for approval can be made by completing the Combined Development Application/Construction Certificate form and ticking the relevant boxes for water or sewage works. An application must be accompanied by relevant plans and information. All plumbing and/or drainage works must be undertaken by an appropriately licensed and qualified plumber.

Can I make changes to my approved plans?

Yes you can.

Modification of an approved development may require further assessment (of the changes proposed). In turn this may require re-notification of the proposal to allow neighbours and the community to comment on the proposed changes. It is recommended that you discuss any changes with a Councils Development Officer as soon as you realise a need for any changes to the approved plans.

IMPORTANT: You must not proceed with any unauthorised changes until they have been properly assessed and approved.