Not Sure If You Need A Town Planner?

Council planners assess applications but cannot advocate for you or prepare your submission. A private town planner works on your side—assessing whether your project is feasible, preparing the application, and navigating the council on your behalf. Most people get referred to a private planner by council and do not know where to start. That is exactly what we are here for.

Central Coast Council is currently averaging around 89 days for DA assessment, though this varies depending on the complexity of your project. A well-prepared application moves significantly faster than one that goes back and forth with council. For complying development, approval can be obtained in as little as 10 to 20 days. We will give you a realistic timeline for your specific situation upfront.

Not necessarily. Planning is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. Where a project does not comply, we prepare detailed arguments that justify the variations sought. This is something we particularly pride ourselves on—seeking to obtain results that others cannot be bothered to attempt. Call us and we can tell you honestly what is achievable for your project.

Call us as soon as possible. Whether you have received a council notice or are looking to get retrospective approval, we can help. A call from us to council advising we have been engaged is generally enough to halt any fines being pursued until the matter is resolved. Do not wait—the sooner we are involved, the better the outcome.

Our fees vary depending on the service required and the scale of your development. We work off both quoted fixed fees and hourly rates. Our initial consultation is free of charge—once we understand your project, we will give you a clear indication of costs based on what you are trying to achieve. You only pay for work that is genuinely necessary.

Usually, yes. Subdividing land almost always requires a Development Application (DA) lodged with the Central Coast Council. The rules depend on your zoning, lot size, and any overlays that apply to your property. If you are thinking about subdividing, it is worth getting advice before you spend money on plans or builders. Get in touch and we can walk you through what is involved.

In NSW there are three main pathways for building work. Exempt development covers minor works that need no approval at all. Complying development is a faster, streamlined approval that bypasses the full DA process. A development application is required for anything more complex, where the council assesses your proposal on its merits. Not sure which applies to your project? We can tell you quickly.

Sometimes. Secondary dwellings can qualify for complying development in NSW, which means a faster approval through a private certifier rather than a full DA. Whether that pathway is available depends on your zoning, lot size, and site constraints. We can check your property and tell you exactly which route makes sense.

Before you buy, it is worth understanding the zoning, any overlays that apply, such as flood or bushfire, and whether there are prior DAs or approvals on the site. Buying without this information can mean expensive surprises down the track. A quick pre-purchase planning assessment can save you a lot of headaches and help you negotiate with confidence.

In most cases, yes. Changing how a property is used—whether from retail to office, industrial to warehouse, or anything in between—typically triggers a DA. The rules vary by zone and the nature of the change. If you are planning a change of use, talk to us before you sign a lease or commit to fitout costs.