Your development application (DA) has been approved. Before a construction certificate (CC) can be issued, though, there is usually a group of consent conditions to work through. Knowing which ones apply, and starting on them early, is one of the simplest ways to avoid delays.
How to find the conditions that apply before a CC
Development consents are usually organised by stage. A typical consent has sections like:
- conditions to satisfy before a construction certificate is issued;
- conditions for the period before work starts;
- conditions that apply during construction;
- conditions to clear before an occupation certificate;
- ongoing conditions for the life of the development.
Read the pre-CC section line by line. The certifier cannot issue the CC until each of those conditions is satisfied, and the CC must be consistent with the consent as a whole. Also skim the other sections, as some later conditions need early planning.
Common examples
Every council words its conditions differently, but these come up often on house, granny flat and extension consents:
- Design changes. The consent may require the plans to be amended, for example to lower a height, add a privacy screen or include a retaining wall. The CC plans must show these changes.
- Contributions. Local infrastructure contributions paid to council, with a receipt.
- Security deposits or bonds to cover any damage to footpaths, kerbs and other public assets.
- Stormwater design. Detailed drainage plans prepared by an engineer, sometimes including on-site detention.
- Driveway and footpath works. Separate approval from council for work on the footpath or nature strip.
- BASIX commitments marked on the drawings and specifications.
- Bushfire measures on bush fire prone land, showing how the required construction level will be met.
- Long service levy paid where it applies.
Who signs off what
Some conditions are satisfied by documents the certifier can check, such as amended plans or an engineer's design. Others need evidence from council or another authority, such as a receipt or a separate approval. Plan for both kinds.
A useful habit is to prepare a short written statement that lists each pre-CC condition and points to the evidence that satisfies it. Some councils ask for exactly this with a CC application, and it makes the certifier's review much faster.
When a condition cannot be met as written
Sometimes a condition does not work in practice. The site may not suit the required stormwater design, or a required change may clash with the structure. A certifier cannot waive or vary a condition. The usual path is an application to council to modify the consent, which takes time, so raise problems as early as possible.
Tips to keep things moving
- Start on council payments and approvals the week consent is issued.
- Brief your engineer and designer on the conditions straight away.
- Keep a simple table of each condition, who is responsible and its status.
- Check that amended plans still match your BASIX certificate.
- Bring your certifier in early. A quick review of the consent can spot conditions that need extra lead time.
Our guide to What a construction certificate is and why a DA isn't enough explains how the CC fits into the wider approval. CertifiBuild issues construction certificates for Class 1 and Class 10 work and can review your consent and plans through plan assessment. To start, request a quote.
Local help across NSW
CertifiBuild certifies Class 1 and Class 10 work in 39 council areas. Local rules on these council pages are a good place to start: Lithgow City Council, Cumberland City Council, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, Mosman Council, City of Parramatta, Northern Beaches Council.
Suburb pages with local planning notes: Marrangaroo, Merrylands West, Milperra, Mosman, Northmead, Palm Beach, Putney, Queens Park, Raby, Randwick. You can also browse every service area.
Sources
- MyHome Planner: the approval phase, NSW Planning Portal
- Post consent certificates, NSW Planning Portal