Wollondilly Shire is the fastest council in the Greater Sydney region to greenlight development application approvals.

That’s according to a new report from renovation firm Nouvelle that analyses 2023-24 data from the NSW Planning Department.

During the period, Wollondilly – a local government area located on the southwest fringe of the Greater Sydney region – granted DA approval to homeowners within an average of 61 days.

Blacktown – which has shown stable performance over the past three years – is second fastest with a slight increase in total days (78) in 2023-24 compared to previous years. This is despite council handling the highest number of DA approvals during the period, processing 888 lodged and 909 assessed applications.

In third place, Camden which – with an average of 81 days – recorded an improvement in DA wait times in 2023-24, although the timeframe has not returned to the levels seen in 2021-22 (53 days).

On the other end of the scale, with an average 289-day wait, Georges River – an LGA located south of the Sydney CBD – rates as the slowest council to rubberstamp DA approvals during the period.

Second slowest – North Sydney, averaging 266 days for DA approval; third slowest – Sutherland, averaging 258 days for approval.

“If DA approval is required for a project that includes an addition, demolition or a major change to the floor plan, [homeowners] should allow longer – up to nine-and-a-half months’ more – if they live in an area such as North Sydney or Georges River,” Nouvelle managing director Mike Turner said.

The report also examines the various circumstances that can affect DA approval times – including the number of pending applications and differing approval processes between councils.

As the report’s authors note, high approval rates make councils more adept at processing applications swiftly. “Staff may become more experienced and therefore reduce errors and the need for resubmissions.”

As well, 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”.

To handle larger volumes of applications, “councils may invest in technology solutions like online application systems, automated tracking, and digital approvals to speed up their processes”.

Home renovations are stressful enough without the added burden of lengthy DA approvals, Mr Turner said. “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.”

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