CDC or DA: What does it mean?

Building your dream home in the Illawarra is an exciting journey and navigating the approvals process is a key step in making your dream home a reality. At Murphy Group Construction, we’ve guided many clients through the approvals process, and we often get asked what the difference is between CDC or DA? So, we have put together this article to help explain the process and the different options. 

Having your project approved can take one of two paths: A Development Application (DA) or A Complying Development Certificate (CDC). Here’s a breakdown of both options to help make the process clearer.

Development Application (DA)

A Development Application is the formal process used to seek approval from your local council for your proposed building project. Here’s a brief outline of the process:

1. Submission: You’ll need to submit detailed plans and documents to your local council. These plans should include architectural drawings, site plans, and any other relevant information that shows how your project complies with local zoning laws and regulations.
2. Request for information: The council may, throughout this process request further information or documents to ensure that your development will meet the planning requirements.
3. Assessment: The council will conduct a thorough assessment of your plans. This includes checking for compliance with environmental impact, adherence to local planning regulations and building requirements. Amongst other things.
4. Public Notification: In most cases, your application will be subject to public notification. This means that nearby residents will be informed of your proposed project and given a chance to raise any concerns or objections they may have with your plans.
5. Approval or Rejection: After assessment and public notification (if applicable), the council will decide whether to approve or reject your application. If approved, you’ll receive a Development Consent, allowing you to proceed with your project. If rejected, you may be able to revise your plans and resubmit.
6. Post Development Consent: once you have received your Development Consent from council you will then need to engage a private certifier for your project. They may need to obtain further information before they can issue you with Construction Certificate (CC). This Construction Certificate is the final approval prior to commencing works on site. 

Complying Development Certificate (CDC)

The Complying Development Certificate (CDC) offers a faster, more streamlined approval pathway for certain types of developments. Here’s a brief outline of the process:

1. Eligibility: The CDC process is available for projects that meet predefined standards and requirements and was implemented as a means of streamlining and simplify the approval process to help increase the supply of homes. Common examples include certain residential developments, extensions, and minor alterations.
2. Submission: You’ll submit your plans and relevant documents to a Certifying Authority (Private Certifier). This private certifier will assess your project against the predefined criteria.
3. Assessment: The Certifying Authority will review your plans to ensure that your project fits within the criteria. This process is typically quicker than a Development Application as your project should fall within the set criteria of the local planning authority and as such won’t need to be highly scrutinised or put out for public input.
4. Approval: If your project meets all the criteria, the Certifying Authority will issue a Complying Development Certificate, allowing you to start construction without needing additional council approval.

What to Expect?

• For a DA: Be prepared for a detailed and sometimes lengthy process involving council reviews and potential public input. If the council requests additional information or revisions, it may cause delays, so this is something to be prepared for. However, if your project is more involved it is the best way to proceed. 

• For a CDC: The process will be more straightforward if your project meets the criteria for compliance. Ensure that your plans align with the predefined standards to take advantage of the faster approval timeline. Note that projects with complex designs or those that do not meet the standards may need to go through the DA process.

If your project meets the criteria to be eligible for the CDC process, it is much simpler and easier to navigate, so we would suggest going down this path if possible. However, both processes have a purpose.



If All This Seems a Bit Too Much?

Don’t worry. If you choose to get your own plans drawn up, your designer or architect can guide you through the approvals process and provide clear advice on the best course for your project.



If you decide to work with Murphy Group Construction to design and build your dream home, we can handle the entire approval process for you.