What is the difference between a DA and a CDC?
A Development Application (DA) is a planning approval assessed by your local council, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, or Shoalhaven, against that council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP). A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a faster alternative available for projects that comply with the NSW Government's State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) SEPP. CDC applications are assessed by a private certifier rather than council. Not all projects or sites qualify for the CDC pathway, and one of the first steps we take is confirming which route is appropriate for your specific project and block.
How long does council approval take?
Timelines vary depending on the approval pathway and the complexity of your project. CDC applications are typically processed within four to six weeks from lodgement. DA assessments by Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, or Shoalhaven councils typically take eight to twelve weeks for straightforward residential projects, though complex applications, heritage overlays, or projects requiring specialist referrals can take longer. Poorly prepared applications that attract Requests for Information add weeks or months to that timeline. Well-prepared documentation that addresses compliance requirements before lodgement is the most reliable way to keep the assessment on track.
What documents are required for a DA submission?
The documentation required depends on your project type, site, and council, but a standard DA submission typically includes architectural drawings, a Statement of Environmental Effects, a BASIX certificate, a survey plan, shadow diagrams, and a waste management plan. More complex projects involving coastal properties, sloping sites, bushfire-prone land, or heritage overlays will also require specialist reports such as geotechnical assessments, BAL assessments, flood studies, or heritage impact statements. We prepare and coordinate the full documentation package for your project and cross-check everything before it is lodged.
What is an RFI and how does it affect my approval timeline?
An RFI (Request for Information) is a formal request from the assessing council officer or certifier for additional information or amended documentation. RFIs pause the assessment clock until the information is provided, and delays in responding to them are one of the most common reasons DA approvals take significantly longer than they should. When CKS Projects manages your approval, all RFIs are handled directly by our team. We prepare the required response, update the documentation, and resubmit promptly so the assessment resumes without unnecessary delay.
Can CKS Projects manage the approval for a project where we already have an architect?
Yes. We regularly work alongside architects, designers, and other consultants who are responsible for the design documentation. Our role in those cases is to coordinate the compliance review of their documentation, manage the council submission and liaison process, and ensure that the complete package meets the specific requirements of the relevant Illawarra council before it is lodged. We add the builder's compliance and constructability perspective to documentation that has already been prepared, rather than replacing the design team that produced it.
Do you manage council approvals across Wollongong and the Illawarra?
Yes. CKS Projects manages DA and CDC applications across the Illawarra and South Coast, including Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Thirroul, Corrimal, Bulli, Huskisson, and surrounding areas. We have specific working knowledge of Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour City Council, Kiama Municipal Council, and Shoalhaven City Council assessment processes, officer expectations, and local planning control interpretations. That knowledge directly shapes how we prepare, structure, and present your documentation.
