SHELLHARBOUR CUTS DA PROCESSING TIME

Shellharbour City Council is pleased to announce a significant reduction in Development Application (DA) processing times, delivering faster results for our community.

Caption: NSW Government Planning Portal. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.

The average time to assess a DA in Shellharbour has dropped from 106 days to just 80 days – well below the NSW Government's expectation of 111 days. This achievement reflects Council’s dedication to improving efficiency and providing excellent service.

A DA is a formal request made to a council for permission to carry out certain types of building or development projects.

Mayor Chris Homer welcomed this positive outcome, highlighting its benefits for the community. “This improvement is a critical step towards addressing the housing challenges facing our community,” Mayor Homer said.

“Reducing assessment times means construction projects can get underway sooner, supporting jobs, housing supply, and local economic growth... we all need a place to call home,” Mayor Homer said.

To achieve this success, Council established an Accelerated Assessment Team dedicated on reviewing low-impact proposals, such as new houses and renovations. This focused approach has significantly contributed to reducing processing times.

Between 1 July 2024 and 28 February 2025, Council assessed 232 applications, representing a total development value of $123.6 million.

Shellharbour City Council remains committed to ongoing improvements and will continue to keep the community updated on progress.

To learn more about the Development Application process or to track the progress of your application, visit https://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-build.

For more information please contact:
Jessica Smith – Shellharbour City Council 0467 250 884 mediaenquiries@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au