There are three places to look. The NSW Planning Portal’s Application Tracker covers applications across the state. Your council’s own DA tracker often holds older records and the full documents. And Lodgd has a page for every council, with its latest applications and how long it takes to decide them.
1. The NSW Planning Portal
Applications in NSW are lodged through the NSW Planning Portal, and its Application Tracker lets anyone search them: by council, or by address, then narrowed by type or status. It shows where each application is up to.
2. Your council’s DA tracker
Most councils run their own tracker on their website, usually called “DA tracker” or “track an application”. It is often the only place for applications lodged before the Portal, and many councils list the applications on exhibition there.
3. Lodgd’s page for your council
Each council’s page on Lodgd shows its latest applications, the planning proposals that would change its zoning, and how long it takes to decide a development application against the rest of NSW. Find your council →
What to look for in an application
- The type. A development application (DA) is assessed by the council on its merits. A complying development certificate (CDC) is a check against fixed standards, and can be issued by a private certifier. A modification changes something already approved.
- The status. Lodged, on exhibition, under assessment, or determined. While a DA is on exhibition you can usually make a submission.
- The address and lot. Search by the street as well as the number: a corner site or a big project can be lodged under a neighbouring number or a lot and plan number.
40,924 development applications were decided in NSW in the last twelve months. Here is how long they take, council by council.