Approvals & Documentation
Getting knocked back by council is the most expensive delay in residential building — it costs you months and thousands. Most rejections happen because the documentation was incomplete, the drawings were unclear, or someone didn’t check the rules properly. We prepare applications that are thorough, clear, and designed to get a yes. After 20 years of Canberra planning, we know exactly what the assessors are looking for.
Discuss Your Project
Approval-ready elevation documentation
What you get
Every approvals & documentation project includes comprehensive documentation and support.
- Development Application (DA) documentation
- Building Approval (BA) documentation
- Statement of Environmental Effects
- Shadow diagrams and overlooking analysis
- Landscape concept plans
- BASIX / energy compliance documentation
- Authority response management
- Consultant coordination (engineer, surveyor, arborist)
Why it matters
Fewer RFIs
Our documentation is thorough enough to reduce Requests for Further Information, which are the biggest cause of approval delays.
Local expertise
20+ years navigating Canberra and regional NSW planning rules. We know what the authorities expect.
One point of contact
You deal with us. We coordinate with the authority, consultants, and certifiers on your behalf.
Our approach
How we deliver approvals & documentation — step by step.
Pre-check compliance
Before lodgement, we verify every planning rule is addressed. No guesswork, no assumptions.
Prepare comprehensive documentation
Clear drawings, supporting reports, and written statements — everything the authority needs in one package.
Lodge and manage
We handle the lodgement process and respond to any authority queries promptly and thoroughly.
Coordinate consultants
Engineer, surveyor, energy assessor, arborist — we coordinate all required reports into a single submission.
Examples of our work
A selection of projects where approvals & documentation played a central role in the design outcome.
Detailed floor plan documentation
Site plan with 3D reference views
Common questions
Answers to the things clients ask most about approvals & documentation.
How long does the DA process take?
In the ACT, standard DAs are assessed within 30–45 working days. Complex applications can take longer. We prepare documentation to minimise delays.
What if my application gets rejected?
This is rare with our documentation quality, but if it happens, we review the grounds, address the issues, and resubmit or appeal as appropriate.
Do I need both a DA and a BA?
In most cases, yes. The DA addresses planning compliance, and the BA addresses building code compliance. We handle both.
Can you handle exempt or code-track approvals?
Yes. Some projects qualify for exempt development or code-track assessment, which can be faster. We assess the best pathway for your project.
Works well with
Most projects combine several services. These pair naturally with approvals & documentation.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project and we'll recommend the best path forward.