Western Sydney

Town planner in Camden

Statements of Environmental Effects, development due diligence, duplex, granny flat, townhouse and subdivision DAs across the Camden local government area. Fixed-fee proposals, usually within one business day.

Local Environmental PlanCamden Local Environmental Plan 2010

Development Control PlanCamden Development Control Plan 2019

Release areasCamden Growth Centre Precincts DCP for Oran Park, Leppington North, Catherine Field and Lowes Creek Maryland

Planning in Camden

Camden is one of the fastest growing councils in Australia, and most DAs are new dwellings, secondary dwellings and small dual occupancies on growth area lots under the precinct plans and the Camden Growth Centre Precincts DCP.

Lot sizes in Oran Park and Gregory Hills are often below the LEP dual occupancy minimum, so eligibility has to be checked precinct by precinct.

The Nepean River and South Creek flood planning areas and scenic protection land around Cobbitty and Camden Park shape what is permissible on the older lots.

What we do for Camden sites

Statements of Environmental Effects for new houses, knock-down rebuilds, alterations, dual occupancies, secondary dwellings and townhouses, written to Camden Local Environmental Plan 2010 and Camden Development Control Plan 2019.
Development due diligence reports before you buy: zoning, permissibility, yield, constraints and the approval pathway.
Dual occupancy and duplex planning, including minimum lot size and frontage checks, CDC eligibility under the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code and Torrens subdivision advice.
Granny flat planning where the site does not fit the Housing Code and a DA is needed.
Townhouse and multi dwelling housing yield testing, DCP compliance and SEE reports.
Subdivision, Clause 4.6 requests, DA or CDC advice and responses to council requests.

Suburbs we cover in Camden

Camden
Narellan
Oran Park
Gregory Hills
Gledswood Hills
Harrington Park
Spring Farm
Elderslie
Mount Annan
Currans Hill
Leppington
Catherine Field
Cobbitty
Narellan Vale
Smeaton Grange

How a DA works in Camden

Development applications are lodged through the NSW Planning Portal and assessed by the council against the LEP, the DCP and the section 4.15 matters in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Where a proposal meets every standard in the Codes SEPP it may instead be approved as complying development by a private certifier, which is faster but has no room for merit assessment. We check both pathways before recommending one.

A complete application is the single biggest thing an applicant controls. Our Statements of Environmental Effects address the LEP and DCP in the order the assessing officer reads them, with the sources shown, so requests for information are the exception rather than the rule.

Frequently asked questions: Camden

Do I need a Statement of Environmental Effects for a DA in Camden?

Yes. Every development application lodged with Camden council through the NSW Planning Portal needs a Statement of Environmental Effects that addresses Camden Local Environmental Plan 2010 and Camden Development Control Plan 2019. Complying development certificates do not.

Can I build a duplex in Camden?

Dual occupancies are permissible with consent in most R2 and R3 zones, subject to the minimum lot size and frontage in Camden Local Environmental Plan 2010 and the DCP controls. Since 1 July 2024 the state-wide dual occupancy provisions also apply to most R2 land. A site check confirms whether your lot qualifies and whether CDC or DA is the pathway.

Which planning controls apply in Camden?

The zoning, lot size, height and floor space ratio come from Camden Local Environmental Plan 2010; setbacks, site coverage, landscaping, privacy, parking and stormwater come from Camden Development Control Plan 2019, and in the release areas from Camden Growth Centre Precincts DCP for Oran Park, Leppington North, Catherine Field and Lowes Creek Maryland. State policies such as the Codes SEPP and the Housing SEPP sit over the top.

Do you visit sites in Camden?

Most planning reports are desktop based, using the survey, drawings, aerial imagery and the Planning Portal. We inspect where access, slope, trees or neighbouring development make it worthwhile, and we work with local surveyors and engineers across Camden.

Instrument names are stated as current at the time of writing. Councils amend their LEPs and DCPs; we confirm the version in force on the date of each report.