Western Sydney

Town planner in Blacktown

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

Local Environmental PlanBlacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015

Development Control PlanBlacktown Development Control Plan 2015

Release areasBlacktown City Council Growth Centre Precincts DCP for Marsden Park, Schofields, Riverstone, Box Hill and Colebee

Planning in Blacktown

Blacktown is one of the busiest DA councils in the state and one of the most active for dual occupancies and secondary dwellings on older 550 to 700 square metre lots.

The North West Growth Area precincts (Marsden Park, Schofields, Riverstone, Box Hill) are assessed under the precinct plans and the Growth Centre DCP, with different lot size and setback controls to the established suburbs.

Flood planning along Eastern Creek, Bells Creek and South Creek and the Marsden Park and Riverstone flood studies affect a large share of sites.

What we do for Blacktown sites

Statements of Environmental Effects for new houses, knock-down rebuilds, alterations, dual occupancies, secondary dwellings and townhouses, written to Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015 and Blacktown Development Control Plan 2015.
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 Blacktown

Blacktown
Seven Hills
Quakers Hill
Kellyville Ridge
The Ponds
Schofields
Marsden Park
Riverstone
Rooty Hill
Mount Druitt
Doonside
Glenwood
Stanhope Gardens
Kings Langley
Lalor Park

How a DA works in Blacktown

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: Blacktown

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

Yes. Every development application lodged with Blacktown council through the NSW Planning Portal needs a Statement of Environmental Effects that addresses Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015 and Blacktown Development Control Plan 2015. Complying development certificates do not.

Can I build a duplex in Blacktown?

Dual occupancies are permissible with consent in most R2 and R3 zones, subject to the minimum lot size and frontage in Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015 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 Blacktown?

The zoning, lot size, height and floor space ratio come from Blacktown Local Environmental Plan 2015; setbacks, site coverage, landscaping, privacy, parking and stormwater come from Blacktown Development Control Plan 2015, and in the release areas from Blacktown City Council Growth Centre Precincts DCP for Marsden Park, Schofields, Riverstone, Box Hill and Colebee. State policies such as the Codes SEPP and the Housing SEPP sit over the top.

Do you visit sites in Blacktown?

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 Blacktown.

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.