Council Approval GroupResidential design & drafting, Wollongong 0437 804 079Call

Service areas · Wollongong NSW

Council Approval Group Service Areas

Council Approval Group is a residential building design and drafting business based in Wollongong. It prepares new home designs, building plans, DA plans and council plans for homeowners and property owners. This page sets out where Council Approval Group works and how your property's location affects the plans and approval pathway for your project.

Discuss Your Project Call 0437 804 079

Suite 1/1 Burelli St, Wollongong NSW 2500

On this page
  1. What Council Approval Group does
  2. Where Council Approval Group works
  3. Wollongong NSW
  4. Primary service area
  5. Council plans by location
  6. DA plans by location
  7. New home design and plans
  8. Residential building plans
  9. Development Applications
  10. Which council applies
  11. NSW planning pathways
  12. Property-specific considerations
  13. Types of residential projects
  14. How the process works
  15. Why local context matters
  16. Service area directory
  17. A Wollongong-based service
  18. Frequently asked questions
  19. Contact

About this page

What Does Council Approval Group Do?

Council Approval Group is a Wollongong business that designs and drafts residential buildings. It prepares new home plans, building plans, DA plans and council plans for homeowners and property owners.

The business is based at Suite 1/1 Burelli St, Wollongong NSW 2500. Its work covers the design and documentation stage of a residential project. That means turning a property owner's brief into drawings that respond to the site and to the planning controls that apply to the land.

This page is the central guide to where Council Approval Group works. It explains how a property's location decides which council and planning controls apply. It also shows how those controls affect the plans for a new home or other residential project. Each service area in the service area directory has its own planning context. You can call the business to confirm whether your property's location is covered.

Geographic coverage

Where Does Council Approval Group Provide Services?

Council Approval Group's confirmed service area is Wollongong, where the business is based. Other locations are added to this page only once service coverage has been confirmed.

A service area is different from an office location. Council Approval Group has one business address, in Wollongong. A location listed on this page is somewhere the business prepares residential plans, not somewhere it has an office.

This page is organised by hierarchy. Wollongong comes first as the business's home location and primary service area. Further service areas are grouped beneath it by local government area, because that is what decides which council and local planning controls apply to a property.

  1. Council Approval GroupSuite 1/1 Burelli St, Wollongong
  2. Wollongong NSWHome location and primary service area
  3. Wollongong LGAAdministered by Wollongong City Council
  4. Further confirmed areasListed by LGA once confirmed

Home location

Does Council Approval Group Prepare DA Plans in Wollongong?

Yes. Council Approval Group is based in Wollongong and prepares DA plans, council plans, new home plans and building plans for residential properties in the city.

Wollongong is where Council Approval Group is located and where it does its residential design and drafting work. Most residential property in the city falls within the Wollongong local government area, which is administered by Wollongong City Council. The area runs between the Illawarra escarpment and the coast, from the northern suburbs around Helensburgh to the southern suburbs near Lake Illawarra.

The planning controls that apply to Wollongong homes

A residential proposal in the Wollongong local government area is assessed against three layers of planning control:

  • Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 (the LEP). It sets the land-use zones, what development is permitted in each zone, and development standards. It also lists local heritage items.
  • Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 (the DCP). It gives more detailed design guidance. Chapter B1 covers residential development, and other chapters cover matters such as bushfire, stormwater and heritage.
  • State-wide NSW planning policies, such as the codes for exempt and complying development and the BASIX sustainability requirements.

Both the LEP and the DCP are amended over time. Council reviewed several DCP chapters during 2024 and 2025. Plans prepared by Council Approval Group need to respond to the version in force when the application is lodged.

Wollongong City Council is a separate organisation

Council Approval Group is a private design and drafting business. It is not Wollongong City Council, and it is not part of the council. Council's administration building is also on Burelli Street, at number 41. Development Applications for local residential development in Wollongong are generally assessed and decided by Wollongong City Council as the consent authority, not by Council Approval Group.

Talking to council before lodging

Wollongong City Council offers pre-lodgement meetings. A paid meeting gives early feedback on a proposed development, especially for complex proposals or where a design departs from standard controls. Council asks for a site plan, dimensioned floor plans and a site analysis plan for these meetings. It also states that pre-lodgement advice does not guarantee approval. Drawings of this kind are part of the design and drafting work Council Approval Group prepares.

Confirmed coverage

Council Approval Group's Primary Service Area

Each service area below has a confirmed council, a residential context and a note on planning matters. Only confirmed locations are listed.

Primary service area · Business location

Wollongong

Local government area
City of Wollongong
Council
Wollongong City Council
Local planning instruments
Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009; Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009, including Chapter B1 for residential development
Residential context
Coastal suburbs, escarpment foothill streets and established inner-city neighbourhoods. Lot sizes, slope and surrounding character vary considerably across the LGA.
Council Approval Group services
New home design and plans, building plans, DA plans, council plans, residential drafting and development application documentation
Planning matters to check
Depending on the property, these can include zoning, heritage listing, slope, bushfire-prone land, flood-affected land and coastal location. Each is confirmed for the individual lot, not assumed for the suburb.

Council plans

What Are Council Plans?

"Council plans" is an everyday phrase for the drawings and documents lodged with an application for a residential project. It is not one standard document. What is required depends on the approval pathway, the project and the authority receiving the application.

Council plans vary by location because each local government area applies its own Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, on top of the state-wide rules. Two similar homes in different council areas can face different setbacks, height limits, landscaping requirements or site-analysis expectations. Two lots in the same suburb can also differ if one is heritage-listed, flood-affected or bushfire-prone.

Council Approval Group prepares plans after identifying the controls that apply to the specific lot, so the drawings respond to the rules that will actually be used to assess them.

  1. LocationSuburb and street address
  2. CouncilSet by the local government area
  3. Planning controlsLEP, DCP and state policies
  4. PropertyZoning, size, slope, constraints
  5. Proposed developmentWhat the owner wants to build
  6. PlansPrepared by Council Approval Group
  7. ApplicationLodged to the relevant authority

Council Approval Group's roleSet or decided by an authority

DA plans

What Do DA Plans Need to Show in Wollongong?

DA plans are the drawings lodged with a Development Application. They need to show the consent authority enough to assess the proposal against the planning controls for that property.

A DA is only one possible pathway. Some residential work is exempt development and needs no planning approval. Other work may qualify as complying development. DA plans are relevant when a proposal needs development consent, for example because it cannot meet the complying development standards or the land is not eligible for that pathway.

For a Wollongong property, DA plans are assessed against the Wollongong LEP 2009, the Wollongong DCP 2009 and applicable state policies. Council publishes a lodgement checklist that sets out the documents it expects with a Development Application. For another council area, the same proposal would be assessed against that council's own instruments and checklist. That is why Council Approval Group confirms the property's council before preparing DA drawings.

Development Applications in NSW are lodged online through the NSW Planning Portal, which is run by the NSW Government. Council Approval Group does not own or operate the portal.

New home design

Can Council Approval Group Help With New Home Design and Plans?

Yes. Council Approval Group designs new homes and prepares new home plans for residential properties. Each design responds to the site, the owner's brief and the planning controls that apply to the land.

A new home design starts with the property rather than a standard floor plan. The size and shape of the lot, its orientation, slope and access, and any constraints recorded against the land all shape what can be built and where. The owner's requirements, such as the number of bedrooms, living areas, parking and outdoor space, are then worked into a layout that fits within those limits.

Location matters because the same brief can produce a different design in a different council area. Setback, height, floor-space and landscaping controls vary between local planning instruments. A new dwelling also needs to meet the NSW BASIX sustainability standards, which apply state-wide.

  1. PropertyLot, zoning, recorded constraints
  2. SiteOrientation, slope, access, neighbours
  3. Owner's briefRooms, spaces, budget, priorities
  4. New home designCouncil Approval Group
  5. Building plansCouncil Approval Group
  6. Planning controlsChecked against LEP, DCP, SEPPs
  7. Approval pathwayCDC or DA, as applicable

Building plans

What Do Residential Building Plans Include?

Residential building plans are the scaled drawings that describe a proposed building and its relationship to the site. Council Approval Group prepares building plans and drafting for residential projects.

The drawings a project needs depend on its scope and pathway. The drawing types below are commonly used in NSW residential applications. Wollongong City Council, for example, asks for a site plan, dimensioned floor plans and a site analysis plan for a pre-lodgement meeting. The exact set for your project is confirmed when you discuss it with Council Approval Group.

Site plan

Shows the building's position on the lot, boundaries, setbacks, access and existing structures.

Site analysis

Records the conditions of the site and its surroundings, such as orientation, slope, views and neighbouring buildings, that inform the design.

Floor plans

Dimensioned layouts of each level showing rooms, walls, openings and circulation.

Elevations and sections

Show the external appearance, heights, levels and how the building sits against the ground line.

Development Applications

Who Approves a Development Application?

A Development Application is determined by the relevant consent authority. For most local residential development, that is the council for the area where the property is located. Council Approval Group prepares plans and documentation for the application. It does not assess or decide it.

A Development Application is a formal request for development consent under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The consent authority assesses the proposal against the planning controls that apply to the land and any submissions received, and then grants consent, grants consent with conditions or refuses the application. Development consent is the outcome of that process. Preparing the application is a separate task.

  1. Proposed developmentThe owner's project
  2. Planning controlsLEP, DCP, state policies
  3. PlansCouncil Approval Group
  4. Supporting documentsPrepared or coordinated as needed
  5. Development ApplicationLodged via the NSW Planning Portal
  6. Consent authorityAssesses the proposal
  7. DecisionConsent, conditions or refusal

Some applications need reports from other specialists, such as surveyors, engineers or bushfire consultants. Which reports are needed depends on the property and the proposal.

Local council

Which Council Applies to My Property?

The council is set by the local government area your property is in. The suburb name alone is not always enough, because some suburbs and localities sit close to council boundaries.

Each property falls in one local government area (LGA). That LGA's council administers its Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, which set many of the controls for the land. Two free official tools help confirm this for a specific address:

  1. Property addressStreet and lot
  2. Local government areaSet by location
  3. CouncilAdministers local controls
  4. LEPZones and standards
  5. DCPDetailed design guidance
  6. Applicable controlsPlus state-wide policies

NSW planning pathways

Does Every Residential Project Require Council Approval?

No. In NSW, the approval pathway depends on the proposed work, the property and the planning controls that apply. Some work needs no planning approval, some can be approved as complying development, and some needs a Development Application.

No planning approval

Exempt development

Minor, low-impact work, such as some decks, sheds and carports, that needs no planning or building approval if it meets the standards in the state code and the land requirements.

Code-based approval

Complying Development Certificate

A combined planning and building approval for straightforward residential work that meets set standards, mainly under State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008. It is issued by a council or a registered certifier. Not every lot or project is eligible.

Merit assessment

Development Application

A formal application for development consent, lodged through the NSW Planning Portal and assessed by the consent authority against the LEP, DCP and state policies that apply.

After consent

Construction Certificate

Needed after development consent and before building work starts. It confirms the construction plans are consistent with the consent and meet building requirements. It is issued by the council or a registered certifier.

BASIX

BASIX is the NSW sustainability standard for residential buildings, now set out in State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022. A BASIX certificate is required for new homes, for alterations and additions to a residential building costing $50,000 or more, and for swimming pools of 40,000 litres or more. BASIX information is published on the NSW Planning Portal.

This is general information about the NSW planning system, current when reviewed in September 2026. Thresholds and codes change, so confirm the requirements for your property with the relevant council or certifier.

Property-specific

Why Doesn't Location Alone Decide the Approval Pathway?

The council area tells you which rules apply. The individual property decides how those rules affect a particular project. Two neighbouring lots can follow different pathways.

Council Approval Group checks the following matters for the specific lot rather than assuming them from the suburb. A constraint that applies to one property may not apply to the house next door.

Zoning and land use

The zone sets what types of residential development are permitted and which development standards apply.

Lot size and shape

Site area, width and depth affect setbacks, building footprint, parking and eligibility for some pathways.

Slope and topography

Sloping land affects building height, cut and fill, drainage and the drawings needed to show levels.

Easements and services

Easements, sewer lines and stormwater arrangements can limit where a building can be placed.

Heritage

Heritage items and conservation areas can bring extra controls and may rule out complying development.

Bushfire, flooding and coast

Where recorded against the land, these can affect design, materials, floor levels and required reports.

Environmental constraints

Vegetation, watercourses and other environmental matters can affect siting and the reports needed.

Existing structures

What is already on the land, and its approval history, shapes alterations, additions and demolition.

Proposed use and scope

The type and size of the proposed work is a key factor in which pathway is available.

Project types

How Do Planning Considerations Differ by Project Type?

Each type of residential project raises its own planning and documentation questions. New homes are a core part of Council Approval Group's work. For other project types, contact the business to confirm your project is within its current scope.

New homes

Relevant matters include site layout, setbacks, height, landscaping, BASIX and whether the lot is eligible for complying development or needs a DA.

Alterations and additions

The plans must show existing and proposed work clearly. Works of $50,000 or more trigger BASIX.

Home extensions

Relevant matters include the added floor area, boundary setbacks, overshadowing and privacy for neighbours.

Secondary dwellings

These are subject to state and local controls on size, siting and lot requirements. Eligibility for each pathway depends on the property.

Dual occupancies and duplexes

Relevant matters include whether the zone permits the development, minimum lot sizes, and the design of two dwellings on one lot.

Renovations

Internal work may be minor, while structural or external changes can bring in planning or certification requirements.

Process

How Do I Start Planning a Residential Project in Wollongong?

Start by contacting Council Approval Group with your property address and a description of what you want to build. The property and the project together decide the steps that follow.

The sequence below shows how a residential project commonly moves from idea to application. Not every project goes through every step. Council Approval Group confirms the steps for your project once it understands the property and the proposal.

  1. 1. EnquiryCall 0437 804 079 to discuss the property and the project
  2. 2. Property and planning reviewIdentify the council, zoning and constraints recorded against the lot
  3. 3. DesignDevelop a design that responds to the site, brief and controls
  4. 4. PlansPrepare the drawings the likely pathway requires
  5. 5. Supporting documentationAssemble BASIX and any specialist reports needed
  6. 6. ApplicationLodge a DA or CDC through the NSW Planning Portal
  7. 7. Assessment by the relevant authorityCouncil, consent authority or registered certifier
  8. 8. Next stageFor example, a Construction Certificate after development consent

Local context

Why Can Planning Requirements Differ Between Locations?

Every NSW local government area has its own Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. The same residential proposal can therefore face different local controls in different council areas.

State-wide rules, such as the complying development codes and BASIX, apply in the same way across NSW. Local controls are where council areas differ. Wollongong's LEP and DCP are not the same documents as those of neighbouring councils such as Shellharbour City Council or Kiama Municipal Council. Setbacks, height limits, minimum lot sizes, heritage schedules and design guidance can all differ.

That does not mean every rule is different. Many controls follow common NSW templates. But residential plans should be checked against the specific instruments of the council area in which the property is located. For that reason, each service area this page lists is described by its own council and planning instruments.

Directory

Council Approval Group Service Area Directory

This directory lists each confirmed service area with its council, primary service and local planning context.

Confirmed service areas, reviewed September 2026
LocationRelevant councilPrimary service intentRelevant servicesLocal planning context
Wollongong Wollongong City Council Council plans and DA plans for Wollongong residential projects New home design and plans, building plans, DA plans, council plans, residential drafting Assessed under Wollongong LEP 2009 and Wollongong DCP 2009 (Chapter B1, residential). The LGA runs between the escarpment and the coast, so slope, heritage, bushfire, flooding and coastal matters are checked lot by lot.

Is your property outside Wollongong? New locations are added to this directory only once service coverage is confirmed. Call Council Approval Group on 0437 804 079 to ask whether your project can be assisted.

Wollongong-based

Why Use a Wollongong-Based Design and Drafting Service?

Council Approval Group works in Wollongong from its office at Suite 1/1 Burelli St. It prepares residential plans under the same local planning instruments that apply to Wollongong homes.

A local base has practical value. The Wollongong LEP and DCP are the instruments Council Approval Group prepares plans against in its home area. Residential property across the city varies widely, from coastal lots to sloping land near the escarpment. The business is located in the same city where Wollongong projects will be built, which helps with preparation and communication.

Being local does not change how an application is assessed. Every Development Application is decided on its merits by the consent authority, and every CDC or Construction Certificate is issued under the applicable standards. Council Approval Group's role is to prepare clear, well-organised plans and documentation for that process.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Council Approval Group based?

Council Approval Group is based at Suite 1/1 Burelli St, Wollongong NSW 2500. You can reach the business on 0437 804 079.

Which areas does Council Approval Group service?

Wollongong is Council Approval Group's confirmed service area. Other locations are added to the service area directory only once coverage is confirmed. If your property is outside Wollongong, call 0437 804 079 to ask whether your project can be assisted.

Does Council Approval Group prepare DA plans in Wollongong?

Yes. Council Approval Group prepares DA plans and related drafting for residential projects in Wollongong. The Development Application is assessed and decided by the relevant consent authority. For most local residential development in Wollongong, that is Wollongong City Council.

Can Council Approval Group help with new home design and plans?

Yes. New home design and new home plans are part of Council Approval Group's residential design and drafting work. The design responds to the site, the owner's brief and the planning controls that apply to the land.

What are council plans?

"Council plans" is an everyday phrase for the drawings and documents lodged with an application for a residential project. It is not one standard document. What is needed depends on the approval pathway, the project and the requirements of the authority receiving the application.

Does every residential project require council approval?

No. In NSW, some minor work is exempt development. Some qualifies as complying development through a Complying Development Certificate. Other work needs a Development Application. The pathway depends on the property, the proposed work and the planning controls that apply.

What is a Development Application?

A Development Application (DA) is a formal application for development consent under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It is lodged through the NSW Planning Portal and assessed by the relevant consent authority, which decides whether to grant consent.

What is the difference between a DA and a CDC?

A DA is assessed on its merits against the planning controls that apply to the land. A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a code-based approval for straightforward, low-impact development that meets set standards. A CDC can be issued by a council or a registered certifier. Not every property or project is eligible for complying development.

Which council assesses my property?

The council is set by the local government area your property sits in. The NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer and a section 10.7 planning certificate identify the LGA, the zoning and the planning controls that apply to the land.

Can planning requirements differ between Wollongong and another NSW council area?

Yes. State-wide rules apply across NSW, but each local government area has its own Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. Controls such as setbacks, heights and site-specific requirements can differ between council areas.

Can Council Approval Group guarantee approval?

No. Council Approval Group prepares plans and documentation. The decision on a Development Application is made by the consent authority. A CDC or Construction Certificate is issued by a council or registered certifier.

Contact

Discuss Your Residential Project

To start, call Council Approval Group with your property address and a short description of what you want to build. The business can then talk through the council, planning controls and likely pathway that apply, and the plans your project will need.

Discuss Your Residential Project Call Council Approval Group
Council Approval Group
Suite 1/1 Burelli St
Wollongong NSW 2500
Phone: 0437 804 079
Call 0437 804 079 Enquire