A new report by Sydney renovation firm Nouvelle revealed Wollondilly as the fastest council for Development Application (DA) approvals, averaging just 61 days.
In contrast, Georges River ranks as the slowest, with homeowners waiting an average of 289 days for approval.
The report highlighted significant disparities in approval times across Sydney, with Blacktown and Camden following Wollondilly in efficiency, while councils like North Sydney and Sutherland also show lengthy delays, ranging from 184 to 289 days.
The analysis highlighted how slow DA approvals can frustrate homeowners, leading to extended timelines, increased costs, and a more stressful renovation experience.
“Home renovations are stressful enough without the added burden of lengthy DA approvals,” said Mike Turner, managing director at Nouvelle.
Turner advised homeowners to involve renovation professionals early to manage timelines effectively and navigate council approval complexities.
“Handling a major renovation yourself... can quickly result in project delays, budget blowouts, and time-consuming back-and-forth with council,” the Nouvelle leader said.
Check out the full report on Sydney’s fastest and slowest councils for DA approvals here.
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