Residents will no longer be notified about some developments proposed near their property under new NSW Government requirements.
From 1 September 2026, the NSW Government's new Community Participation Plan will change how development applications (DAs) are exhibited and notified across New South Wales.
The Plan replaces Council's existing notification requirements and sets new rules for how planning proposals, development applications and other planning matters are exhibited and notified.
Will I still receive DA notifications?
Under the new rules, Council will no longer send notification letters for a range of up to two-storey developments listed in the NSW Government's Community Participation Plan, including:
- New houses
- Alterations and additions to existing houses
- Dual occupancies
- Attached dwellings, including up to five dwellings
- Secondary dwellings
- Other specified types of development
The changes also apply to modifications of previous approvals for these types of development.
How can I stay informed?
It is important to understand that the absence of a notification does not necessarily mean that no development application has been lodged nearby.
Development applications received by Council will continue to be publicly available through Council’s DA tracker.
Residents may also wish to use third-party services such as Planning Alerts to receive notifications about applications lodged in their local area.
Further information
The NSW Government's Community Participation Plan is available on the NSW Planning website.
While these changes represent a significant shift from North Sydney Council's previous notification practices, they are being implemented by the NSW Government and will apply consistently across all councils in New South Wales.
Council encourages residents to familiarise themselves with the new arrangements and make use of the available online tools to stay informed about development activity in their area.
Council regrets any reduction in notification services or inconvenience resulting from these changes.