Landscape plans for your DA.

What council may ask for

Each council publishes its own DA lodgement requirements, and its development control plan (DCP) sets many of the landscape controls. Depending on the proposal, a landscape plan may be requested at lodgement, as part of a request for more information, or as a condition to address before a construction certificate.

Where landscape documentation is needed, councils commonly look at matters such as landscaped and deep soil areas, tree retention and canopy, planting and how the landscape relates to the architectural plans. The exact controls vary by council and site. See the NSW planning approval pathways and check your council’s current requirements.

What we prepare

Landscape documentation drawn for its intended submission: plans that respond to the relevant controls, are coordinated with the current architectural set and are clear enough to carry through to construction.

We can also help earlier. Bringing landscape requirements in at concept stage, before the design is locked, can prevent avoidable revisions later. If council has already asked for more information, send the actual request and we’ll review what the landscape response needs to cover.

Depending on the agreed scope, the plan can explain the proposed landscape through:

• The relationship between the site boundary, building footprint and outdoor spaces.
• Existing trees and proposed planting, with the information needed to understand the landscape layout.
• Landscaped areas, paths and surface treatments relevant to the proposal.
• Notes and drawing revisions that keep the landscape set aligned with the current architectural plans.

This is a scope guide, not a universal council checklist. A separate arborist, drainage or other specialist report may be needed; a landscape drawing does not replace those reports.

What to send before we start

Send the site address and council, a short project brief, your latest architectural plans and any available survey. Include existing landscape drawings, relevant council conditions or correspondence, and your intended submission date.

Make the drawing revision clear. A landscape plan prepared against an outdated building footprint can create a coordination problem when the application is reviewed. Tell us which consultant is maintaining the current design set.

The landscape enquiry checklist explains how to prepare the files. The NSW pre-lodgement guide explains why site information and early preparation matter. If a plan is missing, send what you have and explain what is still being prepared.

Already received a council request?

Share the full request for information, the submitted plans and any subsequent revisions. Highlight the landscape items and the response deadline. We can discuss what needs a drawing change, clarification or coordination with another consultant.

Keep the response tied to the actual request rather than making unrelated changes across the set. Council decides whether the response is sufficient and whether the development is approved.

Fees, timing and the approval pathway

Documentation scope depends on the site, proposal, available information and the landscape requirements being addressed. Changes to the architectural design or additional council requests can also affect the work. Send your plans so we can discuss scope, fees and documentation timing for your project.

A DA is different from a complying development certificate (CDC). The correct pathway should be confirmed for the proposal and land. Completing the landscape documentation is one part of the application; it does not guarantee approval or a council assessment timeframe.

Common questions