A statement of environmental effects is required for ALL development applications, no matter how small. It is the cornerstone of any development application and should not overlooked as an afterthought.
A statement of environmental effects is required under the legislation for every single development application.
The report will describe the site and the proposed development in detail as well as providing a comprehensive review all of the planning instruments which apply to the site and the proposed development. Any property constraints and the potential impacts of your development on the natural and built environments is also included in the SEE. If the development results in any non-compliances with the development controls, these should be justified within this report too. The SEE will refer to other reports and documents submitted with the application and summarises of all relevant matters for Council to review.
The Statement of Environmental Effects must address several key points:
A well written Statement of Environmental Effects is used by Council to understand your proposal. The SEE will be similar in content to the assessment report prepared by Council’s Development Assessment Officer.
Below are three tips for ensuring your Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) is thorough and accurate:
The best chance of a speedy approval is to ensure all your plans and reports are up to the standard for lodgement and assessment by Council. The statement of environmental effects is often an after thought for most developments and the required level of detail is often missing. Town Planning Collective have experience working as town planners for Council and as such, know exactly what is and isn’t required for a SoEE.
You must be confident that all planning matters have been addressed within the SEE. This ensures that Council has a clear picture of the development in the documentation provided to them.
Having your Statement of Environmental Effects prepared by a qualified town planner is in your best interest. As professionals in this field they are familiar with the legislation and planning instruments applicable to the site and development.
Town Planning Collective have extensive experience in preparing statement of environmental effects for all types of development with experience in all Council’s within NSW. Our SEE’s enables your development to be assessed by council officers in a timely manner. This results in efficiencies for you, with no delays in the delivery of your development.
We offer a highly competitive rate for all our reports and assist our clients with all levels of statement of environmental effects. Contact us today to get us to assist with your reports by filling out the contact details below or emailing us at admin@theplanningcollective.com.au
Fill out the form below to get a quote for a statement of environmental effects or if you need assistance with your project.
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On average our statement of environmental effects and heritage impacts statements are delivered within two weeks of acceptance (or final plans). We pride ourselves on our fast delivery of expert technical reports for development applications. This fast turn around saves our clients time and money to get their DAs approved faster.
A Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) explains how proposed works may affect the heritage significance of a property or area. Learn when you need one and how to prepare an HIS that supports your development application in NSW.
We have been engaged for many development applications for change of use and other developments within the Queen Victoria Building. The site is a state heritage listed property that has a wonderful history. We have provided heritage impact statements for the fit out and change of use for stores within the building as any works within the historic building require development approval from Council.
Heritage impact statements can be expensive. We understand that this report can sometimes be the most expensive report for a development application. We go into detail of what goes into the report and how you can minimise your costs to obtain a HIS.
We have been engaged for many development applications for change of use and other developments within the Tramsheds complex at Forest Lodge. The site is a heritage listed property that has undergone substantial rejuvenation to turn a once dilapidated building into a thriving retail/food destination.
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The statement of environmental effects is the most important report for a development application with Council. It is the cornerstone of any good development application and provides details of the development and an assessment of the compliance of the proposal against the relevant legislation and development controls (LEP and DCP). A good statement of environmental effects can make the difference between an approval or a refusal and can streamline the timeframe of the process.
Where a development doesn’t comply with the LEP development standard (such as minimum lot size, height of building and Floor Space Ratio) a variation to the development standard can be sought through the inclusion of a clause 4.6 report. We provide details regarding the report and where a variation might be appropriate.
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a crime prevention strategy that focuses on the planning, design and structure of cities and neighbourhoods. We discuss the principles of CPTED that are required to be assessed in any Crime Risk Reports for development applications.
Review of Environmental Factors State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 allows schools, TAFE and Universities to obtain approval for developments without requiring Council Development Application approval. We explain the process and what types of development can be achieved without Council approval.
Change of use and fitouts for cafes, shops etc within heritage buildings or conservation areas require Council approval. Find out what is required with any development application to obtain your approval and start operating.
Town Planning Collective is a professional town planning and heritage consulting practice providing expert advice and approval support for development applications across Sydney and New South Wales. We specialise in navigating local planning controls, heritage requirements, and council approval processes for residential and small-scale developments.
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