Menu
Expert quality SoEE reports for development Applications
Objection letters on behalf of neighbours for Council Development applications
Part V approvals for educational establishments (schools, TAFE and University)
Town Planning Collective is a boutique town planning consultancy that was formed with the goal of providing expert town planning and heritage reports for the every day client.
The Inner West of Sydney is one of the most diverse and dynamic areas in the city, known for its rich heritage character, vibrant communities, and mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, heritage conservation, and urban design, the Inner West Council applies some of the most detailed planning controls in New South Wales. While this ensures the area retains its unique identity, it also means that development proposals—whether for a new dwelling, renovation, subdivision, or commercial project—often require careful navigation of complex rules and guidelines.
Securing planning approval in the Inner West can be challenging. Strict heritage overlays, character controls, environmental considerations, and height and density restrictions all play a major role in shaping what can and cannot be approved. Many applicants find that proposals are delayed, refused, or heavily conditioned due to issues such as non-compliance with the Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Development Control Plans (DCPs), or community objections. Without a clear understanding of Council expectations and processes, it can be difficult to progress even relatively modest applications, which often results in additional time, cost, and frustration.
This is where the expertise of an experienced town planner becomes invaluable. A planner who understands the Inner West Council’s requirements can help prepare development applications that anticipate potential issues, provide strong justification for variations, and effectively address Council’s planning objectives. From pre-lodgement advice and feasibility assessments to managing the DA process and negotiating with Council, an experienced planner can streamline the journey, reduce risks, and maximise the chances of approval. By combining technical knowledge with local insight, we help you turn complex planning requirements into practical, achievable outcomes.
We assist our clients in a variety of different ways in both town planning and heritage consulting. Below are an example of our four key areas of services.
The corner stone of any development application! The statement of environmental effects of SoEE is a required document under the EP&A Act and provides an account for what the project entails and if the development complies with the relevant standards and controls.
Lodging development applications is one of our primary tasks for clients. The DA Lodgement is complex and different for every Council so most of our clients engage us to lodge the application on their behalf to their Council.
Neighbour development objection letters are one of our most frequent enquiries. Our principal planning has an extensive experience in objection letters and can assist you with mitigating your concerns regarding the development application.
Heritage impact Statements are required for development applications where you are proposing changes to heritage listed items or buildings within a heritage conservation area. We provide experts services to assist our clients with their heritage advice and reports.
Experienced consultant town planners can help with your development
Bringing an experienced town planner onboard can help you save money by avoiding unnecessary additional information requests or additional reports.
Engaging a town planner to prepare your statement of environmental effect cuts down on the approval timeframe, ensuring all relevant controls and legislations are addressed upfront!
Experienced town planners can project manage the development process. Consulting with relevant consultants to ensure your project is delivered and approved quickly.
Town planners with Council experience are valuable in the development process. Council development officers know the process and understand what needs to be done to gain approval.
Town planners help remove the stress out of a development application approval by avoiding additional information or just handling the whole Council process for you!
We have extensive experience in town planningfor NSW Councils and can assist you with any of your development application issues.
We pride ourselves in providing competitive and comprehensive quotes that provide expert reports for a competitive price.
We know time is money so we always try to deliver our reports in a fast turn around. We offer service agreements for our regular clients for piece of mind!
Just have a chat with our principal planner and you will see that we do this not just because it is our job, but because it is our passion!
The inner west is experiencing a development boom and the boom continues despite the interest rate rise. Savy property developers are maximising on their developments while there is a lull in sales so that once the sale prices rise again they will be on the front foot. Below is an example of some of the development types we assist with for their approvals!
Our top enquiry is in relation to a dwelling house and how to push the envelope on the development potential. We have helped many of our clients get the home of their dreams despite height limits and floor space ratio restrictions.
Every other general enquiry we receive is in regard to whether a Dual occupancy is permissible for their site. The NSW Government recently released changes to the dual occupancy standards which now permit dual occupancies in most residential zones.
Why build 2 houses when you could build 4! Multi dwelling housing, also known as terrace housing or town houses, allows you to build multiple dwellings on the one lot and then subdivide through strata subdivision.
Residential flat buildings or "unit blocks" are becoming more common place as housing diversity is encouraged within NSW. The buildings are governed by design guidelines and legislation and need a expert town planner to assist with the approval.
Change of use for a restaurant/cafe or a takeaway food venue is a common Council development application we assist with. whether it is a new trendy cafe, a new restaurant or a Boutique Beer Bar, we can help get your approval!
Subdivision has become an easy access to money for many first time developers who wish to maximise on their return while the prices are still high! Many of our clients are taking advantage of generous minimum lot sizes and subdividing their properties into two or more lots.
Shop top housing is a popular development type for developments on the fringe of the zones and for other sites that want to take advantage of their development standards.
Commercial or industrial buildings are specific buildings to their business or industrial zonings. These types of developments require expertise from an experienced town planner to assist with the approval.
Fitness studios/gyms or other types of recreational facilities are as popular as ever! We have assisted many clients with their DA approval for change of use for their fitness industry business.
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.
Sydney NSW
Greater Sydney
Regional New South Wales
Copyright 2026 Town Planning Collective