Essential Consultants for Your Development Application.

Navigating the intricate process of a development application (DA) can be a daunting task. Whether you are a property developer, homeowner, or involved in any construction project, having the right team of consultants is crucial to ensure a successful outcome. Among the key players, private town planners and development assessors hold vital roles in shaping the trajectory of your project. Below we'll explore the essential consultants you'll need for your development application and delve into their roles and responsibilities.

The following list are professionals that may be on your development application consulting team:

• Acoustic Engineer

• Architect / Building Designer / Draftsperson

• Building Certifier

• Bushfire Consultant

• Civil Engineer

• Ecologist

• Geotechnical Consultant

• Heritage Consultant

• Hydraulic Engineer

• Surveyor

• Town Planner

• Traffic Engineer

Acoustic Engineer

Required: For projects that are sensitive uses (e.g. retirement village) near noise generating locations (e.g. a quarry) and projects that are noise generating (e.g. a night club) near sensitive uses (e.g. a house).

An acoustic engineer, also known as a noise and vibration consultant, plays a crucial role in the development application (DA) process by assessing and managing noise and vibration-related issues associated with a development project. Their expertise is essential to ensure that the project complies with noise regulations, minimises environmental impact, and creates a comfortable living or working environment.

Architect, Building Designer or Draftsperson

Required: For all projects that need proposal plans such as a Material Change of Use or Building Work application.  

An architect, building designer or draftsperson, will generally be your first point of contact prior to your town planner. To undertake most developments, you will require a proposal plan and depending on the scale and qualification level desired you will utilise one of these consultants. Each consultant should have a general awareness of planning permit requirements and contact your town planner for further advice where required.  

Building Certifier (Private)

Required: Rarely required on the development application consultant team, however special mention here as most Material Change of Use and Building Work DA’s will then move to Building Approval stage requiring certification (a separate process where you may need to lodge a separate application with Council).

 A private building certifier is a professional responsible for ensuring that construction and building projects comply with relevant building codes, regulations, and safety standards. They play a critical role in the construction and development process by offering certification services, inspections, and they grant approvals for construction projects, including issuing building permits, occupancy certificates, and compliance certificates.

Bushfire Consultant

Required: Where a project is affected by a notable bushfire hazard overlay and the planning scheme requests specialist advice and assessment.   

A bushfire consultant, also known as a bushfire assessment consultant or bushfire risk assessor, plays a vital role in development applications in areas prone to bushfires. Their primary focus is to assess and manage the risk of bushfires to ensure that proposed developments are safe and compliant with local regulations. Specifically, they will create bushfire management plans and prepare risk assessments.

Civil Engineers

Required: Often required for an Operational Works application or where extensive retaining cut, or/and fill is proposed.

Civil engineers play a crucial role in the development application (DA) process by providing expertise in various aspects of site planning, design, and infrastructure development. Their contributions are essential to ensuring that a development project complies with regulations, is safe, and functions efficiently.

Ecologist

Required: Often required for any development that requires native vegetation removal on land impacted by a biodiversity or environmental overlay.  

Ecologists play a role in the development application (DA) process by assessing the environmental impact of proposed developments and helping design sustainable projects that minimise harm to ecosystems and biodiversity. They will prepare an environmental impact assessment, flora and fauna surveys and create vegetation management plans.

Geotechnical Consultant

Required: Where earthworks are required on sloping land, often indicated by a land stability hazard overlay in the planning scheme.  

A geotechnical consultant’s role in the development application (DA) process by assessing the geological and geotechnical conditions of a site to ensure safe and stable construction. Their expertise is vital in identifying potential risks and providing recommendations for the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure.

Heritage Consultant

Required: Where a project proposal affects historically significant buildings, sites, or cultural heritage, noted by an overlay in the planning scheme.  

A heritage consultant, also known as a heritage advisor or heritage specialist’s primary focus is to assess and manage the impact of the development on heritage assets and ensure compliance with heritage conservation regulations. They will prepare a Heritage Impact Assessment and can provide advice as required.

Hydraulic Engineer

Required: Where flooding is present on-site and the local Planning scheme calls for specialised advice and assessment.

A hydraulic engineer primarily focuses on water-related aspects of a construction or land development project. Their expertise is essential for ensuring proper drainage, water supply, and stormwater management, all of which are critical for the success and sustainability of a development.

Surveyors

Required: Recommended for all subdivision and boundary realignment applications. May also be requested by your architect/building designer/draftsperson.

Surveyors are professionals who play a crucial role in various fields, primarily focused on measuring, mapping, and assessing land, structures, and natural features. Their work involves using specialized equipment and techniques to gather precise data, which is essential for various purposes, including construction, land development, property boundary determination, and geographic information systems (GIS). Here's a breakdown of what surveyors do:

• Property Boundaries: Surveyors determine property boundaries, which is essential for property purchases, land development, and resolving property disputes.

• Topographic Surveys: They create topographic maps that depict the contours and features of the land's surface, aiding in site planning and engineering.

• Subdivision Surveys: Surveyors divide large tracts of land into smaller parcels, ensuring that the resulting parcels comply with local zoning regulations.

• Construction Layout: Surveyors provide precise measurements and layout points for construction projects, ensuring that buildings and infrastructure are built in the correct locations.

• Utility Location: Surveyors identify and map underground utilities, reducing the risk of damage during excavation.

• Title Surveys: Surveyors prepare surveys that meet legal requirements, which are used in real estate transactions and property boundary disputes.

• Easement Surveys: They determine the location and extent of easements, which grant specific rights to property owners or utility companies.

Town Planners (Private)

Required: For all development applications that require a professional assessment and documentation.

A private town planners’ primary role is to understand your project's goals, assess its feasibility against the relevant planning legislation, and lodge your development application through the planning and regulatory processes.

Traffic Engineer

Required: For projects that require a considered approach to traffic and pedestrian management on site or on a public roadway.    

A traffic engineer plays a critical role in the development application (DA) process by focusing on the planning and design of transportation systems within a development project. Their expertise ensures that the project's transportation infrastructure functions safely and efficiently while minimising traffic-related issues.