Know what you can build in NSW before you buy the site
NSW planning is a three-layer game: state SEPPs, council LEP + DCP, and the Codes SEPP fast-track pathways. We interpret all three for your specific site, and tell you whether the Stage 1 LMR cl 166 override, Stage 2 LMR catchments, TOD precinct uplifts or in-fill affordable bonus apply before you commit.
What you assume vs what NSW planning actually does
Three common mismatches between assumption and NSW reality — and how our tools cover them.
“You find an R2-zoned site and assume you can do a dual occupancy”
Reality: Pre-2024 you couldn't if the LEP prohibited it. Post-Housing SEPP cl 166 (1 Jul 2024) you can — state-wide override of LEP prohibitions in R2. The override only applies if you know it does. Our Property Snapshot and AI Planning Report flag this automatically.
“You read the LEP and see your project meets the FSR and HOB”
Reality: But the Standard Instrument LEP is only the start. You also need to clear the council DCP (which often has tighter local controls), the relevant SEPP (Codes SEPP for CDC, ADG for apartments, Housing SEPP for affordable bonuses), and any title-level 88B Instrument restrictions. The full picture takes 5+ separate searches.
“You think CDC is the fast track because every standard is met on paper”
Reality: Heritage items, BAL-FZ bushfire, foreshore lots, flood storage, certain coastal lots — all excluded from CDC entirely. Our Housing Code Check ($49) and LRHDC Check ($49) tell you whether the CDC pathway is genuinely available before you commit to plans.
NSW tools we recommend for nsw property developers
Each tool is positioned for your specific use case — the right one depends on how committed you are.
NSW Property Snapshot
Upload your NSW Spatial Viewer PDF; AI generates a 3-section plain-English summary of the planning controls. Great for shortlisting sites before deep analysis.
NSW AI Planning Report
5-section comprehensive analysis: controls, recent reforms (LMR Stage 1/2, TOD, in-fill bonus), development capacity, pathway analysis, recommended next steps.
Dual Occupancy / LRHDC Check
Code-by-code compliance check against the Codes SEPP Part 3B (LRHDC) for the CDC pathway, plus LEP/DCP for the DA pathway. Includes the Housing SEPP cl 166 LMR Stage 1 override analysis.
ADG Compliance Check
RFB compliance against the 9 Schedule 9 design principles + every ADG criterion in Parts 3 and 4 of the Apartment Design Guide. Required reading before lodging an apartment DA.
Ready to add planning intelligence to your work?
Cut the guesswork. Run a $19 snapshot on every site you shortlist; escalate to $39 / $49 / $99 reports for the ones that warrant deeper analysis. The cost of the entire suite is less than the legal review of one offer document.