DA Approval in Sydney

Sydney is Australia's largest and most competitive property market, with development activity spanning from high-density towers in the CBD and inner ring to medium-density infill across Western Sydney and the Upper North Shore. Navigating this market means dealing with multiple council jurisdictions -- each with their own Development Control Plans, Local Environmental Plans, and heritage overlays -- under the umbrella of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. For developers, the regulatory complexity alone can stall projects for months before a shovel hits the ground.

The Greater Sydney region is experiencing sustained demand for residential and mixed-use development, driven by population growth, infrastructure investment (Sydney Metro, WestConnex, Western Sydney Airport), and state planning reforms encouraging higher density around transport nodes. Inner West and Western Sydney corridors are seeing particular activity, with councils like Cumberland City and City of Parramatta processing record numbers of development applications. Competition for sites is fierce, construction costs continue to escalate, and program delays are common -- making experienced client-side project management essential for protecting investment returns.

Upscale has delivered projects across Greater Sydney for over a decade, working with private developers, institutional clients, and government agencies. Our hands-on experience with Sydney's planning frameworks, consultant networks, and construction market gives clients a practical advantage -- whether they're acquiring a site in Surry Hills, managing a DA through Inner West Council, or superintending construction on a complex commercial fitout in Macquarie Park.