Blue Mountains City Council

Land Use Application Forms

Developing land in the Blue Mountains is a complex process. Before preparing an application you need to be fully aware of the limitations of the site and any regulations that may affect your proposal.

The Land Use Application Forms are available to download (see right).
Council has an extensive range of policies, plans, strategies and guides which may assist when considering alterations to your property.
A Statement of Environmental Effects is required to be lodged with all land use applications. You may use the following proforma for single residential development and ancillary structures only. Refer to Better Living DCP for full details when completing this form.
There are 3 main types of development applications. They are ‘local’ (which can include designated or advertised development), ‘integrated’ and ‘State significant’ development.
Local Development: The majority of applications in the Blue Mountains are local development. It only becomes a designated development if the proposed works relate to industrial, agricultural and waste management industries that have significant potential environmental impact. See Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, for a complete list of designated development. Advertised development applies if the proposed works relate to childcare centres, hospitals, churches, clubs, hotels and residential flat buildings within certain zones as defined in Council’s Local Environmental Plan. Development consents are usually valid for 2 years. A staged development consent can be applied for. For example, a large scale development may be completed in stages.
Integrated Development: Some development proposals, need other kinds of approvals (eg, licences, permits). A proposal is known as integrated development if you need development consent and one or more approvals. For example, a building that is subject to a heritage conservation order must also have a permit issued by the NSW Heritage Council. You still need to apply direct to the State authority for the issue of a licence/permit, however early advice of their approval is given in the integrated development consent. The following questions should help you to determine whether the proposed works require a licence/permit and if so, the Act under which those approvals are required.
State Significant Development: State significant development is declared by a state or regional environmental plan (SEPP or REPP). Applications for State Significant development are made direct to Planning NSW, and as such, this type of development is not included in the application form. The criteria for State significant development is listed in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and its Regulations.

Requirement to disclose political donations or gifts

The EP&A Act imposes disclosure obligations on applicants who make a relevant planning application to a council and required to disclose the following reportable political donations and gifts (if any), made by any person with a financial interest in the application within the period commencing 2 years before the application is made and ending when the application is determined:

(a) all reportable political donations made to any local councillor of that council,

(b) all gifts made to any local councillor or employee of that council.

A reportable political donation made to a local councillor includes a reference to a donation made at the time the person was a candidate for election to the council.
The Environmental Planning & Assessment Act imposes disclosure obligations on persons who make written submissions objecting to or supporting a relevant planning application.
A disclosure is required if the person making the submission, or an associate of that person, has made a reportable political donation or gift to a local councillor during the previous 2 years before the submission is made and ending when the application is determined. In addition, disclosures are required where a gifts is made to an employee of this council.
The requirements for disclosure of political donations or gifts do not apply to applications for a complying development certificate (or modification of such application) or applications or requests made by a public authority on its own behalf or applications or requests that are excluded by regulations.
Click here for further information.

Need help?

If you are unsure of the restrictions or any other limitations on the land, Council offers a preliminary advice service. This service involves a site meeting and a written report. A fee is charged.

Office Locations:
2 Civic Place, Katoomba
104 Macquarie Road, Springwood

Postal Address:
City of Blue Mountains
Locked Bag 1005
KATOOMBA NSW 2780

Telephone:
For local call cost from
Lower Mountains (02) 4723 5000
Upper Mountains (02) 4780 5000

Facsimile:
(02) 4780 5555

Email:
council@bmcc.nsw.gov.au