Industry Glossary
Demystifying town planning, development approval, and social impact assessment terminology.
Planning processes often involve technical language and regulatory references that can be difficult to navigate. Our glossary is designed to provide clear, straightforward definitions of commonly used terms in development approval, town planning, and social impact assessment.
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Development Application (DA)
A formal request for consent to carry out a development, submitted to the local Council or relevant consent authority.
Development Approval
The official consent granted by a planning authority to proceed with a proposed development, subject to conditions.
Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE or SoEE)
A report submitted with a DA explaining the environmental and planning impacts of the proposal and how they are managed.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A comprehensive document required for designated or high-impact developments that assesses environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Planning Proposal
A request to change local planning controls (usually an LEP) to allow a specific form of development.
Local Environmental Plan (LEP)
A statutory document that guides land use and development within a local government area, setting out zoning and development standards.
Development Control Plan (DCP)
A non-statutory plan that supports the LEP by providing detailed planning and design guidelines.
Section 4.55 Modification
A request to amend an existing development consent, submitted under Section 4.55 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW).
Section 8.2 Review
An internal review by a consent authority of its previous decision on a DA, allowing the applicant to seek reconsideration.
Clause 4.6 Variation
A request to vary development standards in an LEP, typically where strict compliance is unreasonable or unnecessary.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
An evidence-based analysis evaluating the potential social impacts of a development on individuals, groups, and communities.
Baseline Social Profile
A snapshot of the existing social and demographic characteristics of a community, forming the foundation of an SIA.
Exempt Development
Minor developments that do not require approval or a DA, provided they meet specified criteria under State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs).
Complying Development (CDC)
A fast-tracked approval process for straightforward developments that meet pre-set criteria in planning legislation.
Gateway Determination
A decision made by the Department of Planning allowing a Planning Proposal to proceed to public exhibition and further assessment.
SEARs (Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements)
A list of environmental and technical issues that must be addressed in an EIS for State Significant Development or Infrastructure.
Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
A document used by public authorities to assess environmental impacts under Part 5 of the EP&A Act (where an EIS is not required).
Operational Plan of Management (OPM)
A document detailing how a site or development will be managed to ensure ongoing compliance with conditions of consent.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
A planning and design approach aimed at reducing crime and increasing community safety through the built environment.
GIPA (Government Information Public Access) Request
A formal request for access to government-held information, often used to obtain historical Council records.
Building Information Certificate (BIC)
A certificate issued by Council confirming that an existing building is lawful or can remain as built—often used to regularise unauthorised works.
Complying Development Certificate (CDC)
A fast-track approval for straightforward development that meets specific planning and building controls, combining planning and construction approval into one.
Preliminary Planning Review
An early-stage review assessing a site’s planning constraints and opportunities before lodging a formal development application.
State Significant Development (SSD)
Major developments considered to have state-level importance due to their size, nature, or impact—assessed under Part 4 of the EP&A Act and subject to SEARs.