Town Planning - NSW South Coast

Planning Approval, made simple

Clear Consultants helps homeowners, builders, and small business owners navigate the NSW planning system – from Development Applications to resolving Council issues. Based on the South Coast, working across all of NSW.

01.

Development Application (DA)

If your project needs Council approval, Kate will prepare and manage the application from start to finish. That includes reports, plans, and coordinating any specialist input required. She deals with Council on your behalf and keeps things moving.

Home Owners
Builders
Developers

02.

Complying Development (CDC)

Some projects can be approved through a faster private certification pathway instead of going through Council. Kate will work out whether yours qualifies – and if it does, she’ll manage the process to get you approved quickly.

Fast-Track Your Approval

03.

Building Information Certificates (BIC)

If there are existing structures on a property that were built without approval, a Building Information Certificate is the way to regularise them. Kate helps clients address Council unauthorised works or Council concerns about an existing structure.

04.

Planning Advice

Before spending money on plans or making any commitments, it’s worth knowing what the rules actually allow on your property. Kate provides clear, upfront advice so you know what’s realistic before you start.

05.

Council Issue Resolution

Received a Council notice, stop work order, or compliance issue? Kate helps clients respond clearly, work through the process, and get to a practical outcome.

! Urgent Issue?
Contact Kate directly for priority support.

Who We Work With

We work with a wide range of people, most clients fall into one of the following groups.

Homeowners wanting to renovate, extend or build

Whether you're adding a second storey, building a granny flat, or transforming your backyard, we help you understand what's possible before you commit. Get expert planning advice that saves you time, money, and frustrating surprises down the track.

Builders and designers needing planning input

We work alongside your team to provide early-stage planning assessments so you can design with confidence. Avoid costly redesigns by knowing council's requirements before you get too far down the line.

Mum-and-dad developers doing small projects

You don't need to be a big developer to need good planning advice — in fact, smaller projects often have just as many hurdles. We guide you through the process in plain language, so you always know where you stand.

Small business owners needing help with approvals

From change-of-use applications to fit-out approvals, navigating council requirements can feel overwhelming when you're trying to run a business. We handle the planning side so you can focus on what you do best.

Anyone stuck and not sure what Council will allow

If you've hit a wall with council or just don't know where to start, we can give you a clear picture of your options. Sometimes one conversation is all it takes to move forward with confidence.

About

Why choose clear consultants

Experience on both sides

Kate has worked in town planning for over nine years, including time at Council before moving into private consultancy. That means she understands how applications are assessed from the inside - which makes a real difference when preparing and managing them.

Straight talk, no jargon

The planning system can be genuinely confusing. Kate's approach is to explain things clearly, set realistic expectations, and cut through the complexity so you know exactly where you stand.

Someone on your side

For most clients, the biggest thing is having someone who can deal with Council on their behalf and keep the project moving. That's what Kate does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not sure where to start?

You’re not alone. Most of our clients come to us feeling overwhelmed by the process. Browse the common questions below, or book a quick call and we’ll point you in the right direction.

It depends on your local council’s LEP and the scale of your project. Kate can provide a preliminary assessment to determine if your work falls under Exempt, Complying, or full Development Application requirements.
If your project meets the strict state-wide standards set out in the SEPP, we can bypass the local Council DA process and use a private certifier. We’ll check this for you first as it’s often faster.
While Council timelines vary (typically 40–90 days), our goal is to submit ‘clean’ applications that minimise requests for further information (RFI), which is the primary cause of delays.
Zoning, heritage overlays, and bushfire ratings all dictate what is permissible. Kate provides a Planning Advice report that clarifies exactly what you can build before you commit to design fees.
This typically requires a Building Information Certificate (BIC). We help gather the necessary documentation and negotiate with Council to regularise the structure.

Client Testimonials

We love our clients, It's nice to know they love us back.

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Barbara Ferguson,
Business Name

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Barbara Ferguson,
Business Name

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Most people start with a quick phone call to talk through their project. Kate can usually point you in the right direction from there, even if it’s just a five-minute conversation.

Phone

0434 363 068

Email

kate@clearconsultants.com.au

Based on the South Coast –  Servicing Nowra, Huskisson, Vincentia, Berry, St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet, and the Jervis Bay area. Working across all of NSW.

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