PO Box 930 Revesby New South Wales (NSW) 2213
PO Box 930 Revesby New South Wales (NSW) 2213
PO Box 930 Revesby New South Wales (NSW) 2213
With over 30+ years of experience conducting both residential and commercial demolitions
In the state of NSW, planning a demolition involves more than simply arranging for a demolition contractor and choosing a date for the excavator to arrive.
Before any demolition work can begin, you need to first understand any relevant planning approvals, certification requirements, site restrictions, and safety obligations that may apply to your property.
In this sense, one of the most important questions is whether the proposed demolition can proceed under a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or whether a Development Application (DA) is required.
At Super Demolition, we help property owners to both understand the demolition process and coordinate the permit requirements involved in preparing a site for its next stage of development. In this article, we’ll go on to explain how.
In most cases, demolition work in NSW requires some form of planning approval or certification.
The specific pathway depends on factors including:
Demolition should therefore be considered as part of the broader development process rather than as a completely separate activity.
Before speaking with Super Demolition, it is important that you know what approvals are required and who is responsible for obtaining them.
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) provides an approval pathway for certain types of development that meet predetermined standards.
Where demolition is eligible under the applicable complying development provisions, a CDC can provide a relatively streamlined approval process compared with a traditional DA.
The key advantage is that the project does not require the same merit-based assessment by council as a DA. Instead, the proposed work must meet all relevant complying development standards.
This can make the CDC pathway more suitable for straightforward demolition projects where the property satisfies the required criteria.
However, eligibility should never be assumed. A property may have site-specific restrictions that prevent demolition from proceeding under a CDC.
A Development Application is a more comprehensive planning approval pathway. A DA is generally lodged with the relevant local council and assessed against applicable planning instruments and development controls.
For demolition projects, council may consider factors such as:
A DA can take longer than a complying development pathway because council may request additional information, impose conditions or require amendments.
There isn’t one approval pathway that is automatically right for every property.
If your demolition project qualifies for a CDC and meets all applicable requirements, the CDC pathway may offer a faster and more predictable process.
If the property or project doesn’t meet the relevant complying development standards, a DA may be required.
The important point is that you cannot simply choose the faster pathway if the project isn’t eligible for it.
A certifier, planner or other appropriately qualified professional should assess the property and proposed works before demolition begins.
One of the most common sources of confusion is determining who actually handles the approvals.
The responsibilities can be divided between several parties.
Ultimately, the property owner is responsible for ensuring the demolition is lawfully authorised.
That doesn’t mean the owner needs to personally prepare every document. However, you should understand what approvals are required and confirm that the appropriate professionals have been engaged.
Where a CDC is applicable, an accredited certifier assesses the application against the relevant complying development standards.
The certifier’s role is to determine whether the proposed work meets the requirements for the certificate.
Council is responsible for assessing DAs where council approval is required.
Council may review the proposal against relevant planning controls and impose conditions as part of the approval.
The demolition contractor is responsible for carrying out the physical demolition work in accordance with the approved plans, conditions and applicable safety requirements.
A professional contractor, like Super Demolition, will understand the practical requirements associated with site preparation, disconnection of services, waste management and hazardous materials.
However, a demolition contractor should not be assumed to be responsible for every planning approval associated with your property. Always establish in writing who is responsible for each approval before work starts.
Heritage restrictions can significantly affect the demolition process.
If your property is heritage-listed or located within a heritage conservation area, demolition may be subject to additional controls.
In these situations, the standard demolition pathway may not apply, and a DA or other approval may be required.
This is particularly important when considering demolition in established suburbs where older homes and heritage precincts are common.
Before arranging a house demolition, property owners should confirm whether any heritage or planning restrictions apply to the specific site.
Asbestos is one of the most important safety considerations during demolition.
Many older Australian homes contain asbestos-containing materials, including products that may not be immediately obvious to an inexperienced observer.
Asbestos may be present in:
Before demolition begins, the property should be assessed for potential hazardous materials.
Where asbestos is identified, it needs to be managed and removed in accordance with applicable requirements.
If you’re searching for asbestos removal near me, don’t just choose a provider based on price. Ask whether the contractor is appropriately licensed for the type and quantity of asbestos involved and whether the removal process includes appropriate disposal.
The responsibility for asbestos identification and removal should be established before demolition begins.
Depending on the circumstances, an asbestos assessor may be engaged to identify or assess asbestos-containing materials. An appropriately licensed asbestos removalist may then be required to carry out the removal.
Your demolition contractor may coordinate this process or work alongside a specialist asbestos removal company.
The important thing is to make sure the asbestos issue is addressed before demolition work begins, rather than discovering hazardous materials halfway through the project.
Once the necessary approvals are in place, the demolition contractor takes responsibility for the physical works.
Depending on the scope of the project, this can include:
A professional contractor should also understand the conditions attached to the approval and work within the approved scope.
One of the first questions property owners ask is how much demolition will cost. Demolition costs that Sydney property owners face can vary considerably depending on the site and scope of work.
Factors that can influence the total cost include:
A straightforward single-storey house with good machinery access can be very different from a multi-storey property on a restricted site. Local site conditions can have a significant effect on how demolition is planned.
A house demolition in Rhodes project requires careful consideration of access, neighbouring properties and the surrounding built environment.
For demolition in Meadowbank or Denistone West, projects may involve established residential streets where machinery access, traffic management and neighbouring structures need to be considered carefully.
This is why a reliable demolition quotation should be based on a site inspection rather than simply an estimate based on floor area.
Once you’ve established the appropriate approval pathway, there are several practical steps to complete before demolition.
Determine whether the project is eligible for a CDC or requires a DA.
Confirm whether heritage, flood, bushfire, environmental or other restrictions apply.
Arrange appropriate assessments for asbestos and other hazardous materials where necessary.
Electricity, gas, water and other services may need to be disconnected before demolition begins.
Obtain detailed quotations and confirm exactly what is included.
Make sure the contractor understands the approved demolition scope and any relevant conditions.
Ask how demolition materials will be separated, recycled and disposed of.
This depends on the circumstances and the approvals involved. If you’re planning a house demolition in Melrose Park, Mosman or Huntley’s Point, the first step should be confirming the property’s approval requirements and arranging an appropriate site assessment.
Some property owners want to demolish an existing house before finalising their plans for a new dwelling, while others plan on demolishing the existing property as part of a larger approved development.
Before taking this approach, speak with your certifier, planner or council to understand the implications.
Demolishing an existing building does not automatically mean your proposed replacement development is approved.
The approval to demolish and approval to construct a new building can involve different requirements.
Demolition is a major construction activity that requires planning, approvals, permits, inspections and heavy duty machinery. Mistakes in the approval process can result in delays, additional costs and potentially serious compliance issues.
The safest approach is to establish the approval pathway before work begins and ensure each responsibility is clearly allocated.
The owner, certifier, council, planner, asbestos specialists and demolition contractor may each have different roles. Understanding who handles what can prevent gaps in responsibility.
The demolition approval process in NSW can seem complicated, but the basic principle is straightforward.
A CDC may provide a faster pathway for eligible demolition projects, while a DA is generally required where the project cannot satisfy the relevant complying development requirements or where additional planning assessment is necessary.
At Super Demolition, we understand that successful demolition involves much more than bringing down a building. Proper planning, site preparation, hazardous material management, safe demolition practices and responsible waste handling all contribute to a successful project.
If you’re planning a house demolition or redevelopment, arrange a professional site assessment with Super Demolition today by calling 0455 888 819 for a free quote.
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