Development Assessment
Designed for planning professionals, such as engineers, building surveyors, planners and environmental officers who work with urban planners as well as support staff and those relatively new to the field of development assessment, this development assessment course outlines the basic building blocks of development assessment process and the planning principles that underpin good practice. Designed to complement experience at work, and on-the-job training, this course provides essential knowledge and skills for effective professional practice, balancing planning law and policy with local strategic planning and urban design outcomes.
Sessions
Session one
- Introduction to development assessment.
- The role of the Development Assessment (DA) Planner.
- Strategic Framework, state and regional planning.
- Local Environmental Planning in NSW.
- Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans.
Session two
- Development assessment fundamentals.
- The development assessment framework.
- Steps in the development assessment process.
- Case studies of the range of development types and scales.
Session three
- Development Assessment (DA) in practice.
- Professional Practice.
- Specialist input to the DA process.
- Assessment and weighing decisions.
Session four
- Development Assessment field trip and best practice case studies/workshop.
- Urban design basics.
Session five
- Decision-making and Appeal Systems.
- Land and Environment Court.
- How Planning Panels operate: Panel Report Workshop.
| Duration | Five days (40 hours in total) |
| Dates | Class Code: DA1 Block 1: Mon 3 - Wed 5 Feb, 2025 Block 2: Wed 5 – Thu 6 Mar, 2025 |
| Time | 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM |
| Venue | Mixed delivery mode |
| Cost | $3,245 (GST free) |
If you’re new to the industry and seek a deeper understanding of the planning system, this course is for you.
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Development assessment is one of the most high profile activities in local government (and one of the most resource-heavy). This course explores the basic knowledge and skills in assessment, urban design, and planning law.
Increasing demand for planners (and the demand for housing) in NSW has raised the need for training and employment of ‘para-planners’, to deal with basic assessment matters. This development assessment course would also be appropriate for emerging para-planners, who are seeking a thorough grounding in the operation of the NSW development assessment system (at the local and state level), with an emphasis on the front-end of the process.
This course can be delivery as an advanced course for senior development assessment and planning officials and customised for in-house training for organisations.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, you will:
- understand how the NSW strategic planning and development assessment systems operate.
- understand the significance of the legal frameworks on which planning is based.
- be equipped to analyse planning instruments such Local Environmental Plans (LEP) and State Environmental Planning (SEPP) Policies, and the accompanying Development Control Plans.
- understand how Development Applications (DAs) are processed, including legal requirements, determining key issues and impacts, stakeholder views, weighting of issues and applying conditions of consent.
- be aware of key examples and worked case studies, considering legal issues, assessment matters, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
- understand the sources of conflict, approaches for dispute resolution; and the role of the Land and Environment Court (including procedures, planning principles and case law).
Delivery style
This development assessment course will be offered in a mixed mode format consisting of online delivery via a live zoom video link and face-to-face teaching on UTS campus. Location details and teaching materials will be made available to participants prior to the course.
Block one will be offered online via a live Zoom video link and block two will be delivered face-to-face on UTS campus. On day four, participants will be accompanied by our presenter(s) on a site visit. Location details will be released in the lead up to the commencement date.
This course can be customised and/or delivered in-house. Find out more.
About the presenters
Dr Danny Wiggins is a consultant planner, facilitator and educator who has worked for all three levels of government and a range of private clients. As a Planning consultant, Danny specialises in the statutory planning system in New South Wales, with particular interest and expertise in the development and implementation of local Planning controls and development assessment systems.
Alison McCabe is a consultant planner with over 25 years of experience in statutory and strategic planning for state and local government and private practice. She has worked at Cessnock, Rockdale, Woollahra and North Sydney Council, and also at the then Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. Prior to establishing SJB Planning NSW in 2005 in conjunction with Stuart McDonald, Alison held the position of Director, Environmental and Community Management with Leichhardt Council.
Joshua Palmer has extensive experience in local government and planning and environmental law, regularly acting and appearing for local government, private developers and accredited certifier clients in both Class 1 and Class 4 of the Land and Environment Court’s jurisdiction. Joshua is an excellent communicator, regularly advising on a wide array of environmental and planning matters from construction and interpretation of planning instruments and Development Control Plans, existing use rights, development contributions, construction of development consents and commencement of development and the matters upon which certifiers must be satisfied before issuing certificates. Joshua also has extensive experience in significant development applications including Part 3A approvals, planning proposals and development benefited by voluntary planning agreement.
Luke Murtas is a town planner and lawyer who has worked for local and state government in NSW and the UK, and is currently Manager, Development Assessment at Sydney's Inner West Council.
Guest presenters include Liam Williamsz from SJB Planning.
Course registration
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What others have said about this course
All facilitators did an awesome job both with engaging and explaining with adequate detail. Have recommend any staff in our department with exposure to planning should do this course.- Elaine. K
Case studies (guest speakers). Really enjoyed learning about the other parts of the act - Natalie. F
It was all very informative.- Louise. A
Contact us
Need more information? For all course related enquiries, including future dates or in-house training enquiries email us or call +61 (2) 9514 7884.
This short course is presented by the university's Institute for Public Policy and Governance. Learn more about the Institute's advisory and research services, local government postgraduate courses and professional learning and development programs.
