Anyone who has lodged a development application will tell you the same thing: the process can feel completely disconnected from the quality of the project. Good designs sit in queues. Simple questions take months to answer. In March 2026, a set of legislative reforms came into effect that take direct aim at this problem. Here is what changed, and why it matters.

A faster track for certain types of projects

One of the more significant shifts is the creation of a new approval pathway for development that falls into a recognised category with established design. Rather than going through the full merit assessment process, these projects can move through a streamlined route that may cut approval time roughly in half. The specific project types eligible for this faster pathway will be confirmed over the coming months. But if you’re planning a well-located residential project in Sydney, it’s worth asking your architect whether this route might apply to you when the time comes.

Small changes on site no longer mean big delays

This reform has immediate practical value for anyone currently in construction. On any build things come up, a wall shifts slightly, a material needs substituting, a detail evolves on site. Under the previous rules, even changes that had no meaningful impact on the approved design could take months to get formally signed off, stalling trades and blowing out programs. The new rules introduce a 14-day sign-off for minor amendments that carry no environmental consequence. It is a straightforward change with a real effect on build certainty and holding costs.

Unresolved old approvals are on notice

The reforms also address a long-standing frustration in the industry: development applications that were lodged, never fully resolved, and never formally closed. These have been sitting in council systems for years in some cases, creating uncertainty for current owners. The state now has authority to act on these directly so if you hold a property with an old approval of unclear status, it is worth getting clarity on where it stands.

“A well-prepared application has always performed better at council. These reforms make that advantage more measurable than ever, and more consequential”

What this means if you’re planning a project this year

For the majority of homeowners planning a renovation or new home, day-to-day council processes remain largely unchanged for now. But the direction is unambiguous: the state is pushing for faster, more outcome-focused assessment, and rewarding applications that arrive complete and considered. For our clients, that has always been the standard. Every application we lodge is designed to answer every question before it’s asked, which is why our approval rate across all project types remains high on first submission or via strategic pathways.

→ Questions about your project’s approval pathway? Talk to us at info@zanecarterarchitects.com.au or call  02 9171 3627.