Planning Portal
Council's online system for viewing planning information, maps, DA applications, and lodging applications.
The Planning Portal is council's online platform where you can search planning information, view zoning maps, check DAs on any property, lodge applications online, and track your DA progress. Every NSW council has an online planning portal (quality varies dramatically from excellent to barely functional). You can search by address to see: previous DA approvals, current applications, planning controls (zoning, height, FSR), heritage listings, bushfire/flood overlays, and submitted plans/reports. Some councils have integrated NSW Planning Portal, others have separate systems. It's your first stop for research - free to search, publicly accessible, and shows information that used to require visiting council offices. Most councils now require online lodgement of DAs through the portal. Bookmark your council's portal address - you'll use it constantly during your project.
What does it mean for my project?
When you're planning work and 'Planning Portal' comes up in council advice, approval conditions or reports, understanding what it means helps you know what approvals, reports or design changes you might need. It can affect your design options, costs, timeframes and how council or a certifier assesses your project.
What do I need to think about?
If you're not sure how 'Planning Portal' applies to your block or project, check your council information or talk to a planner, certifier or other relevant specialist. Misunderstanding it can lead to delays, extra design fees or even having to redo work, so it's worth clarifying early in the planning stage.
Examples where it might impact a project
I spent hours on council's planning portal looking up what neighbours had approved before designing our extension.
State specific stuff...
Applies mainly in NSW (check local rules if you are in another state or territory).