Q: What development Codes are used within the EHC system?
A: The Electronic Housing Code (EHC) system uses the development standards within 5 Codes. The Codes that have been included within the EHC system are the NSW General Housing Code, Demolition Code, General Exempt Development Code, Housing Alterations Code and Rural Housing Code.
Please note, that the NSW Commercial and Industrial Code will be included in the EHC system by the end of 2013, as part of the expansion of the system.
Q: Is there a fee to use this system?
A: At present there is no fee to utilise this system, print an exempt development report or to lodge an application electronically. The Electronic Housing Code pilot is being subsidised by a Commonwealth grant to New South Wales under the Housing Affordability Fund. Once the Commonwealth funds have been exhausted, a fee will be required to maintain the basic operation of the system.
Please note, there will still be fees associated with the assessment of your application, and this will be discussed with your nominated Council or Accredited Certifier.
Q: Why isn't my Council available for selection?
A: Only those eleven Councils involved in the Electronic Housing Code pilot are available for selection on this system. This is due to the fact that the system relies on Council land and property information data to interrogate whether you are able to conduct the proposed development as exempt or complying development.
Q: How can I find out what Council my property is in?
A: If you are unsure what Council your property is in, you have several options:
1. Please refer to your rates notice. This will state the local government area you are situated in.
2. You can use the Local Council search on the Department of Local Government’s website at : http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au.
Q: Why are some development types unavailable?
A:The Electronic Housing Code automatically interrogates land-based exclusion attributes for the selected site. If a certain attribute applies, you may be unable to conduct all types of development on the site. Any unavailable development types will be “greyed out” and you will be unable to select them from the list. This means you are unable to do exempt or complying development on that site. A list of all possible land-based exclusion attributes can be downloaded here.
Q: Can you view development applications on public exhibition using the Electronic Housing Code?
A: No. The Electronic Housing Code is an online system for the preparation and lodgement of electronic complying development applications under the NSW Housing Code for lots 200 square metres and above.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has also recently released an online development assessment (major projects) tracking system. For more information on this different system, please click here.
Q: The Exempt and Complying Development Reports display zoning information. Is this the Standard Instrument LEP zoning information?
A: Some of the Councils involved in the Electronic Housing Code have not exhibited and adopted a Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan (LEP). In circumstances where a Council has not yet adopted a Standard Instrument LEP, the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 provides that complying development can be carried out on an "equivalent zone".
If your land is located within a Local Government Area which has not adopted a Standard Instrument LEP, the Zone information provided in this report will be based on "equivalent zone" information from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and is not necessarily the land’s actual current zoning under the environmental planning instrument applicable to your land. Therefore, if your land is located within a Local Government Area which has not adopted a Standard Instrument LEP, the Zone information provided in this report should not be relied upon as an indication of the actual zoning under the environmental planning instrument applicable to your land.
If in doubt as to whether your local council has exhibited or adopted a Standard Instrument LEP, or to find out the actual zoning of your land, please contact your local Council for further information. No responsibility is accepted for any inconsistency with the adopted zoning if a Standard Instrument LEP applicable to your land is subsequently made, or for any reliance on Zone information provided in this report contrary to this disclaimer.
Q: Is my Council using the Standard Instrument LEP zone information?
A: At the time of writing (December 2011), there are 11 Councils on the Electronic Housing Code system. Of these Councils, the following have not exhibited and adopted a Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan (LEP): Bankstown, Blacktown, Lake Macquarie, Rockdale, Shellharbour, Sutherland, the Hills and Tweed Councils.
In such circumstances, the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 provides that complying development can be carried out on an "equivalent zone". If your land is located within a Local Government Area which has not adopted a Standard Instrument LEP, the Zone information provided in this report will be based on "equivalent zone" information from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and is not necessarily the land’s actual current zoning under the environmental planning instrument applicable to your land. Therefore, if your land is located within a Local Government Area which has not adopted a Standard Instrument LEP, the Zone information provided in this report should not be relied upon as an indication of the actual zoning under the environmental planning instrument applicable to your land.
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