Bankstown City Council has made NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard’s honours list by being named as one of Sydney’s leading Councils in terms of DA assessment times.

“The 2010-2011 planning report card named Bankstown as Sydney’s third fastest Council in processing Development Applications(DA)", Mayor of Bankstown Clr Khal Asfour said.

"Bankstown Council takes 56 days to process a DA, compared to some of our neighbouring Councils who take in excess of 100 days.

“This is a testament to Council’s hard work and innovation in streamlining the application process and eliminating needless delays and inconveniences, " Mayor Asfour said.

Lengthy DA processing times often mean that applicants are impacted by rising construction and rent costs (renting while building) and inevitable frustration.

In the last financial year, Bankstown City Council achieved a 21% improvement on assessment times.

Development Applications are required for a range of construction and modification projects including the building of granny flats, which has risen by 43% Sydney wide over the past year.

“Many DA’s are lodged by mums and dads who are building or extending their family home or constructing a granny flat for their parents or children. In these cases in particular, it is clearly in the community’s interest that Council processes their DA’s as quickly as possible.

“Council also supports the business community by working hard to process their applications without delay”, Mayor Asfour said.

Mayor Asfour reminded all applicants to ensure that their DA’s are submitted properly to avoid unnecessary delays.

A checklist is available at the Planning and Development section of Council’s website, www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au.

Help is also available at Customer Service with Town Planners available in person from 9am-1pm (1pm-4pm by phone) and Building Surveyors from 9am-4pm.Alternatively residents can call 9707 9999.