Express DA on the Gold Coast

Align is often asked about the Express DA process and whether a clients application qualifies. The City of the Gold Coast introduced a new expediated development approval service in 2020, appropriately named Express DA. The Express DA service replaced the ageing Risksmart service that the city previously offered for expediated applications.

The new Express DA model will change the process of how low complexity Development Applications are lodged, reviewed and approved. These updates include:

The Introduction of a pre submission stage;
A Dedicated Express DA assessment team;
Improvements on the applicable criteria of what application types will constitute an Express DA
The introduction of supporting tools and guidance.

The introduction of a Dedicated Express DA team

The City of Gold Coast now have a dedicated Express DA team, who will solely deal with express Development Applications. This team is made up of planners and internal referrals (landscaping, transport etc) who are able to build an understanding of what is accepted via the express process. This also helps with the private sector as we can deal with the same planners each time and build an understanding of what information they need to see within an application.

Express DA Process

Step 1

Pre submission stage

Step 2

Lodgement stage

Step 3

Assessment stage

Step 4

Decision stage

The new pre submission process usually takes around 10 – 15 working days and can be looked at as an information request period up front. This is in contrast to the normal development application process which issues an information request during the process. Once the Express DA team review your pre submission request they will action one of the three items:

• Determine the application does not qualify for Express DA and the applicant must submit a full development application
A rectification letter is issued outlining additional information or changes Council requires prior to lodgement (application remains in Express DA)
Lodgement Ready letter (the applicant can lodge the application)

• Even with a lodgement ready letter Council can still ask for additional information / minor changes.

• Once an application is formally lodged a decision is usually issued in approximately 15 business Days. The entire Express DA process still takes around 30 – 40 business days in Align’s experience.

Eligible Express DA application types

The service is predominately restricted to simple applications, with no impact assessable development applications able to be lodged via the service. Align has experience in determining if an application can be lodged via Express DA. Please ask us about this service should be interested in utilising it. Eligibility to lodge under Express DA is further explained on the City of Gold Coast website

View Explanation

The Express DA system offers applicants a 20% reduction in the relevant fee. If you would like to discuss if your application qualifies for Express DA, contact Align today

Contact

Stay Up To Date

Express DA on the Gold Coast

The new Express DA model will change the process of how low complexity Development Applications are lodged, reviewed and approved. These updates include:

Eligible Express DA application types