Proposed Development Fees - 2026/27

At the ordinary meeting of Council on 28 September 2026 Council resolved Minute No. 26-185 to place the proposed Development Fees – 2026/27 on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. Pending consideration of public submissions, if no submissions are received, Council resolved to adopt the proposed Development Fees – 2026/27.

Background

Lithgow City Council has undertaken a review of its Planning and Development fees and charges and is seeking community feedback on the following proposed fees. The fees have been identified following a review of other surrounding Council’s with the aim to cover the cost of providing early professional advice, reviewing preliminary plans, and coordinating specialist staff for developments in Lithgow.

New Fee Heading	Unit	Fee	Reason
New Heading - Development - Pre-Lodgement Meeting for Development Applications
Meeting with Council planner(s) only: 1^st Hour is free of charge, thereafter or additional meetings on same development/land is charge	Per meeting	$200	First hour will cover most general Pre-DA, Major DA’s and follow up meetings take more time and effort as its more detailed information/ expertise which should be charged
Meeting with Council Planners and other professional staff	Per hour +fee per professional staff	$200 + $100	Additional professional staff means more expertise and not doing general duties
Onsite Meeting with Council Planners and other professional staff	Per hour meeting	$400	Officers out of office and travel inclusive, cover costs of expertise
Formal minutes of any pre-lodgment meeting including additional researched advice	Per minutes	$100	Minutes take time to type up and ensure information is correctly recorded. Fee is to offset the time of professional staff.
Existing heading- Development - Enquiry
Building Entitlement Search	Per property	$350	The research for these can be very extensive and take half a day or more in some instances. Fee is to offset the time of professional staff as the letter provided is used to add value to land or decide on purchase.
Exempt Development Letter (confirmation development could be exempt development, not including 5.10 Heritage exemptions)	Per enquiry	$250	The research and time for a formal response is time consuming and generally should be a self-assessment, not involving Council. Confirmation and specific advice from Council should be payable.

The Proposed Development Fees – 2026/27 will be on public exhibition from Friday 9 October to Thursday 5 November (inclusive).

A copy of the proposed Development Fees – 2026/27 may also be viewed at Council’s Administration Building, 180 Mort Street Lithgow on weekdays from 8:30am to 4pm.

Submissions

Anyone can make a submission regarding the application. Submissions must be in writing marked "Proposed Development Fees – 2026/27 "

Complete the online submission form below.

council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au

Delivered to Lithgow City Council, 180 Mort Street, Lithgow

Lithgow City Council, PO Box 19, Lithgow NSW 2790

Received by Council no later than 4pm on Thursday 5 November