CDC vs DA: What’s the Difference When It Comes to Landscape Plans?

In the world of residential and small-scale development, the terminology alone can slow down a project. If you’re an architect, designer, or developer, you’ve probably been asked by clients to “just get the plans through council.” But the path to approval depends on whether your project requires a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). And when it comes to landscape plans, the requirements can look very different.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your projects moving—and your overheads under control.

What is a DA?

A Development Application (DA) is a formal request to council seeking consent to carry out development. It applies to projects that fall outside the streamlined CDC pathway, often due to:

• Heritage considerations.

• Sensitive environmental zones.

• Complex designs or larger-scale developments.

For DAs, councils usually require a comprehensive landscape plan. This may include:

• Planting design and species schedules.

• Deep soil zone compliance.

• Tree protection measures.

• Integration with stormwater management.

• Coordination with the architectural DA set.

Because each council has its own Development Control Plan (DCP), requirements can vary—but the expectation is that landscape drawings are detailed, legible, and demonstrate compliance with local policy.

What is a CDC?

A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a faster, more streamlined approval pathway. It allows certain types of development to bypass a full council DA if they meet pre-set standards defined by the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

For CDCs, landscape requirements are often less onerous, but they still matter. Typical inclusions might be:

• Site plan showing existing and proposed planting.

• Basic compliance with private open space and site coverage controls.

• Demonstration of setbacks from structures such as pools, fences, or boundaries.

While not as detailed as DA requirements, poorly prepared landscape documentation can still delay a CDC—especially if certifiers flag non-compliance.

Key Differences in Landscape Documentation

• Detail Level: DA plans are more detailed, often requiring a registered landscape architect’s input. CDC plans are generally lighter, but still need to prove compliance.

• Assessment Body: DAs are assessed by local councils, who may have specific greening strategies and biodiversity targets. CDCs are certified by accredited private certifiers against fixed SEPP standards.

• Risk of Delays: A DA can be delayed if landscape plans are vague or non-compliant with the DCP. A CDC can stall if certifiers aren’t confident that landscaping requirements are met.

Managing Overheads and Budgets

For studios, the challenge is knowing when to invest in detailed landscape documentation and when to keep things lean. Bringing a landscape architect on staff isn’t always viable, especially if your project pipeline fluctuates.

This is where outsourcing makes sense:

• DA Submissions: Engage a freelance landscape architect to prepare or review your full DA landscape package. The investment up front avoids costly council requests later.

• CDC Submissions: Use streamlined, compliant landscape drawings prepared quickly by external support—keeping your internal team focused on core design work.

How Place Supply Can Help

At Place Supply, we specialise in freelance landscape architectural support for studios across Australia. Whether it’s a quick CDC compliance plan or a fully coordinated DA landscape package, we deliver:

• Drawings tailored to the specific approval pathway.

• Coordination with your architectural or engineering documentation.

• A cost-effective alternative to hiring in-house.

👉 If your studio is balancing lean budgets with the pressure to deliver approvals fast, outsourcing your landscape plans could be the smartest way to stay ahead.