If you are lodging a Development Application (DA) for a new home, duplex, renovation, pool, retaining walls, or multi-dwelling project, many Sydney councils require a DA landscape plan as part of the submission set.
A DA landscape plan is not a mood board or planting suggestion. It is a council-ready landscape documentation package that supports assessment by showing how the outdoor areas will be built, how the site will function, and how the landscape outcomes will comply with relevant controls.
At Dapple Landscape Design, we prepare DA-compliant landscape plans for Sydney and the Blue Mountains that are clear, buildable, and designed to support approvals.
Need a DA landscape plan that is clear, compliant, and ready to lodge?
Call 1300 DAPPLE (1300 327 753) to confirm what your council is likely to require and get an accurate quote based on your drawings and timeline.
Why choose Dapple for DA landscape plans?
Dapple Landscape Design is a Sydney-based landscape design studio led by qualified designer Julian Saw.
- Servicing Sydney and the Blue Mountains since 2013
- 95% DA approval rate on first submission
- Member of the Landscape Design Institute
- Plans prepared with a strong awareness of setbacks, boundary conditions, drainage impacts, levels, and construction practicality
We work with homeowners, architects, building designers, certifiers, builders, and developers to produce documentation that reads clearly and performs well in real-world construction.
If you are not sure whether your development needs a DA landscape plan, start here:
Do I Need a DA Landscape Plan in Sydney?
What is a DA landscape plan?
A DA landscape plan is a set of scaled drawings and schedules that support council assessment by documenting outdoor works such as:
- Hardscape layouts (paving, decking, paths, steps, courtyards)
- Softscape design (planting, turf, screening, trees, garden beds)
- Site levels and transitions (slope strategy, retaining intent, safe access)
- Privacy and boundary treatments (screens, fences, planting buffers)
- Materials and finishes (surface selections, edging, wall treatments)
- Drainage intent and surface water considerations
In most councils, the landscape component is assessed for amenity, functionality, safety, privacy, streetscape contribution, and long-term maintenance outcomes.
A well-prepared DA landscape plan can reduce delays by answering key questions early and presenting the landscape strategy clearly.
When do Sydney councils require a landscape plan for DA submission?
Many people associate landscape plans with significant developments. Still, councils frequently request landscape documentation for smaller residential projects, especially where there are level changes, drainage impacts, or boundary-sensitive works.
A DA landscape plan may be required for:
- New homes and knock-down rebuilds
- Duplex and dual occupancy developments
- Townhouses and multi-dwelling housing
- Extensions and major renovations where external works change levels or access
- Retaining walls, cut and fill, or sloping site development
- Pools and pool landscaping, especially near boundaries
- Driveway and access changes, including new paths, stairs, or ramps
- Tree removal, tree retention, or tree protection zones
- Heritage or special character areas where streetscape outcomes matter
- Bushfire-prone areas requiring BAL-aware landscape decision-making
If your project involves drainage changes, retaining walls, boundary treatments, or significant hardscape, a strong landscape plan is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your DA submission.
Related reading: How to Navigate Council Approvals for Landscape Design Projects in Sydney and the Blue Mountains
What a council-ready DA landscape plan typically includes
Every council varies, but most high-quality submissions include the following elements.
1) Scaled landscape plan (DA-ready drawing)
A precise, scaled drawing aligned with the architectural site plan showing:
- Site boundaries and setbacks
- Buildings, garages, alfresco zones, and outdoor living areas
- Driveways, paths, stairs, entry routes, and circulation
- Terraces, paving zones, decking, and courtyard layouts
- Retaining wall locations, level change strategy, and transitions
- Fencing, screens, privacy planting, and boundary interface
- Garden beds, lawn, planting zones, and tree locations
2) Planting plan and plant schedule
Most councils expect a planting plan supported by a schedule listing:
- Botanical name and common name
- Pot sizes and quantities
- Mature height and spread
- Spacing or planting density
- Notes on screening, canopy, and streetscape intent
3) Materials and finishes schedule
Councils often require clarity around surfaces and finishes, including:
- Paving types, colours, and format
- Gravel and stabilisation methods
- Decking and edging systems
- Retaining wall materials and face treatments
- Turf vs groundcovers and how surfaces transition
4) Levels and buildability intent (especially for sloping blocks)
For sloped sites, the landscape needs to demonstrate:
- Practical access routes and safe movement
- Retaining approach and transition logic
- Stairs and thresholds that work to code
- Space planning that respects the site conditions
5) Drainage awareness and surface water intent
While detailed hydraulic design may be the responsibility of an engineer, councils still expect confidence that landscaping will not cause drainage problems. Your landscape plan should show:
- Surface fall logic
- Permeable paving where suitable
- Planting zones designed to function in wet weather
- Notes where subsoil drainage is essential
Related guide: Residential Landscape Drainage in Sydney: Rain Gardens, Swales & Permeable Surfaces That Actually Work
The Dapple DA Landscape Plan Package (what you receive)
Our DA landscape plan service is designed to support approvals and ensure your landscape is buildable.
Included (as required for your project scope):
- DA-ready landscape plan drawing
- Planting plan and planting schedule
- Hardscape layout and material intent
- Retaining and level change strategy where relevant
- Privacy and boundary treatment strategy
- Notes aligned to the common council assessment expectations
- Refinement to ensure the plan is clear for lodgement
Optional enhancements:
- 3D visualisations for complex sites or builder clarity
- Enhanced documentation for construction detailing
- Planting refinements for drought tolerance, shade performance, screening, or low maintenance
- Bushfire-aware planting strategies for applicable areas
Explore our services: Landscape Design Services
DA vs CDC: which pathway applies?
People often ask whether they need a DA landscape plan if the project is proceeding under a CDC (Complying Development Certificate).
- The council assesses DA and may involve a deeper planning assessment.
- CDC is generally assessed through a certifier, but landscape documentation may still be required depending on conditions, site constraints, and approval requirements.
If you are unsure, we can help confirm what landscape documents you are likely to need so you do not waste time preparing the wrong package.
Our process for DA landscape plans
Step 1: Brief call and scope confirmation
We confirm the council area, site conditions, and DA timeline.
Step 2: Review drawings and constraints
We typically work from:
- Survey plan
- Architectural site plan
- Any constraints or reports (trees, bushfire, drainage notes)
Step 3: Prepare the DA-ready plan set
We create a plan that demonstrates:
- A clear functional layout
- A practical level and retaining approach
- Planting that performs and reads well in the council assessment
- Materials that suit the site and construction constraints
Step 4: Finalise for lodgement
We ensure the package is cohesive, legible, and aligned with the overall DA submission strategy.
Step 5: Support for council feedback
If the council requests amendments, we update the documentation efficiently and clearly.
Why homeowners, architects, and builders choose Dapple
DA landscape plans require a specific mindset. The goal is not just design. It is clarity, compliance, and buildability, without sacrificing aesthetics.
- Plans that assess well and read clearly
- Strong understanding of typical council pressure points around drainage, levels, and boundaries.
- Plant selection based on performance, scale, and long-term maintenance
- Landscapes that feel resolved and practical to construct
- A streamlined process that reduces uncertainty
Julian brings over a decade of professional experience, including work at the Royal Botanic Gardens and the University of Sydney, which informs planting judgment and long-term garden performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a DA landscape plan cost in Sydney?
Pricing depends on site complexity, slope, retaining requirements, planting detail, council expectations, and whether 3D or enhanced documentation is required. We provide a tailored quote based on your drawings and your DA timeline.
How long does a DA landscape plan take?
Timeframes depend on the scope and current workload. If you have a lodgement deadline, please tell us early. We will advise the best staging option to meet the timeline.
Do you work with builders and architects?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with architects, building designers, certifiers, and builders to ensure the landscape documentation aligns with levels, access, and construction realities.
Do you prepare DA landscape plans for sloping blocks?
Yes. Sloping sites often require greater clarity on retaining walls, level transitions, drainage, and access. We design the strategy so it reads clearly and is buildable.
Do you prepare DA landscape plans for the Blue Mountains?
Yes. We work across Sydney and the Blue Mountains, including areas where bushfire design considerations influence landscape decisions.
Related guide: Designing for Resilience: Creating Bushfire-Resistant Landscapes in NSW
Related guides and services
If you are planning a DA submission, these pages help you make better decisions and strengthen your application.
- Do I Need a DA Landscape Plan in Sydney?
- Council Approvals for Landscape Design in Sydney & the Blue Mountains
- Residential Landscape Drainage in Sydney
- Residential Landscaping Sydney
- Landscape Design Services
- Landscape Architects Sydney
- Landscape Design Sydney
Speak with a landscape designer who understands council submissions
If you want a DA landscape plan that is council-ready, clearly documented, and designed to perform long-term, we can help.
Ready to move forward?
Call 1300 DAPPLE (1300 327 753) or visit our Contact Us page to arrange a consultation.