Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 19 MARCH 2026

Integrated development – "opt-in" or a matter of fact?

Where integrated development may be engaged, ensure the correct deemed-refusal period (40 vs 60 days) is applied, and verify before filing that appeal rights have actually accrued and have not expired.

AustraliaReal Estate and Construction

Key points

  • In a recent Land and Environment Court (LEC) decision, the LEC treated a development application (DA) as integrated development even though the applicant did not elect it to be processed as such.
  • For years, practitioners have treated the integrated development scheme in Div 4.8 of Pt 4 of the EP&A Act as a device that allows applicants to invoke to coordinate approvals. On that view, an applicant might "opt in" or proceed as a standard DA.
  • In Artmade Architectural Pty Ltd v Central Coast Council [2025] NSWLEC 1249 (Artmade), the Court re-centred the analysis on the text of s 4.46: development is "integrated" if, in order to carry it out, the proponent requires both development consent and a listed approval. On that basis, the DA was integrated development, irrespective of the applicant's election on the DA form submitted to Council.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

See more popular content from