Georges River Council has significantly improved the speed of Development Application assessments, achieving close to a 40% reduction in the average determination timeframe in 2025.
The average timeframe has decreased from 256 days in January 2025 to 157 days in December 2025.
Key drivers of the improved performance include earlier engagement with applicants, stronger pre-lodgement and pre-assessment checks, and the consistent application of planning policy.
These measures support timely decision-making while ensuring proposals continue to meet planning, safety and environmental standards.
In 2025, Council also reduced its Development Application refusal rate by 24 per cent. This demonstrates that faster processing has not been achieved through an increase in application refusals. Instead, Council works closely with applicants to address issues early and provide guidance.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, "Council is dedicated to delivering a planning service that is responsive, reliable and consistent for the community.
"These improvements support the growth of our area by making the Development Application process more predictable and transparent for residents and businesses.
"Faster decision-making provides greater certainty for applicants, helping to minimise avoidable delays, reduce holding and financing costs, and enable projects to start sooner.
"Council has achieved this while maintaining planning controls and thorough assessments.
"Together, these improvements demonstrate Council's commitment to delivering efficient, high-quality planning outcomes that support our community now and into the future."
