Property development guide

What can I develop on my property in Concord?

Explore some of the planning controls, development opportunities and approval considerations that may affect properties in Concord.

Every property is different, so the development potential should always be checked against the controls applying to the individual site.

Check my property Speak to a planner

What development may be possible in Concord?

Concord is an established, largely low density suburb in the City of Canada Bay, known for generous garden lots, consistent interwar streetscapes, several heritage conservation areas and a small centre at Majors Bay Road.

Concord is predominantly low density residential land under Canada Bay LEP 2013, with medium density and business zoning near Majors Bay Road and limited higher density pockets.

Depending on the individual property, the options usually explored are renovations and extensions, knock-down rebuilds, granny flats or secondary dwellings, dual occupancy on wider lots, and subdivision of larger holdings.

Concord's larger lot sizes make it a stronger candidate for dual occupancy and subdivision testing than many Inner West suburbs, but character and heritage controls are also stronger, so both sides need to be checked.

Renovations and extensions
Knock-down rebuilds
Granny flats or secondary dwellings
Dual occupancies
Subdivision
Townhouses or multiple dwellings
Redevelopment
Combining adjoining properties

These are not automatically available on every property. Zoning, lot dimensions, heritage, site constraints and other planning controls all matter.

Check what applies to my property

What could you do with your property?

Improve your home

Make your property work better for you and your family.

Renovations
Extensions
Additional bedrooms
Additional living space
Granny flats
Secondary dwellings
Knock-down rebuilds
Major home upgrades

Unlock more from your land

Understand whether your property could accommodate more homes, lots or development.

Dual occupancies
Townhouses
Subdivision
Battle-axe lots
Additional dwellings
Increased dwelling yield
Redevelopment opportunities

Combine & develop

Sometimes the bigger opportunity comes from bringing properties together.

Adjoining properties
Multiple neighbouring lots
Strata apartment blocks
Collective redevelopment
Site amalgamation
Larger development sites

Your property may have different development potential when considered together with neighbouring land.

What planning controls could affect a property in Concord?

The controls below are a high level starting point only. The requirements that actually apply are set by the zoning and controls mapped to your individual lot, so they should always be confirmed for the specific property.

Applicable council: City of Canada Bay Council is the consent authority for most development in Concord.
Planning instruments: Canada Bay LEP 2013 and the Canada Bay DCP, plus applicable State Environmental Planning Policies such as the Housing SEPP and the Complying Development codes.
Residential zoning: Mostly R2 low density residential, with medium density and business zoning around Majors Bay Road.
Height and floor space ratio: Set at a low density scale through most of the suburb, mapped lot by lot in the LEP.
Minimum lot size and frontage: Concord's generous lots mean minimum lot size and frontage tests for dual occupancy or subdivision are met more often than in tighter Inner West suburbs. Exact lot dimensions are decisive.
Heritage and conservation areas: Concord contains heritage items and conservation areas with consistent interwar character, which strongly influence demolition, additions and subdivision.
Trees and landscaping: Established street trees and significant private trees are a recognised part of Concord's character, and tree retention and deep soil requirements often shape building footprints.
Flooding and stormwater: Low lying parts of the area near the drainage system can be affected by overland flow, which influences floor levels and pathway.

Which council controls development in Concord?

The City of Canada Bay Council assesses development in Concord under Canada Bay LEP 2013 and the Canada Bay DCP.

State planning legislation and State Environmental Planning Policies sit above the local controls and can permit certain development or provide a Complying Development pathway, though heritage and conservation area land is often excluded from that pathway.

The combination applying to a specific Concord property should be confirmed before design work begins.

Visit City of Canada Bay Council

Common development types in Concord

Renovations and extensions

The dominant form of development in Concord. Within conservation areas, additions are usually expected to sit behind the original roof form.

Knock-down rebuilds

Common outside conservation areas, where the site can support a substantially larger compliant dwelling.

Granny flats and secondary dwellings

Concord's deeper rear yards often make secondary dwellings physically feasible, subject to area, setbacks, open space and access.

Dual occupancy and duplex development

Regularly tested given lot widths, subject to permissibility in the zone and to minimum area and frontage standards.

Subdivision

Larger and deeper Concord holdings are sometimes capable of subdivision, including battle-axe lots, where minimum lot size and access can be achieved.

Townhouses and multiple dwellings

Limited to medium density zoned land, largely near Majors Bay Road.

Including a development type here does not mean it is permitted on your property. Permissibility depends on the zone and the standards applying to the individual site.

Would I need a DA or CDC in Concord?

Complying Development

Some development can be approved as Complying Development where every applicable requirement in the relevant code is met. It is a faster, standards based pathway, but a single non-compliance or an excluded site removes it.

Development Application

Other development requires a Development Application assessed by the council on its merits. This is the usual pathway where the design departs from a standard or the site is constrained.

The correct pathway depends on the property, the proposed development, the planning controls and the site constraints.

Check my approval pathway See how the process works

Does heritage affect development in Concord?

Heritage is one of the defining planning issues in Concord. The suburb includes heritage items and heritage conservation areas protecting consistent interwar residential streetscapes.

Within a conservation area, demolition of a contributory dwelling is difficult, additions are expected to be subordinate to the original building, and subdivision is assessed against the established pattern of lots and setbacks.

Heritage does not automatically prevent development, but it changes the design approach and often the approval pathway. Status should be confirmed for the individual lot.

Could I develop my property with my neighbour?

Combining adjoining properties can sometimes create a larger development site and opportunities that may not be achievable on either property individually.

In Concord, combining adjoining properties is most relevant near Majors Bay Road and on medium density land, where a wider consolidated site can support townhouses or a larger residential development.

Two neighbouring houses
Multiple adjoining lots
Strata apartment buildings
Larger coordinated redevelopment sites

Planning controls, ownership structure, site dimensions and commercial considerations all need to be assessed before a combined opportunity can be relied on.

Explore a combined development opportunity

Professional review

Get the opportunity checked by a Registered Planner.

Online information is a useful starting point, but development potential ultimately depends on the individual property.

A Registered Planner can review the relevant controls, identify the major constraints and help you understand what may realistically be achievable.

Get my property checked See pricing

Common property development questions in Concord

What can I build on my property in Concord?

On a typical low density Concord lot, options often include a substantial extension, a knock-down rebuild or a secondary dwelling. Dual occupancy or subdivision may be possible on larger lots, subject to the controls.

Can I build a duplex in Concord?

Where dual occupancy is permitted in the zone and the lot meets the applicable minimum area and width standards. Concord's wider lots mean this is worth testing on many sites.

Can I subdivide my property in Concord?

Subdivision requires the resulting lots to satisfy the mapped minimum lot size and achieve compliant access. Deeper lots outside conservation areas are the most likely candidates.

Can I build a granny flat in Concord?

Often yes, given the depth of many Concord yards, subject to land area, setbacks, private open space and access requirements.

Am I in a heritage conservation area in Concord?

Parts of Concord are within heritage conservation areas. This should be confirmed against the Canada Bay LEP heritage maps for your specific address, as it changes what can be demolished and how additions are designed.

Can I demolish a house in a Concord conservation area?

Demolition of a contributory building in a conservation area is difficult and requires strong justification. Retention with a rear or upper level addition is the more common outcome.

Do I need a DA or CDC in Concord?

Complying Development can apply to simple, fully compliant work, but heritage items and conservation areas are generally excluded, so many Concord projects require a Development Application.

Do I have to keep trees on my Concord property?

Significant trees are protected, and tree retention and deep soil landscaping requirements often influence where a new building can be placed.

What zoning applies to my property in Concord?

Mostly R2 low density residential, with medium density and business zoning near Majors Bay Road, mapped lot by lot in Canada Bay LEP 2013.

Can I develop my Concord property with my neighbour?

Where zoning supports it, combining adjoining lots can create a site capable of townhouses or a larger residential development. Controls, ownership and commercial terms need assessment.

How do I check my Concord property's development potential?

Start with your address. Develpr checks the zoning, heritage and lot specific controls applying to the individual property.

Planning sources

The controls referenced on this page come from the following authoritative sources. Always confirm the current requirements for the individual property.

Planning content reviewed by a Registered Planner. This guide is general information only and is not planning advice for a specific property.

Explore nearby property development guides

Browse all property development guides Read how a Develpr property check works See what a planning check costs Learn about the Develpr team

Want to know what applies to your specific property?

Every property is different. Start with your address and understand what may be worth exploring.

mydevelpr.

Speak to a planner