City of Newcastle - Make a Submission

Make a Submission

Have your say about an application on public notification.

Last updated on: 29 April 2026

In this article

What you need to know
Related articles
Next steps
Time frames
Helpful links

When a development application is on public notification, it means the proposal is open for community feedback. You can submit comments either in support or objection - this is called making a submission.

City of Newcastle's Community Participation Plan outlines how we involve the community in this process.

Who gets notified

If a development may impact your property (e.g. privacy, sunlight, views, traffic), we may send you a letter and publish the application online for public viewing. Not all development applications are publicly notified, the decision to notify an application is considered on a case by case basis.

Making a submission

You can support or object to a proposal during the exhibition period. Submissions received after the notification closing date may not be considered. If you require an extension, please contact us prior to the due date.

Viewing applications

You can view development applications on the Application Tracker or sign up for alerts via Planning Alerts (third party provider) to stay informed about proposals near your address.

Application Tracker

View development applications or search for properties on a map and view details.

How to navigate Application Tracker

What you need to know

How to make a Submission

You can lodge a submission in one of the following ways.

Online

When searching for a property or application number, begin typing the address and then select the correct option from the drop-down list. Avoid copying and pasting the full address or application number, as this can prevent the system from displaying the selectable options and may stop you from proceeding.
Once you have found the application, click on 'Lodge Submission'.
You will be taken to an online form to complete your submission.
Once you've reviewed the proposed development and prepared your submission, you can lodge it online using the submission form. You'll also have the option to upload any supporting documents or photos as part of the process.

Post

Send your submission to 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle NSW 2300 (allow enough time for delivery before the closing date).

In person

Deliver it to our Customer Service Centre.

What to include in your Submission

To be valid under City of Newcastle's Community Participation Plan (CPP), your submission must:

include the application number and property address (found on the notification letter)
include your name, residential address and contact details
be received within the notification period (check the Application Tracker or notification letter)
disclose any political donations or gifts
clearly state your reasons for supporting or objecting to the development
you can use dot points or headings to highlight key concerns.

Your submission should focus on how the proposed development may impact:

your property
the surrounding street
the broader community.

Relevant concerns may include bulk, scale, privacy, solar access, and other planning-related impacts.

Please note:

Submissions should relate to the current proposal, not past or unrelated issues.
Existing problems or historical concerns are generally not considered in the assessment.

To understand what land uses are permitted under current zoning, visit the NSW Planning Portal Spatial Viewer.

Declaring political donations and gifts

If you are making a submission and have previously made or will be making a political donation or gift, please read the following information carefully.

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the Act) requires you to disclose any 'reportable political donations' and 'gifts' made by yourself or any 'associate' within the period commencing two years before the submission is made and ending when the application is determined.

Visit the Political Donations and Gifts page to learn more and if reqired, download a Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Form to attach with your submission.

Failure to disclose relevant information or to make a false disclosure statement is an offence that may be punishable by the imposition of a penalty, as per the Act.

Submission confidentiality

Submissions are public:

Any submission you make may be accessed under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) and is considered Open Access Information. This means it is not confidential and may be published on City of Newcastle's Application Tracker alongside other documents related to the development application.

Personal details are managed carefully:

City of Newcastle will remove certain personal information from public view in line with the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) guidelines.

Your name may be published, but other personal details will be withheld where appropriate.

Submissions may be shared:

Your submission may be provided to authorised third parties involved in the assessment process, including referral bodies, Council reports, or court proceedings.

Political donations and gifts:

Any Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure Forms submitted are not confidential and will be publicly available on City of Newcastle's website.

Application Tracker - view applications and explore historical data.
Outdoor Trading Submission Form - to provide feedback on a proposed outdoor dining application.
Public Notices - to view public notifications on proposed leases, traffic amendments, community land notices and more.

Next steps

Once your submission is processed, an acknowledgment will be sent to the email address you provided.
When the notification period closes, the development application will be assessed. Any valid submissions made during the notification period will be considered during the assessment.
The development application will be determined. Those that provided a submission will be advised of the outcome.

Time frames

You'll receive an acknowledgement of your submission within 7 days.
The time it takes to assess a development application can vary depending on its complexity.
Once a decision is made, you'll be notified of the outcome in writing.

Helpful links

Community Participation Plan

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Make a Submission

Make a Submission

Who gets notified

Making a submission

Viewing applications

Application Tracker

What you need to know

How to make a Submission

What to include in your Submission

Declaring political donations and gifts

Submission confidentiality

Related articles

Next steps

Time frames

Helpful links