Application for Certificates

Gwydir Shire Council, with offices in Bingara and Warialda, uses one form for its property certificates. Section 603 of the Local Government Act 1993 lets a council issue a certificate stating the amount (if any) of rates, charges and other amounts due or payable to the council for a parcel of land. Section 603(2) requires the application to be accompanied by the approved fee, which the Office of Local Government sets each year; councils may charge a separate fee for expedited processing. Planning certificates are issued by the council under section 10.7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. A section 10.7(2) certificate contains the matters prescribed by Schedule 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021: zoning, the planning instruments and policies that apply, planning controls, and hazards and risks. A section 10.7(5) certificate adds any other relevant information the council holds about the land; councils include that advice voluntarily and the Regulation cannot prescribe it. Anyone can buy a planning certificate, for any purpose. The form also offers a 735A certificate (outstanding matters under the Local Government Act 1993), a sewer service diagram and a special water meter read. Every item has an urgent option at an extra fee.

When you need it

• You are preparing a contract for the sale of land in the Gwydir Shire and need the planning certificate and sewer service diagram.
• You act on a purchase and need the rates certificate, an outstanding matters search and a final water read.

1. 1

   Applicant details

   Name, phone, address, fax, reference and email. Tick the box if you do not want to be added to the council's mailing list.

2. 2

   Certificate type

   Tick each certificate and, for each, whether you also want the urgent option. Urgent fees are charged on top of the standard fee.

3. 3

   Property details

   Assessment number, address, parish, lot, section, DP and land area, and the owner's and purchaser's full names and addresses. The form warns that insufficient information may cause the application to be returned or delayed.

4. 4

   Credit card payment slip

   To pay by card, complete page 2 with the name on the card, number, expiry and CCV. The council says the slip is shredded after payment.

• Send to Gwydir Shire Council, PO Box 5, Bingara NSW 2404, email mail@gwydir.nsw.gov.au, or lodge at the Bingara office (33 Maitland Street) or the Warialda office (54 Hope Street). Phone 02 6724 2000.
• All certificates are charged per council assessment number, and fees change on 1 July each year. Check the current fees before paying.
• Planning certificates can also be requested through the NSW Planning Portal in participating council areas; the application is sent to the council to review. Check whether this council accepts Planning Portal applications before choosing that route.

• A holding with more than one assessment number needs a certificate, and a fee, for each.
• Order the special water meter read close to settlement so usage can be apportioned.