Application for Certificates

Hay Shire Council uses one letter-style form (FORM.C.02) 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. An outstanding notices certificate under section 735A of the Local Government Act 1993 says whether the council has issued notices under that Act for the land that are still outstanding; a certificate under Schedule 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (formerly section 121ZP) covers outstanding orders under planning law. The form also lists a biosecurity (weeds) certificate under the Biosecurity Act 2015, a swimming pool certificate under section 22D of the Swimming Pools Act 1992, a building certificate (separate form), a sewer or drainage diagram, a water meter reading and a dog enclosure certificate.

When you need it

• You are preparing a contract for the sale of land in the Hay Shire and need the planning certificate and drainage diagram.
• You act on a purchase and need the 603 certificate, outstanding notices searches and a water meter reading.
• You are buying rural land and want the weeds certificate.

1. 1

   Tick the certificates

   Tick each certificate you want and total the fees. A building certificate needs the council's separate Application for Building Certificate form.

2. 2

   Description of land

   House number, street, locality, lot, section and DP, parish, county and area. Attach extra details if there is not enough space.

3. 3

   Owner and applicant

   Owner's name, applicant's name, address with postcode, and your reference.

4. 4

   Acknowledgement and signature

   You confirm the description is correct. If it differs from the council's records, the certificate will issue on the description you gave or where the council can identify the owner's holdings, and you take responsibility for the information. Sign, date and give a phone number.

• Address it to The General Manager, Hay Shire Council, PO Box 141, Hay NSW 2711, or lodge at 134 Lachlan Street, Hay. Phone (02) 6990 1100.
• The office-use section shows that for a 603 certificate the council also reports kerb and gutter or private works charges and whether filtered water, raw water and sewer are connected.
• A fee applies to each certificate and the council publishes its current amounts each financial year. Check the current fee schedule before paying, as printed amounts change on 1 July.

• Our recorded copy of this form is an older version with superseded fees. Hay Shire Council now publishes an Application for Certificates 2026-2027; use that one.
• The 121ZP label is the old section number; the orders certificate now sits in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.