Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993

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Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 specifies a range of activities where approvals are required to be obtained from the local council. These are often in addition to standard development application (DA) requirements and are known as ‘Section 68 approvals’.

What types of activities generally require a section 68 approval?

The following types of activities generally require approval under section 68:

Temporary structures and places of public entertainment

• install a manufactured home, moveable dwelling or associated structures.

Water supply, sewerage and stormwater work

• carry out water supply work.
• draw water from a Council water supply or a standpipe (including selling of the water).
• install, alter, disconnect or remove a meter connected to a service pipe.
• carry out sewerage work.
• carry out stormwater drainage work.
• connect a private drain or sewer with a Council controlled public drain or sewer.

Management of waste

• transport waste over or under a public place.
• put waste in a public place.
• put a waste storage container in a public place.
• dispose of waste into a Council sewer.
• install, construct or alter a waste treatment device, or a human waste storage facility (such as a ‘septic tank’), or, a drain connected to such a facility or device.
• operate an on site sewage system (OSMS).

Community Land

• engage in a trade or business.
• direct or procure a theatrical, musical or other entertainment for the public on community land.
• construct a temporary enclosure for the purpose of entertainment.
• play a musical instrument or sing on community land for fee or reward.
• set up, operate or use a loudspeaker or sound amplifying device on community land.
• deliver a public address or hold a religious service or a public meeting on community land.

Public roads

• swing or hoist goods across or over any part of a public road by means of a lift, hoist or tackle over the footway.
• expose, or allow to be exposed (whether for sale or otherwise) any article in, on, or to overhang any part of the road or outside a shop window or doorway abutting the road, or to hang an article beneath an awning over the road.

Other activities

• operate a public car park.
• operate a caravan park or camping ground.
• operate a manufactured home estate.
• install a domestic oil or solid fuel heating appliance, other than a portable appliance
• install or operate an amusement device.
• use a standing vehicle or any article for the purpose of selling any article in a public place.
• carry out an activity prescribed under the Local Government Regulations.

Online Section 68 applications

You can now submit an application for certain councils, anywhere and anytime with our online service.

Simply check the list of councils below to see if the service is available in your Local Government Area.

Councils using the online service

ARMIDALE REGIONAL COUNCIL
BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL
BEGA VALLEY SHIRE COUNCIL
BERRIGAN SHIRE COUNCIL
BLAND SHIRE COUNCIL
BLAYNEY SHIRE COUNCIL
BLUE MOUNTAINS CITY COUNCIL
BOGAN SHIRE COUNCIL
BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL
CENTRAL DARLING SHIRE COUNCIL
CESSNOCK CITY COUNCIL
CLARENCE VALLEY COUNCIL
COOLAMON SHIRE COUNCIL
COOTAMUNDRA-GUNDAGAI REGIONAL COUNCIL
DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL
EUROBODALLA SHIRE COUNCIL
FEDERATION COUNCIL
FORBES SHIRE COUNCIL
GLEN INNES SEVERN SHIRE COUNCIL
GOULBURN MULWAREE COUNCIL
GREATER HUME SHIRE COUNCIL
KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL
KYOGLE COUNCIL
LEETON SHIRE COUNCIL
Liquor & Gaming NSW
LISMORE CITY COUNCIL
LITHGOW CITY COUNCIL
LOCKHART SHIRE COUNCIL
MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL
MURRAY RIVER COUNCIL
MURRUMBIDGEE COUNCIL
MUSWELLBROOK SHIRE COUNCIL
NAMBUCCA VALLEY COUNCIL
NARROMINE SHIRE COUNCIL
OBERON COUNCIL
ORANGE CITY COUNCIL
PENRITH CITY COUNCIL
PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL
QUEANBEYAN-PALERANG REGIONAL COUNCIL
RICHMOND VALLEY COUNCIL
SHOALHAVEN CITY COUNCIL
TEMORA SHIRE COUNCIL
THE COUNCIL OF THE SHIRE OF HORNSBY
UPPER HUNTER SHIRE COUNCIL
UPPER LACHLAN SHIRE COUNCIL
URALLA SHIRE COUNCIL
WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
WALCHA COUNCIL
WARRUMBUNGLE SHIRE COUNCIL
WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL
WINGECARRIBEE SHIRE COUNCIL
WOLLONDILLY SHIRE COUNCIL
YASS VALLEY COUNCIL

How to lodge

1. Register for a NSW Planning Portal account to start your application.
2. Log in to complete the online application form. You may be required to submit further documents to support your application.