Blue Mountains News

In late 2024, a Blaxland based company pleaded guilty at Katoomba Local Court to two Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 offences. The company had demolished and rebuilt a residential home without the consent of Council. It was fined a total of $15,000 and ordered to pay Council’s costs of $3,250.

In March 2025, a Warrimoo man appeared before Katoomba Local Court for sentencing after earlier pleading guilty to five offences against the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

The offences related to awnings, a carport, a large covered deck and internal alterations to a shed. All these modifications required Council approval which had not been applied for or given. The court fined the man a combined total of $12,000 and he was ordered to pay Council’s costs of $5,000. 

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “While it might seem like a good idea to slip through some modifications without notifying Council, this undermines our ability to assess a development against the relevant standards. It undermines the NSW planning system and it’s unfair to those residents who do the right thing.

“The regulations are there for a reason and they’re in everyone’s best interests, including property owners. The approval and certification process ensures that construction and modifications are done according to building, safety, environmental, and bushfire protection standards.

“If you do undertake works without Council consent, be aware that we take these matters seriously and we won’t hesitate to take action if an individual property owner or a licenced contractor commences work without approval.

“If you are considering any modifications to any aspect of a property, including tree removal works, and are unsure whether you need approval, Council has a free development advice service you can contact for further information.”

To find out more and whether you need approval for works, check the links below:

bmcc.nsw.gov.au/do-i-need-approval/development-types
bmcc.nsw.gov.au/do-i-need-approval/a-z-of-development
bmcc.nsw.gov.au/residents/development/developing-land/development-advice