Services / Strata and remedial works

Strata & Remedial Works — NSW

Remedial and rectification works to existing buildings — especially strata buildings — often run into planning questions the engineering scope does not answer. Does the work need consent? What happens when the building already exceeds today's height or floor space controls? How should the owners corporation respond to a council notice? Greiss Planning handles the planning side for remedial engineers, building consultants and strata managers, so the works can proceed on a sound approval footing.

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Last updated: 13 October 2026 · Written by Dr George Greiss

Planners marking up plans for remedial works to an existing building

Where planning meets remedial work

Remedial projects are usually scoped by engineers and managed by strata managers or project managers. The planning questions tend to surface later — when a builder asks whether consent is needed, when council issues a notice, or when an older building turns out to sit well outside today's controls. Getting the planning position settled early keeps the works on programme and avoids approvals being challenged after the fact.

What we do

  • Approval pathway review — whether the works are exempt development, can proceed under a complying development certificate, or need a development application, based on the engineering scope.
  • Development applications for remedial works — Statements of Environmental Effects and DA management for façade, structural, waterproofing, balcony, fire-separation and access works.
  • Clause 4.6 variations for older buildings — where an existing building already exceeds today's height, floor space or other development standards and the works affect them.
  • Council notices and orders — reviewing notices of intention and orders, including fire safety matters, preparing representations and working out a compliant path forward.
  • Building Information Certificates — regularising past unapproved works so they do not hold up remediation, refinancing or sale.
  • Modifications to existing consents — where the remedial scope changes an approved development.
  • Strata committee briefings — plain-English explanations of the planning position for committees and general meetings, so owners can make decisions.

How we work with your team

  1. Pathway review. We review the engineering scope, any council correspondence and the planning controls, and confirm the approval pathway and the risks.
  2. Coordination. We work alongside the remedial engineer, fire engineer, building surveyor and strata manager, so the planning documents match the technical scope.
  3. Lodgement and assessment. We prepare and lodge the application on the NSW Planning Portal and manage council requests through to determination.

Scope of our role

Our role is planning approvals. Remedial work on apartment buildings is also regulated under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, which requires registered design and building practitioners, and strata matters are governed by the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. We work alongside the engineers, practitioners and strata managers responsible for those areas; we do not provide engineering design or legal advice.

Related services

Dr George Greiss, Principal Planning Consultant, Greiss Planning

Dr George Greiss

Founder & Principal Planning Consultant · PhD Urban Planning · Adjunct Associate Professor, Western Sydney University

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Frequently asked questions

Does remedial work need a development application?

It depends on the work. Some repair and maintenance work is exempt development, some can proceed under a complying development certificate, and work that changes the building's external appearance, structure or use may need a development application. The answer turns on the engineering scope and the controls that apply, which is why a pathway review comes first.

Our building already exceeds the height or floor space limit. Can the works still be approved?

Often, yes. Many older strata buildings were approved under earlier controls and now exceed current development standards. Where the works affect those standards, a Clause 4.6 variation request can justify the contravention on environmental planning grounds. We assess whether that is realistic before the scope is finalised.

Council has issued a notice about our building. What should we do?

Act early. A notice of intention usually gives a short period to make representations before an order is issued. We review the notice, the building's approval history and the proposed remedial scope, and prepare a response that sets out a realistic, compliant path forward.

Do you work directly with owners corporations?

Yes, usually through the strata manager or the project's remedial engineer. We can brief the strata committee or a general meeting on the planning position so owners understand the pathway, the timeframe and the risks before they vote on works.

Do you provide engineering or legal advice?

No. Our role is planning approvals. Engineering design and the obligations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 sit with registered practitioners, and strata law questions sit with strata lawyers. We coordinate with them so the planning side fits the technical and legal scope.

Remedial works with a planning question?

Send through the address, the engineering scope and any council correspondence. We will advise on the approval pathway and provide a fixed-fee quote.

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