Council Experience
Strong Connections, Real Impacts
We’re proud of the many strong results obtained for our clients across a range of metropolitan and regional local government areas. Each success story reflects our commitment to achieving fair, balanced and sensitive planning outcomes for communities — ensuring new development enhances, rather than hampers the enjoyment of public and private property.
Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling house, including swimming pool
Address: No. 65 Belmont Rd, MOSMAN
Application: DA-8.2025.74.1
Services Provided: DA Deficiency Audit & Principal Objection
Impact Risks
Lack of building separation along the side boundary would have led to an oppressive built form, potentially leaving the adjacent neighbour feeling ‘hemmed-in’.
Elimination of winter solar access to numerous habitable rooms, including living areas of our Client’s home.
First-floor elevated balcony raised concerns around excessive noise impacts, potentially offering ample space for large gatherings to occur.
Determination: After the applicant’s first DA was refused following Council siding with iObject's evaluation, agreeing on a number of fronts; this second application faced similar hurdles and was ultimately withdrawn before Council could determine it by way of refusal.
What iObject Achieved
Maintained the character of the existing streetscape, whilst protecting winter sunlight, acoustic privacy and visual amenity for our Client’s adjacent home.
New Dwelling House - Demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new two-storey dwelling with basement parking
Address: No. 99 Manning Rd, WOOLLAHRA
Application: DA513/2024
Services Provided: DA Deficiency Audit & Principal Objection
Impact Risks
Total elimination of Client’s sunlight to key living spaces and outdoor recreational areas, affecting the enjoyment of these frequently used spaces.
Numerous windows overlooking the neighbour’s rear garden area.
Design deficiencies which disregarded common elements that underpinned the local character and charm of the area.
Determination: Council ultimately agreed with iObject’s evaluation of the solar access, privacy and character issues, citing them as reasons for refusing the DA.
What iObject Achieved
Our Client was able to continue to enjoy the features of their home as per usual, with the determination preserving existing privacy and building setbacks, along with solar access.
Councils
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Demolition works and construction of a new four-storey residential flat building
Address: No. 5 Lauderdale Ave, FAIRLIGHT
Application: DA-8.2025.74.1
Services Provided: DA Deficiency Audit & Principal Objection (Group); Court Representation (Group)
Impact Risks
The proposed development would have largely eliminated solar access to numerous habitable rooms and balconies, including living areas of our Client’s property, plunging some residents into darkness throughout winter.
Building footprint (rear setback) effectively creating a new protrusion that would have caused view loss and overlooking into the adjacent balconies.
Building height and gross floor area exceedances that would have created a visually confronting or bulky built for, preventing outlook towards the sky, especially for lower floor residents.
Determination: Council sided with iObject's evaluation, agreeing on a number of fronts - determining the application via refusal. The DA later proceeded to appeal via the Land & Environment Court, involving iObject’s continual representation of our Clients. Significant design changes ensued as part of an approval judgement, when amended plans were brought to the Court.
What iObject Achieved
The final court-approved plans saw several major improvements, including reduction in overall scale, retention of neighbouring solar access, and full resolution of the setback issue. Building bulk would better step-down the slope towards the Harbour, whilst addressing view loss non-compliances.
Alterations and additions to existing dwelling, demolition of existing and construction of new swimming pool and associated works
Address: No. 24 Locksley Street KILLARA
Application: eDA0183/24
Services Provided: DA Deficiency Audit & Principal Objection
Impact Risks
The proposal for an expansive elevated terrace raised overlooking concerns into our Client’s dwelling. The location and size of numerous rear and side-facing windows would have seriously compromised our Client’s ability to enjoy their living areas privately.
Lack of building separation along the side boundary would have led to an oppressive built form.
A number of design choices would have competed with the original form of the historic principal building, whilst towering over our Client’s home.
The additions would have made a significant mark on the surrounding streetscape context, negatively affecting adjacent heritage-listed dwellings.
Determination: Council sided with iObject's evaluation of the problematic DA, agreeing on a number of fronts. Council subsequently requested the applicant withdraw their application, thus eliminating the proposal in its submitted form.
What iObject Achieved
Ensured the surrounding streetscape character and heritage values of Locksley Street were preserved, whilst protecting the amenity of our Client’s adjacent home in terms of privacy and building separation.
Testimonials
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I engaged iObject at a late stage of the exhibition period to assess a neighbour's proposal to modify an existing DA. I was very satisfied with the process: from the speed with which they got back to me to schedule a video call to a site visit to see our concerns, to the audit they produced and the drafting of the submission which captured all our concerns professionally, to final submission. I would certainly recommend iObject (Matthew and Sebastian) and if the modified DA is further amended or put to a Panel, I will certainly engage iObject further.
- John Lee (Homeowner, Sydney)
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The best! Impeccable knowledge and integrity and a wonderfully detailed objection written on my behalf. Frankly, knights in shining armour when I felt so disempowered. I struggled with understanding the detail of the development application and the process by which I could make a meaningful objection. I would give them ten stars if I could.
- Jude Allen (Homeowner, Waverley)
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The iObject team are incredibly knowledgeable & professional, with expertise that is unmatched and absolutely necessary if you want to protect your home. My neighbor's DA if approved & built would have turned my "sun drenched terrace" into a long dark cave with all my North facing windows looking out at a concrete wall. iObject's submission to council was so thorough and bulletproof (I loved how many times they used the word catastrophic) the neighbor's submission was completely rejected and the property is now on the market. I wish I'd had iObject 10 years ago when the council first got tired of rejecting the neighbors amendments to a DA with 10+ regulatory breaches. It would have saved me a decade of stress. It's not a cheap endeavor, but this is work you cannot do yourself if you want to stand any chance of winning, and you can't rely on council to protect your rights or your home.
- Suzy McEvoy (Homeowner, North Sydney)
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