Surry Hills
37 DAs lodged · last 90 daysMarket Intelligence
DAs Lodged
37↑
past 90 days · NSW Planning Portal
Professionals
—
covering this suburb
Median Project Value
$251,130
DAs lodged, past 90 days
Median Approval Time
34 days
approved DAs, last 12 months
As of 14 July 2026, Surry Hills recorded 37 — Development applications lodged in Surry Hills in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Surry Hills recorded $251,130 — Median estimated cost of development for DAs lodged in Surry Hills in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Surry Hills recorded 34 days — Median lodgement-to-determination time for approved DAs in Surry Hills, last 12 months (NSW Planning Portal)
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Recent Development Applications
Total dev. value
$42,939,149
Development types
Source
NSW Planning Portal
PAN-646789
29 DAVIES STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structu…
$612,066
3-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-650907
437-439 BOURKE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
$150,000
1-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-652472
20 RIDGE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
$88,000
2-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-653541
Modification Application71-111 COOPER STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
PAN-651874
Modification Application28 ALBION STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Commercial development; Hours of operation and trading
PAN-649901
101-103 DEVONSHIRE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and dri…
$18,379
PAN-649983
Modification Application7-15 RANDLE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail …
$41,397,104
PAN-650529
Modification Application49-51 FLINDERS STREET SURRY HILLS 2010
Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
3 new dwellings
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Guides for Surry Hills
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Browse all pros →Builders Surry Hills: renovation costs, DA approvals and how to find the right team for your terrace.
Surry Hills homeowners navigating heritage controls, tight laneways and City of Sydney planning rules need builders Surry Hills locals actually trust, and hard data before the first conversation.
Surry Hills development activity snapshot
Surry Hills sits within the Council of the City of Sydney LGA, one of the most active and scrutinised planning authorities in NSW. The suburb's housing stock is dominated by 19th-century terrace houses, Victorian-era workers cottages and inter-war commercial buildings converted to residential use, a mix that shapes every project type lodged with council.
The predominant development types in the 2010 postcode are terrace alterations and additions, rear extensions, rooftop additions, secondary dwellings, and ground-floor commercial-to-residential conversions. Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) overlays apply to the majority of streetscapes, meaning even modest works frequently require a full Development Application rather than a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).
The local demographic signals consistent demand for high-specification work: the Australian Taxation Office reports an average taxable income of $114,577 for Surry Hills (19,012 individuals; ATO Individual Tax Statistics, income year 2020-21). That figure sits well above the Sydney metropolitan median and aligns with a market that prioritises long-term asset value over entry-level finishes.
School quality reinforces the family-upgrade cycle that drives renovation demand. The average ICSEA score across the five government schools in postcode 2010 is 1,128, led by Sydney Girls High School at ICSEA 1,193 (ACARA My School data, 2023). Families competing for school catchment access invest heavily in functional, high-specification extensions that serve multi-generational households.
Want to know the moment a neighbour lodges a DA on your street? Get free DA alerts for Surry Hills and stay ahead of local development activity.
Renovation cost Surry Hills: what does it actually cost per m²?
The figures below are indicative only, derived from ABS Building Activity data and adjusted for inner-Sydney cost premiums. They are not quotes. Actual costs depend on heritage constraints, structural condition, finishes specification and site access.
- Terrace renovation (full internal refurbishment, no structural changes): approx. $2,800-$4,200/m² indicative, ABS Building Activity, NSW, 2023-24.
- Rear extension or addition (new build area): approx. $4,500-$7,500/m² indicative, ABS Building Activity, NSW, 2023-24. The upper end applies to heritage-sensitive interfaces requiring custom joinery, sandstone matching or heritage brickwork.
- Secondary dwelling / granny flat: approx. $3,500-$5,500/m² indicative, ABS Building Activity, NSW, 2023-24. Note that standard Complying Development pathways for secondary dwellings are frequently unavailable on heritage-listed Surry Hills lots; a DA is commonly required.
- Full terrace reconstruction or knockdown-rebuild: rarely approved in HCA zones; where permitted under Heritage Floor Space provisions, costs exceed $7,500/m² indicative, ABS Building Activity, NSW, 2023-24.
What drives costs higher in Surry Hills specifically?
- Heritage compliance: Matching 19th-century face brickwork, lime mortar repointing, timber window reinstatement and sandstone detailing add 15-25% to base build cost.
- Structural complexity: Most terraces share party walls. Any structural work requires a structural engineer's report, party wall agreements with neighbours and often underpinning assessments.
- Site access: Narrow laneways, no rear lane access and on-street parking restrictions increase crane and labour costs. Skip bin and material delivery logistics are non-trivial line items.
- Council fees and consultants: A DA in the City of Sydney LGA typically requires a Statement of Environmental Effects, a Heritage Impact Statement (for HCA properties), shadow diagrams, a BASIX certificate and sometimes an acoustic report, combined consultant fees of $8,000-$20,000 before a shovel moves.
Use our renovation cost calculator for a project-specific estimate, or check current material prices for Sydney inner-east.
DA approvals: City of Sydney assessment for Surry Hills projects
All Development Applications for Surry Hills are assessed by the Council of the City of Sydney under the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 and the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012. The City of Sydney is a consent authority that operates its own specialist heritage and urban design panels, distinct from the NSW Department of Planning.
What typically slows approval in this LGA?
- Heritage referrals: Properties within a Heritage Conservation Area or listed as individual heritage items are referred to the City of Sydney's Heritage Advisor. This adds a formal assessment step that is not negotiable and commonly extends determination timelines.
- Neighbour notification period: Standard DAs are publicly notified for 14 days. Contentious proposals, particularly those affecting streetscape character, solar access or view corridors, attract objections that trigger further assessment rounds.
- Incomplete applications: The City of Sydney issues a high rate of Request for Information (RFI) notices where applications are lodged without a complete Heritage Impact Statement or BASIX compliance documentation. Each RFI effectively resets the clock.
- Design Review Panel referral: Proposals above certain floor space thresholds or with complex urban design implications are referred to the Design Excellence Panel, adding 4-8 weeks.
City of Sydney DA approval timelines vary significantly for properties in heritage conservation zones. Straightforward terrace alterations with a well-prepared application package can achieve determination in under 40 days; complex additions involving heritage items or neighbour objections regularly exceed 120 days.
Tracking nearby DAs is one of the most effective ways to benchmark your own project scope and timeline. Sign up for free DA alerts for Surry Hills to monitor what council is approving on your street.
Surry Hills project types: indicative cost and approval time at a glance
| Project type | Indicative cost range (ABS, NSW, 2023-24) | Typical approval pathway | Indicative determination time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal terrace renovation (no structural change) | $2,800-$4,200/m² | CDC (if no heritage overlay) or DA | CDC: 10-20 days; DA: 40-80 days |
| Rear extension / addition | $4,500-$7,500/m² | DA (HCA lots) or CDC (non-heritage) | DA: 50-120 days |
| Secondary dwelling (granny flat) | $3,500-$5,500/m² | DA (most Surry Hills lots) | DA: 60-100 days |
| Rooftop addition | $5,500-$8,000/m² | DA required | DA: 70-130 days; panel referral possible |
| Full terrace reconstruction | $7,500+/m² | DA required; heritage report mandatory | DA: 90-180+ days |
All cost figures are indicative only (ABS Building Activity, NSW, 2023-24). Determination times are indicative based on City of Sydney DA assessment patterns; individual projects vary. Consult a registered builder or architect for project-specific advice.
Surry Hills homeowner questions answered
How much does a terrace renovation cost in Surry Hills?
Indicative costs run from $2,800 to $4,200/m² for internal refurbishment without structural changes, rising to $4,500-$7,500/m² for rear extensions (ABS Building Activity, NSW, 2023-24). Heritage compliance, party-wall agreements and limited site access consistently push Surry Hills projects toward the upper end of any range. Get a fixed-scope quote early.
How long does DA approval take with the City of Sydney?
Straightforward alterations to a Surry Hills terrace with a complete application typically determine in 40-80 days. Heritage referrals, neighbour objections or Design Review Panel involvement can push timelines beyond 120 days. Incomplete applications that trigger an RFI notice effectively restart the clock, making professional DA preparation a cost-effective investment.
Can I build a granny flat on my Surry Hills property?
Possibly, but the standard NSW Complying Development pathway for secondary dwellings is often unavailable on heritage-listed or HCA-affected Surry Hills lots. A full DA to the City of Sydney is typically required. Lot size, existing floor space ratio and heritage constraints all affect feasibility. Engage a local architect or town planner before committing to a design.
How do I choose a builder for a Surry Hills terrace renovation?
Prioritise builders with demonstrated City of Sydney DA experience and a portfolio of heritage terrace projects in Surry Hills, Paddington, Darlinghurst or Redfern. Verify their NSW contractor licence on the Service NSW register, request references from comparable terrace projects, and confirm they carry contract works and public liability insurance before signing anything.
Do Surry Hills heritage rules affect my renovation budget?
Yes, materially. Heritage Conservation Area controls require matching original face brickwork, lime mortar, timber joinery and period-appropriate detailing. These elements cost 15-25% more than standard finishes. A Heritage Impact Statement (mandatory for most DA applications in HCA zones) adds $3,000-$8,000 in consultant fees on top of standard DA preparation costs.
Ready to move forward on your Surry Hills project?
Whether you are scoping a terrace renovation, planning a rear extension or monitoring investment opportunities in the 2010 postcode, two tools will save you time and money: sign up for free DA alerts for Surry Hills to track every new application lodged near your property, and search the directory of builders and architects covering Surry Hills to find verified professionals with local heritage experience.