Tenterfield
39 DAs lodged · last 90 daysMarket Intelligence
DAs Lodged
39↑
past 90 days · NSW Planning Portal
Professionals
—
covering this suburb
Median Project Value
$44,861
DAs lodged, past 90 days
Median Approval Time
42 days
approved DAs, last 12 months
As of 14 July 2026, Tenterfield recorded 39 — Development applications lodged in Tenterfield in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Tenterfield recorded $44,861 — Median estimated cost of development for DAs lodged in Tenterfield in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Tenterfield recorded 42 days — Median lodgement-to-determination time for approved DAs in Tenterfield, last 12 months (NSW Planning Portal)
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Recent Development Applications
Total dev. value
$1,183,975
Development types
Source
NSW Planning Portal
PAN-653524
441-443 ROUSE STREET TENTERFIELD 2372
Shed; Erection of a new structure
$169,295
PAN-652016
332B MOUNT LINDESAY ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372
Shed; Erection of a new structure
$97,680
PAN-640880
68 WOOD STREET TENTERFIELD 2372
Shed; Temporary building, structure or use
$18,000
PAN-652298
SCRUB ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372
Subdivision
$11,000
PAN-650880
Modification ApplicationNEAGLES LANE TENTERFIELD 2372
Subdivision
$33,000
PAN-652142
52 COMMON ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372
Subdivision
$11,000
PAN-637791
27 HIGH STREET TENTERFIELD 2372
Shed; Erection of a new structure
$32,000
PAN-643349
Modification Application199 SCHRODERS ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
$292,000
1-storey · 1 new dwelling
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Planning a build or renovation in Tenterfield, NSW? Here is what local construction activity, council approval timelines, and indicative costs look like right now.
Tenterfield Construction Activity Snapshot
Tenterfield sits within the Tenterfield Shire Council local government area, serving a tight-knit community with a local population footprint of approximately 2,544 individuals (ATO Tax Stats, 2022-23). The local economy is value-conscious: the average taxable income in Tenterfield is $42,900, with a median of $34,752 (ATO Tax Stats, 2022-23). This shapes the construction market firmly toward durable, high-quality builds that prioritise long-term performance over short-term cost-cutting.
Development activity across the Tenterfield LGA spans residential new builds, rural outbuildings, minor dwelling alterations, and a growing segment of granny flat and secondary dwelling applications, driven in part by multigenerational households and rural lifestyle buyers from coastal NSW. Neighbouring localities including Bolivia, Drake, Mole River, and Tabulam add rural complexity to the DA pipeline: bushfire attack level (BAL) assessments, on-site water management plans, and off-grid utility connections are frequently required components of rural applications in this LGA.
Note: Specific DA volume and median project value figures for Tenterfield Shire are not included in the current data pack. Where council publishes updated development data, this page will be refreshed. Subscribe to free DA alerts for Tenterfield to be notified when new applications are lodged nearby.
Cost to Build in Tenterfield: What the Numbers Look Like
Build costs in Tenterfield are influenced by several locally specific factors that push rates above coastal metropolitan benchmarks in some categories, even while land values remain comparatively accessible.
- Materials transport: Tenterfield's elevated New England Tablelands location means materials sourced from Brisbane, Armidale, or the coast attract freight premiums. Projects in outlying areas like Drake or Mole River carry higher logistics costs again.
- Climate design requirements: At roughly 850-900 m above sea level, Tenterfield experiences significant winter frost and temperature extremes. Insulation ratings, roof load specifications, and subfloor designs must account for this, adding cost compared to lower-altitude regional builds.
- BAL compliance: A substantial proportion of rural lots in the Tenterfield Shire carry Bushfire Attack Level ratings. BAL-12.5 through BAL-FZ compliance requirements affect cladding, glazing, ember protection, and decking specifications, and can add $15,000-$60,000+ to a standard dwelling depending on rating and design.
- Trades availability: With a smaller local trades base than major regional centres, scheduling key subcontractors, framers, concreters, electricians, can extend build timelines and affect cost certainty.
Indicative $/m² ranges (labelled indicative only; source: ABS Building Activity data, methodology per ABS Cat. 8752.0; as-of: 2023-24 regional NSW benchmarks):
- Volume/project home build (standard spec): $1,850-$2,400/m²
- Custom residential build (mid-range): $2,400-$3,200/m²
- High-spec custom or BAL-rated rural build: $3,200-$4,500+/m²
- Renovation or extension (existing dwelling): $1,500-$2,800/m² (highly variable by scope)
These figures are indicative only and reflect regional NSW conditions. Your actual cost will depend on site-specific factors including slope, soil classification, BAL rating, and design complexity. Use our build cost calculator for a tailored estimate, or check current material prices.
DA Approvals in Tenterfield: Who Assesses, How Long It Takes
Development applications for residential and rural projects in Tenterfield are assessed by Tenterfield Shire Council. The council operates under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and applies the Tenterfield Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and associated Development Control Plans (DCPs).
Median determination days specific to Tenterfield Shire Council are not included in the current data pack. This field will be updated when council publishes current performance data. Subscribe to DA alerts to monitor lodgement and determination activity in real time.
What Typically Slows Approval in This LGA
- Incomplete bushfire reports: Rural Tenterfield lots frequently require a Bushfire Development Assessment Report from an accredited consultant. Missing or inadequate reports are a leading cause of requests for additional information (RAI) from council.
- On-site effluent disposal: Properties not connected to reticulated sewer, which includes most rural lots in Tabulam, Drake, and Bolivia, require a detailed On-Site Sewage Management (OSSM) assessment. This adds time and consultant cost to the pre-lodgement phase.
- Heritage considerations: Parts of central Tenterfield fall within heritage conservation areas. Alterations to existing dwellings or new builds adjacent to heritage items may require a Heritage Impact Statement, which adds a specialist consultant to the team.
- Referrals to external agencies: Applications near waterways, state roads, or within mapped biodiversity corridors may be referred to NSW Rural Fire Service, Roads and Maritime Services, or the Biodiversity Conservation Trust, each adding weeks to the statutory clock.
Engaging a builder or planning consultant with direct Tenterfield Shire Council experience before lodgement is the most reliable way to reduce RAI cycles. Find professionals covering Tenterfield in our directory.
Tenterfield Project Types: Cost & Approval Time at a Glance
| Project Type | Indicative Cost Range | Typical Approval Pathway | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single dwelling (standard lot) | $370,000-$640,000+ | DA, Tenterfield Shire Council | BAL assessment likely required outside town centre |
| Rural dwelling (acreage, Bolivia, Mole River) | $480,000-$900,000+ | DA, includes OSSM, BAL, engineering | Access road, water tank, power connection add cost |
| Granny flat / secondary dwelling | $120,000-$250,000 | CDC or DA depending on lot size and zoning | Secondary Dwellings SEPP applies; rural zones vary |
| Renovation / extension (heritage area) | $80,000-$350,000+ | DA, Heritage Impact Statement may apply | Central Tenterfield conservation area rules apply |
| Rural shed / outbuilding | $30,000-$120,000 | Exempt/Complying Development or DA | Size and use determine pathway; check LEP |
Cost ranges are indicative only, derived from ABS Building Activity regional NSW benchmarks (ABS Cat. 8752.0, 2023-24). Approval pathways reflect Tenterfield LEP and NSW planning legislation as of 2024. Confirm current pathways with Tenterfield Shire Council or a registered planning consultant.
Building in Tenterfield's Surrounding Localities
Tenterfield Shire extends across a diverse landscape. Each locality carries its own site-specific considerations:
- Bolivia: Elevated rural land with high frost exposure. Soil classification and subfloor design are critical. BAL ratings common on vegetated lots. No reticulated services, budget for water tanks, septic, and solar.
- Drake: Remote location in the Clarence River valley adds significant materials freight cost. Access tracks may require upgrade before construction can commence. Biodiversity corridor referrals are common.
- Mole River: Flood mapping may affect parts of the floodplain. Check Tenterfield Shire flood planning maps before purchasing or designing. Rural character zoning limits dwelling density.
- Tabulam: Proximity to the Clarence River system triggers water management requirements. Indigenous heritage assessment may be required for ground-disturbing works on rural lots. Off-grid infrastructure integration is standard for most builds.
Working with builders and architects who know this terrain, not those based in major cities unfamiliar with New England Tablelands conditions, is the single greatest risk-reduction step for rural Tenterfield projects. Browse our directory of professionals covering Tenterfield and surrounds.
Who Is Building in Tenterfield?
Tenterfield's 2,544-strong individual taxpayer base (ATO Tax Stats, 2022-23) skews toward value-conscious owner-occupiers and rural lifestyle buyers. With an average taxable income of $42,900 (ATO Tax Stats, 2022-23), the local market gravitates toward builds that are durable and energy-efficient over high-specification luxury finishes.
The community anchors around three schools, St Joseph's Primary (ICSEA 1,006), Tenterfield High School (ICSEA 914), and Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School (ICSEA 865), creating a family-focused demographic where home designs often prioritise functional living spaces, study areas, and resilient outdoor areas suited to the New England climate.
Renovation builders in Tenterfield are also in demand as the town's heritage residential stock, Federation-era and interwar homes that characterise the streetscape, reaches the age where thermal upgrades, structural repairs, and modern kitchen and bathroom fitouts become financially justified. The challenge is doing so without triggering heritage referral pathways unnecessarily. An experienced local builder or heritage-savvy architect is essential for this work.
Ready to move forward? Sign up for free DA alerts for Tenterfield to monitor new development applications in your area as they are lodged, useful for homeowners tracking neighbourhood change, trades seeking lead indicators, and investors watching land activity. Or find builders, architects, and drafters covering Tenterfield in our professional directory and connect with someone who knows this LGA.