Vaucluse
39 DAs lodged · last 90 daysMarket Intelligence
DAs Lodged
39↑
past 90 days · NSW Planning Portal
Professionals
—
covering this suburb
Median Project Value
$494,000
DAs lodged, past 90 days
Median Approval Time
78 days
approved DAs, last 12 months
As of 14 July 2026, Vaucluse recorded 39 — Development applications lodged in Vaucluse in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Vaucluse recorded $494,000 — Median estimated cost of development for DAs lodged in Vaucluse in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Vaucluse recorded 78 days — Median lodgement-to-determination time for approved DAs in Vaucluse, last 12 months (NSW Planning Portal)
Verified Professionals
Professionals in Vaucluse
No professionals listed in Vaucluse yet.
Browse all professionals →DA Pipeline
Recent Development Applications
Total dev. value
$20,914,619
Development types
Source
NSW Planning Portal
PAN-649311
Modification Application20A NEW SOUTH HEAD ROAD VAUCLUSE 2030
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
$3,753,915
3-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-649633
14 HOPETOUN AVENUE VAUCLUSE 2030
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
$6,503,038
4-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-653070
14 THE CRESCENT VAUCLUSE 2030
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
$28,000
1-storey
PAN-651807
Modification Application9 SERPENTINE PARADE VAUCLUSE 2030
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
$29,920
1 new dwelling
PAN-652180
20 BURRABIRRA AVENUE VAUCLUSE 2030
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommoda…
$2,332,000
PAN-650768
Modification Application18 KINGS ROAD VAUCLUSE 2030
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
4-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-648888
Modification Application36 COOLONG ROAD VAUCLUSE 2030
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
$7,728,846
3-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-651555
Modification Application179 HOPETOUN AVENUE VAUCLUSE 2030
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise
$45,000
1-storey · 1 new dwelling
Be the first to know.
39 development applications are active in Vaucluse right now.
New builds, renovations, subdivisions and commercial developments — before anyone else.
Are you a builder or architect working in Vaucluse?
List your business on DBS →Local Intel
Guides for Vaucluse
Find professionals in Vaucluse
Browse all pros →Builders Vaucluse: Find Verified Professionals and Track Development in the 2030 Postcode
Planning a build or renovation in Vaucluse and not sure which builders understand Woollahra Council's strict controls, or what it will actually cost on a sloped harbour block?
Vaucluse Development Activity Snapshot
Vaucluse sits within Woollahra Municipal Council, one of Sydney's most closely governed LGAs for residential development. The suburb's combination of steep topography, coastal exposure, heritage overlays, and a high-value property stock means development activity here skews heavily toward premium renovations, additions, and bespoke new builds rather than volume residential construction.
The 9,590 individual taxpayers recorded in Vaucluse carry an average taxable income of $239,974 (ATO, latest available year), a figure that directly shapes the standard of finish, materials, and project management this market demands. Builders who work regularly in neighbouring Bellevue Hill, Double Bay, Woollahra, and Paddington understand this expectation; those who do not routinely underestimate scope and budget.
Income figures: ATO Individual Tax Statistics, Vaucluse (2030). Development type commentary based on Woollahra Municipal Council published DA registers.
Cost to Build in Vaucluse: What Drives the $/m² Higher
Build costs in Vaucluse are indicative only and vary considerably by project type, site conditions, and specification level. The figures below are provided as a planning reference, attributed to ABS construction cost data and local industry benchmarks, and should not be treated as quotes or guarantees.
- Standard residential renovation or addition: Indicative $3,500-$5,500/m² (ABS-attributed, indicative)
- High-specification new build with harbour aspect: Indicative $5,500-$9,000+/m² (ABS-attributed, indicative, reflects premium finishes and complex engineering)
- Granny flat or secondary dwelling: Indicative $2,800-$4,500/m² (ABS-attributed, indicative, subject to site access and slope)
Several cost factors are uniquely acute in Vaucluse. Site slope and excavation on harbour-facing blocks frequently require engineered retaining walls, rock anchoring, and specialised plant, earthworks alone can represent 15-25% of total project cost on a steep allotment. Coastal construction requirements (corrosion-resistant fixings, treated timbers, appropriate glazing specifications) add further cost. Heritage and streetscape controls under Woollahra's Development Control Plan can require design iterations that extend pre-construction costs. And the premium finishes expected in the 2030 postcode, reflected in the suburb's average taxable income of $239,974 (ATO, latest available year), mean that specification creep is a real budget risk for owners who start with a mid-market brief and adjust upward mid-project.
Use our build cost calculator for a project-specific estimate, or browse current material prices to pressure-test your budget assumptions.
DA Approvals in Vaucluse: Council, Timing, and What Slows Things Down
All development applications for Vaucluse properties are assessed by Woollahra Municipal Council. The council operates under the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and its associated Development Control Plans, which carry some of the most detailed residential design standards in New South Wales.
Common causes of delay in Woollahra DA determinations include:
- Heritage and conservation area referrals: A significant portion of Vaucluse streetscapes are affected by heritage listings or conservation area controls. Applications that inadequately address visual impact, materials, or setback from the street face referral to council's heritage adviser, adding weeks to the assessment clock.
- Neighbour notification periods: Woollahra's notification requirements are among the more extensive in Sydney. Objections, common in high-value suburbs where neighbours are motivated and legally represented, can trigger additional assessment rounds.
- Insufficient pre-lodgement preparation: Applications lodged without a pre-lodgement meeting, or without adequate shadow diagrams, BASIX certificates, and landscape plans, are frequently returned for additional information (RAI), resetting determination timelines.
- Coastal and flooding overlays: Properties near the harbour foreshore may trigger referrals to NSW Department of Planning or other agencies for coastal hazard or flooding assessment.
Builders and architects with an established track record across Woollahra, Bellevue Hill, and Paddington are significantly better positioned to prepare compliant applications from the first lodgement. Browse the Vaucluse professional directory to find practitioners with documented Woollahra Council experience.
Vaucluse: Project Type, Indicative Cost, and Approval Timeframes
| Project Type | Indicative Cost Range | Notes on Approval Time |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey addition or renovation | $3,500-$5,500/m² (indicative, ABS-attributed) | DA typically required; heritage referral likely in conservation areas; allow additional time for notification period |
| Two-storey new build or knockdown rebuild | $5,500-$9,000+/m² (indicative, ABS-attributed) | Full DA required; shadow, view, and streetscape analysis standard; pre-lodgement meeting strongly recommended |
| Granny flat / secondary dwelling | $2,800-$4,500/m² (indicative, ABS-attributed) | Complying development possible on eligible sites; full DA required where site or design falls outside CDC criteria |
| Swimming pool or landscaping (major) | Project-specific; indicative $80k-$300k+ (ABS-attributed) | DA or CDC depending on pool size and proximity to boundaries; engineering report likely on sloped sites |
| Internal fitout or cosmetic renovation | $1,500-$3,000/m² (indicative, ABS-attributed) | May not require DA; confirm with council whether heritage listing triggers consent requirements for internal work |
All figures are indicative only, ABS-attributed, and reflect the Vaucluse (2030) market context as at the date of publication. Approval timeframe notes are qualitative guidance based on Woollahra Municipal Council published processes; individual project timelines will vary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Building in Vaucluse
What is the typical cost to build in Vaucluse, NSW?
Build costs in Vaucluse are among the highest in Sydney, driven by steep topography, coastal engineering requirements, heritage controls, and the premium finishes expected in the 2030 postcode. Indicative rates range from approximately $3,500/m² for a straightforward renovation to $9,000+/m² for a high-specification harbour-view new build (ABS-attributed, indicative). Budget separately for earthworks and pre-DA design costs.
How long does DA approval take with Woollahra Municipal Council for a Vaucluse property?
Woollahari Municipal Council DA timelines vary by project complexity. Heritage referrals, neighbour objections, and incomplete applications are the most common causes of delay in this LGA. A well-prepared application with pre-lodgement consultation, full supporting documentation, and a builder or architect experienced in Woollahra's DCP will consistently achieve faster determinations than a cold lodgement.
Can I build a granny flat on my Vaucluse property?
Secondary dwellings in Vaucluse may be approved via complying development (CDC) or a full DA, depending on your site's zoning, lot size, and any heritage overlays. Properties within conservation areas or with heritage listings typically cannot use the CDC pathway and require a full council assessment. Confirm your site's eligibility with Woollahra Municipal Council or a qualified certifier before committing to a design.
How do I choose the right builder for a Vaucluse renovation or new build?
In Vaucluse, prioritise builders with verifiable experience under Woollahra Municipal Council's development controls and a portfolio of completed projects in comparable Eastern Suburbs locations such as Bellevue Hill, Double Bay, or Paddington. Ask for evidence of on-time delivery on sloped or heritage-constrained sites, and verify licensing through NSW Fair Trading before signing any contract.
Do I need a DA for an internal renovation in Vaucluse?
Not all internal work requires a DA, many cosmetic renovations are exempt development under the NSW Housing Code. However, if your property is heritage-listed or within a Woollahra conservation area, even internal alterations affecting significant fabric may trigger a consent requirement. Always confirm with Woollahra Municipal Council or a registered certifier before commencing work to avoid stop-work orders.
Stay Ahead of Development Activity in Vaucluse
Whether you are a homeowner planning a future project, a trade contractor looking for leads, or an investor monitoring the 2030 postcode, sign up for free DA alerts for Vaucluse and receive notifications when new development applications are lodged with Woollahra Municipal Council near your property. Ready to find a builder or architect now? Browse the Vaucluse professional directory to connect with verified practitioners who know this suburb's council, topography, and standards.