Certified, Council-Ready Surveys to Support Your Development Application

If your property is located within a flood-affected area, you will likely need a certified survey to support your development application (DA). At MCS Surveyors, we specialise in providing accurate, council-compliant DA support surveys tailored to flood-prone sites across Sydney and New South Wales. These surveys are essential for demonstrating that your proposed development meets floodplain planning controls and local council requirements.

Whether you are building a new home, planning a subdivision, or extending an existing dwelling, our team ensures your site data is accurate, compliant and ready for submission. With over 30 years of combined experience, we provide the expert support needed to progress your DA with confidence.

What Is a DA Support Survey for Flood-Affected Land?

A DA support survey for flood-affected land is a detailed land survey that captures existing ground levels and compares them to known flood data. The purpose is to demonstrate how your proposed development will comply with flood risk mitigation requirements set by your local council or certifying authority.

These surveys form a crucial part of the documentation package required for submitting a DA in flood-prone areas. They are typically used by engineers and planning consultants to prepare supporting flood assessments, determine minimum habitable floor levels, and design appropriate mitigation strategies such as raised slabs or flow-through construction.

By establishing the relationship between your site and relevant flood benchmarks, a DA support survey provides the data necessary to ensure your proposal is both safe and compliant.

When Do You Need a Flood-Related DA Survey?

You may require a DA support survey for flood-affected land if:

Your property is mapped within a designated flood zone

You are submitting a DA for a new dwelling, secondary dwelling, duplex, or granny flat

You are proposing an extension or renovation to an existing structure in a flood-affected area

You are preparing a subdivision or multi-lot development

You are applying for a change in land use or seeking rezoning

Council has issued a pre-lodgement report requesting flood data

You are applying for a building certificate or flood recovery grant

Each council may have different requirements based on their flood risk planning policies, but in all cases, accurate survey data is essential to support your submission.

What Is Included in Our DA Support Surveys?

MCS Surveyors provides comprehensive survey services tailored to the needs of flood-prone developments. Our DA support survey packages typically include:

A detailed on-site survey capturing natural ground levels, built features, and topographic detail

Identification of known flood level data using council maps, historical flood records, or hydraulic modelling

Comparison of your site’s levels to the one percent annual exceedance probability (1 percent AEP) flood level, commonly known as the one-in-100-year flood

Minimum finished floor level recommendations based on local development controls

Survey plans provided in PDF and CAD formats for submission to council and integration into engineering or architectural designs

Certification by a Registered Surveyor confirming compliance with required standards

All of our survey reports are clear, accurate, and prepared in accordance with the relevant guidelines, ensuring they are suitable for lodgement with your development application.

Why Choose MCS Surveyors?

Our team understand the complexity and time sensitivity involved in lodging a successful DA, particularly when flood risk is a factor. Our surveyors are fully qualified and experienced in working with flood-affected land across Greater Sydney and regional New South Wales.

We provide:

Registered Surveyors with extensive experience in flood-prone sites
Fast, efficient turnaround times to meet tight DA deadlines
Detailed, council-ready reports tailored to your site and development proposal

Local knowledge of planning controls, flood mapping, and submission requirements
Clear communication and collaboration with your project team

We have supported hundreds of residential, commercial, and infrastructure DAs with reliable survey data that meets the expectations of engineers, architects, certifiers and councils.

Supporting Your Project from Start to Finish

Our role goes beyond simply capturing ground levels. We work closely with your planning consultant, civil engineer, or architect to ensure that the survey data we provide aligns with the overall development strategy and submission requirements.

From initial consultation to final delivery, we support your project through:

Interpretation of council flood maps and development control plans
Coordination with flood engineers to assist with hydraulic modelling or flood assessments
Advice on site-specific development constraints and mitigation options

Follow-up surveys where updated documentation or redesigns are required
Ongoing communication to ensure your application progresses smoothly

Whether you are preparing a new DA or responding to council feedback, our team is here to support every step of the process.

DA Support Surveys for Flood-Affected Land