Pre-Application Meetings (PAM)

Early discussions with Council officers can help reduce delays and avoid submitting incomplete development applications.

We recommend contacting the Gateway Planning Team to check if your proposal would benefit from a pre-application meeting (PAM).

These meetings help identify development opportunities, site constraints and potential solutions. While Council officers can provide general guidance, they cannot confirm whether any non-compliances will be supported or give timeframes for determining a development application.

Why book a PAM?

Experience shows that many delays in the development assessment process are caused by missing information or uncertainty about local planning controls. A PAM can help you better understand what’s required before you lodge your application.

Meeting guidelines

All PAMs are held virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Each meeting will focus on one site only.
Meetings are scheduled once we receive your completed PAM form and proposed plans by email.
Please include the site’s legal description (Lot and DP/SP).
Additional supporting information must be submitted at least 7 days before the meeting to allow officers time to review your proposal.
Meetings usually run for one hour. Council officers may recommend a follow-up meeting if further discussion is needed.

PAM FAQ's

How much does a PAM cost?

From 1 July 2022, Blacktown City Council introduced fees for all pre-application meetings (PAMs).

You can view the current fees in our Goods and Services Pricing Schedule.

For more information, contact the Gateway Planning Team on (02) 5300 6000.

How to book a PAM

Complete the PAM form(PDF, 196KB).
Email the form and required plans to council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au.
A Council officer will contact you to arrange a virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams.
Once payment is received, your meeting will be confirmed and booked for the next available date and time. You will receive a Microsoft Teams invitation by email.

Will Council support any variations to the Planning Controls?

Council officers cannot confirm or guarantee support for any proposed variations to planning policies, controls or guidelines during a pre-application meeting (PAM).

Any proposed variations will be considered as part of a detailed assessment once a development application is formally lodged.

If you are seeking a variation, Council officers will advise you of the supporting information required to accompany your application.

What information do I need to provide when booking a PAM?

Please refer to the Request a PAM form for details on the information you need to include with your submission.

Note: The more detail you provide about your proposal, the more useful and targeted our advice will be. We are unable to provide feedback on ideas or concepts introduced during the meeting. Please ensure your plans and supporting documents are prepared in advance, so our officers can review any key issues beforehand.

How long is a PAM?

Pre-application meetings (PAMs) are normally scheduled for one hour.

If your proposal is complex or further discussion is needed, Council officers may recommend a second PAM to address issues raised in the initial meeting.

How, when and where is a PAM held?

Your pre-application meeting (PAM) will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams with Council officers from relevant disciplines.

Meetings are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

How long do I need to wait for a PAM booking?

We will contact you within 5 business days of receiving your booking request.

Meeting times will depend on the complexity of your proposal and the availability of relevant Council officers. We will schedule your PAM as soon as possible after reviewing your submission.

How many people can I bring to my PAM?

Pre-application meetings (PAMs) are held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

A maximum of five representatives may attend on behalf of the applicant. To help the meeting run smoothly, we recommend nominating one spokesperson to lead the discussion.

Can I talk to a planner before booking a PAM?

You can speak briefly with the Duty Town Planner to discuss key aspects of your proposal before lodging a PAM request.

To contact the Duty Planner:

Call (02) 5300 6000 during office hours, or
Visit the Gateway Counter on the ground floor of the Civic Centre, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Note: Only general planning advice can be provided over the phone or at the counter.

Who will attend my PAM?

When your Microsoft Teams meeting is booked, relevant and experienced Council officers will attend based on the nature of your proposal.

Depending on the issues involved, this may include:

Town Planners
Civil Engineers
Traffic Management Officers
Waste Management Officers
Environmental Health Officers
Building Surveyors
City Architect
Biodiversity Officers
Other specialist officers, as required

Will my PAM be confidential?

All pre-application meetings (PAMs) are treated as commercial-in-confidence.

Will I receive a PAM Report?

A Council officer will attend your meeting to take notes. After the meeting, you will receive a written report summarising the matters discussed.

We aim to provide your PAM report within 15 business days. This will be emailed to the address provided on your booking request form.

What will my PAM Report include?

The report will include a summary of the matters discussed during the meeting, along with other relevant information to help you prepare your development application.

Who might I need to consult with externally to Council before I attend a PAM?

Your proposed development or site may be classified as integrated development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, or it may involve matters that require input from other government authorities under various NSW legislation.

You are strongly encouraged to seek early advice from any relevant external authority before booking a pre-application meeting (PAM).

Below are links to key external government and regulatory authorities that may be involved in the assessment of your proposal: