Learn more

• Complying development certificate | NSW Planning Portal 
• Development application | NSW Planning Portal
• Section 10.7 certificate | NSW Planning Portal

All your utilities and services to your property will need to be disconnected by licensed professionals prior to demolition. This involves removing the supply line and other electrical assets from the site.

It is recommended you lodge a free pre-demolition enquiry with Before You Dig Australia (BDYA). The online service can provide you with information on the underground networks and infrastructure that could be on your site.  

Essential utilities and services include the supply of:

• gas
• water
• sewerage
• telecommunications
• electricity
• chemicals, fuel and refrigerant in pipes or lines.

Services, like gas and internet, can be disconnected by calling your supply company. 

Your demolition contractor typically manages the disconnection of water, sewerage and potential hazards in pipes or lines. It is the principal contractor’s responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that remaining active essential services at the workplace are without risks to health and safety.

Non-compliance penalties can apply if all services and utilities are not properly disconnected from the property before demolition. 

Learn more

• Pre-excavation tips for homeowners | BYDA

After your DA or CDC is approved, you must notify neighbours (within 20m from the boundary of the development lot) before starting the demolition work .

It is your responsibility as a homeowner to notify neighbours before construction begins. Notification needs to be in writing. 

If you live in a metropolitan area, you must give your neighbours at least seven days' notice. If you live in rural, regional or residential release areas, you must give your neighbours two days' notice. 

Learn more

• Guide to neighbourhood notification | NSW Planning Portal

Temporary fencing around the property must be installed for security and safety reasons. Fence signage should include NSW Government and demolition contractor contact information. 

Any temporary structures (such as scaffolding) located on public land or on or over a public road must have separate approval from your local council or Transport for NSW. 

If you are demolishing a swimming pool, any piping must be removed, and the site restored to ground level with compacted fill.

Demolition happens in stages and the timeframe for completion will vary depending on site conditions, complexity and weather.

Your building will be cleared of any non-load bearing elements, and any hazardous materials should have already been removed before applying for development consent. 

Demolition is dangerous work. Ensure you check who is liable if workers are injured. The owner-builder or principal contractor is primarily responsible for managing health and safety on site, followed by any subcontractors in control of the task at the time of an accident.

Owner builders and/or principal contractors must ensure any sub-contractors provide details of:

• safe work method statements (SWMS)
• high-risk work licences
• workers compensation insurance
• public liability insurance
• any other relevant documents.

If no asbestos or contamination, go to step 3.8.   

If your demolition contractor finds any unexpected contaminants during the demolition, consult your local council. 

The principal contractor must arrange the removal of any asbestos found during demolition. They must notify SafeWork NSW and use a licensed asbestos removalist if there’s more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos. Some demolition companies are also licensed to remove asbestos. 

Note: It is legal to remove some non-friable asbestos yourself, but it is strongly recommended you employ a licensed removalist because there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Remember, not all asbestos is visible.

If your demolition contractor finds asbestos during the demolition, a clearance certificate is needed to reopen the work site. Once asbestos removal is completed by licensed professionals, independent asbestos assessors will issue the clearance certificate. 

There may be other hidden hazards, such as silica dust released from engineered stone benchtops, sandstone and concrete. You may need more than one clearance certificate if hazards, like silica dust, are present. Silica dust can be present throughout the entire project.

When the site is clear of hazards and relevant clearance certificates are issued, the site can be reoccupied, and demolition work can resume. 

Demolishing a house generates a wide range of waste materials, including:

• excavated clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock 
• asphalt
• bricks
• concrete
• plasterboard
• timber
• trees and vegetation
• asbestos
• contaminated soil
• other materials and hazards. 

Your demolition contractor should have a waste management plan that includes recycling. 

Consider asking for proof that a contractor or subcontractor lawfully transports and disposes of the waste before payment. If they are aware of this requirement, it’s in their interest to do the right thing. 

Ensure you notify the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) if you suspect waste has not been lawfully disposed of. 

Learn more

• Construction and demolition waste | EPA

Before construction begins on your newly cleared land, site security is required to prevent access to a construction site that has hazards, such as open pits, uneven surfaces and potentially exposed utilities. 

Maintaining adequate fencing with signage around the perimeter of the building site ensures the site is secure and may also prevent any illegal dumping on your property.