Contents
Executive Summary
The NSW Property Intelligence Platform comprises two complementary web applications designed to provide comprehensive analysis of property development activity across New South Wales. The system aggregates official development application data from all 127 NSW councils through the state government’s Planning Portal API, presenting this information through both statistical analysis tools and interactive geographic visualization.
The platform serves as a professional intelligence tool for property development analysis, urban planning research, and market assessment. It processes real government data with daily updates, maintaining current information on development applications (DAs) and Complying Development Certificates (CDCs) across the state.
Data Architecture and Sources
Primary Data Sources
The platform accesses three primary government data sources to ensure comprehensive coverage and accuracy:
- NSW Planning Portal API (api.apps1.nsw.gov.au/eplanning/data/v0/) – The official repository for all development applications processed by NSW councils. This is the same system used by council staff for application management.
- NSW Spatial Services – Provides authoritative cadastral boundaries, property lot definitions, and zoning information from the state’s spatial data infrastructure.
- Planning Portal Spatial API – Delivers property-specific planning controls, development standards, and planning instrument details for individual lots.
Data Collection Methodology
Automated Collection Process:
- Daily execution of 127 separate API queries, one for each NSW council, ensuring complete geographic coverage
- Data validation and integrity checking with automated error detection and retry mechanisms
- Database storage in Supabase (PostgreSQL) with appropriate indexing for query performance
- Multi-level caching implementation with configurable time-to-live settings based on data type
Data Quality Assurance
The platform implements comprehensive quality control measures:
- Automated duplicate detection and resolution
- Data schema validation against government API specifications
- Business rule validation for logical consistency
- Complete audit trail logging with timestamp and error tracking
- Regular data accuracy verification against source APIs
Market Analytics Platform
Platform URL: charts.plotdetect.com.au
Functional Capabilities
The analytics platform provides statistical analysis and visualization tools for development application data. Users can examine trends, patterns, and comparative metrics across councils, time periods, and development types.
Development Application Analysis
- Statistical dashboards showing application volumes, approval rates, and processing times
- Cost analysis and development value distribution
- Development type classification and trend analysis
- Geographic distribution analysis with regional comparisons
- Historical trend visualization with seasonal pattern identification
Council Performance Metrics
- Comparative analysis across all 127 NSW councils
- Processing time benchmarking and efficiency metrics
- Application volume analysis and workload assessment
- Approval rate comparison and determination patterns
- Cost threshold analysis by local government area
Data Views and Filtering
The platform provides multiple data perspectives through interactive filtering:
- Temporal Filtering: Configurable date ranges with preset options (7 days, 30 days, custom ranges)
- Geographic Filtering: Single or multiple council selection with regional grouping options
- Application Type Filtering: Separate analysis of DAs and CDCs with combined views
- Cost Threshold Filtering: Development value ranges for targeted analysis
- Development Category Filtering: Classification-based analysis (residential, commercial, industrial)
Export and Integration Features
- CSV data export for external analysis in Excel, R, or other analytical tools
- Chart image export for reporting and presentation purposes
- Configurable data views with saved filter preferences
- Direct navigation to map viewer for geographic investigation of identified trends
Interactive Map Viewer
Access Method: Via header navigation from analytics platform
Core Functionality
The map viewer provides geographic visualization of development activity combined with comprehensive property intelligence tools. Users can investigate individual properties, examine local development patterns, and access detailed planning information.
Interactive Property Investigation
- Click-to-investigate functionality for any NSW property
- Comprehensive property details including lot information, zoning, and planning controls
- Development standards display (height limits, FSR, setbacks)
- Planning instrument identification with direct links to source documents
- Heritage and environmental overlay information
Development Activity Mapping
- Real-time visualization of DA and CDC locations
- Color-coded markers distinguishing application types and status
- Marker clustering for performance optimization at scale
- Toggle controls for DA/CDC display with filtering options
- Council boundary overlay for administrative context
Search and Navigation Tools
- Address Search: NSW-restricted geocoding with autocomplete functionality for precise location identification
- Property Boundary Display: Accurate lot boundaries overlaid on Google Maps base layers
- Zoom Controls: Multi-scale viewing from state-wide overview to individual property detail
- Layer Management: Toggle controls for different data layers and overlays
Planning Data Integration
The map viewer integrates comprehensive planning information from multiple government sources:
- Zoning classifications from Local Environmental Plans (LEPs)
- Development Control Plan (DCP) references and links
- Regional plan identification and policy context
- Planning agreement (Voluntary Planning Agreement – VPA) indicators
- Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC) area identification
- Building Code of Australia (BCA) classification information
Technical Implementation
System Architecture
The platform utilizes modern web technologies optimized for performance and scalability:
- Frontend Framework: Next.js 14.1.0 with React 18.2.0 for responsive application delivery
- Database System: Supabase (PostgreSQL) with row-level security and real-time capabilities
- Mapping Technology: Google Maps JavaScript API with Places, Geometry, and Geocoding libraries
- State Management: Zustand for application state management and data flow control
- Data Processing: Automated ETL pipeline with error handling and retry mechanisms
Performance Specifications
Data Updates: Daily automated refresh from all 127 council sources
Concurrent Users: Multi-user capability with shared caching architecture
Mobile Support: Responsive design optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
Browser Compatibility: Modern browsers with ES6+ JavaScript support
Caching and Optimization
- Multi-level caching strategy with configurable TTL settings
- Database query optimization with appropriate indexing
- Marker clustering for map performance at scale
- Progressive loading for large datasets
- CDN utilization for static assets and images
Operational Workflows
Market Research Workflow
Recommended process for comprehensive market analysis:
- Begin with analytics platform to identify councils or regions with significant development activity
- Analyze cost distributions and development types in areas of interest
- Transition to map viewer to examine specific geographic locations within identified regions
- Investigate individual properties to understand local planning constraints and opportunities
- Review nearby development applications for market context and precedent analysis
- Return to analytics platform for comparative analysis with other regions or time periods
Site Due Diligence Workflow
Systematic approach to property investigation:
- Use address search in map viewer to locate the specific property of interest
- Review comprehensive property details including lot boundaries, zoning, and development controls
- Examine local development activity patterns through nearby DA and CDC markers
- Analyze planning framework including LEP, DCP, and regional plan context
- Switch to analytics platform to understand broader council trends and processing patterns
- Compare with similar properties or development types in other council areas
Development Monitoring Workflow
Ongoing monitoring of development activity:
- Define geographic area of interest using map viewer boundaries
- Establish baseline development activity levels using analytics platform
- Implement regular review schedule for both platforms to track new activity
- Monitor changes in development patterns, application volumes, and approval rates
- Document trends and patterns for strategic planning purposes
Professional Applications
Property Development Sector
- Site Acquisition Analysis: Assessment of development potential and market conditions for land acquisition decisions
- Feasibility Studies: Market activity analysis to support development feasibility and timing decisions
- Competitor Analysis: Monitoring of competitor development activity and strategic positioning
- Market Timing: Analysis of development cycles and optimal timing for project initiation
- Cost Benchmarking: Comparative analysis of development costs across regions and project types
Urban Planning and Government
- Policy Development: Evidence-based analysis to support planning policy formulation
- Infrastructure Planning: Development pattern analysis for infrastructure demand forecasting
- Performance Monitoring: Council performance assessment and process improvement identification
- Regional Analysis: Cross-council comparison and regional development pattern analysis
- Compliance Monitoring: Tracking of development application processing against statutory timeframes
Investment and Financial Analysis
- Investment Research: Market activity assessment for property investment decision support
- Risk Assessment: Development pattern analysis for investment risk evaluation
- Portfolio Analysis: Geographic diversification analysis and portfolio optimization
- Due Diligence: Comprehensive property and market intelligence for acquisition decisions
- Market Valuation: Development activity context for property valuation and assessment
Professional Services
- Client Advisory: Data-driven insights for planning, legal, and property advisory services
- Market Research: Comprehensive market analysis for client reporting and strategic advice
- Planning Strategy: Development application strategy based on local approval patterns and trends
- Expert Testimony: Evidence-based analysis for planning appeals and development assessment
Data Verification and Accuracy
Independent Verification
All data presented by the platform can be independently verified against the source government APIs. This ensures transparency and allows users to confirm the accuracy of any information used in their analysis.
-H “filters: {\”filters\”:{\”CouncilName\”:[\”BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL\”], \
\”DeterminationDateFrom\”:\”2025-05-08\”,\”DeterminationDateTo\”:\”2025-06-07\”, \
\”ApplicationStatus\”:[\”Determined\”]}}”
Data Accuracy Measures
- Direct API integration with government systems eliminates transcription errors
- Daily data refresh ensures currency of information
- Automated validation against government data schemas
- Complete audit trail for all data collection and processing activities
- Error logging and monitoring for data quality assurance
Limitations and Considerations
- Data availability is dependent on council submission to the Planning Portal API
- Some councils may have delays in updating their systems, affecting data currency
- Historical data availability varies by council and date range
- Planning information accuracy is dependent on government spatial data updates
Access Information
Current Availability
Both platforms are currently available for public access without registration requirements. Users can access full functionality immediately for evaluation and professional use. This open access model allows for immediate assessment of the platform’s utility for specific professional requirements.
Technical Support and Customization
- Professional Consultation: contact@plotdetect.com.au for detailed technical inquiries
- Enterprise Solutions: Custom development and white-label implementations available
- API Documentation: Technical documentation available for integration requirements
- Training and Support: Professional training available for organizational implementation
Future Development
The platform continues to evolve based on user requirements and government data availability. Future enhancements may include additional data sources, extended historical coverage, automated alerting systems, and enhanced analytical capabilities.