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Australia · Shadow Diagram Service

Shadow Diagrams for
Australian DA Submissions.

Project-specific shadow diagrams for Australian development and planning applications. We review the state, local authority, development type and available planning requirements before confirming the shadow scope.

18+ Years Experience Council-Ready Documentation From AUD 400 — Fixed Price for the Confirmed Scope 1 Included Revision

We review the applicable planning requirements before we model a single shadow

NEW SOUTH WALES Housing SEPP / Apartment Design Guide requirements where applicable, together with the relevant local planning controls and project-specific assessment scope.
VICTORIA Current Victorian residential planning provisions and local planning scheme requirements reviewed against the development type and applicable planning pathway.
QUEENSLAND Property-specific planning scheme information, including relevant zones, overlays, neighbourhood plans and development codes, reviewed where applicable.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Current R-Codes Volume 1 or Volume 2 and relevant local planning requirements reviewed where applicable to the project.

Why the Required Shadow Scope Varies Across Australia.

Shadow study requirements are not identical across Australian states or local authorities. The applicable development type, planning framework, project location and requested assessment information can affect the required dates, time intervals and drawing outputs.

For this reason, CasStudio confirms the available planning requirement and project scope before modelling begins.

Common Rejection Reasons

  • Wrong reference date or time-step interval

    Reference dates and time-step intervals vary by state and local authority — for example, 21 June (winter solstice) or 22 September (equinox), depending on the applicable planning framework. Using an incorrect date can require the study to be revised before it can be assessed.

  • No methodology statement or software declaration

    A written methodology note — confirming the sun-path model, software used, site coordinates and applicable planning reference — helps council assessment officers verify the results. Without it, the results can be difficult to independently verify.

  • Incorrect true north or unverifiable scale

    Shadow diagrams built from an incorrect north point, or without a calibrated scale bar, cannot be independently verified. This can result in a request for correction or resubmission, which may extend the assessment timeline.

The CasStudio Standard

  • Planning-researched reference dates, every project

    We review the applicable planning requirements and any relevant state planning policy before work starts. Reference dates, time-step intervals, and required seasonal analyses are confirmed in writing before we model a single shadow.

  • Full methodology statement included as standard

    Every deliverable includes a written methodology note confirming software, sun-path engine, site coordinates (latitude/longitude), applicable planning reference, and reference standard. Ready to include in your DA submission as-is.

  • Survey-accurate geometry and confirmed true north

    We build from your survey, DWG, ArchiCAD or IFC files. True north is confirmed against site survey or registered plan data before the first shadow is cast. Scale bar, north point and title block are production-ready for council submission.

Standards Reference

State-by-state shadow diagram requirements

A quick reference guide to the key parameters we verify for each Australian state. Always confirmed against the applicable planning requirements before work starts.

State / Territory Reference Date Required Times Overshadowing Threshold Key Planning Reference
NSW 21 June (Winter Solstice) 9am, 12pm, 3pm AEST 2 hrs to living areas + POS (ADG); local planning requirements may specify additional criteria Housing SEPP / ADG / Local Planning Scheme
VIC 22 September (Equinox) 9am–3pm AEST, hourly or per planning requirement Solar access to secluded private open space under current Victorian residential planning provisions Current Victorian planning scheme provisions / Local schedule
QLD Varies by council Council-specific Solar access to habitable rooms and private open space; varies by LGA SPP / Local Planning Scheme
WA 21 June (Winter Solstice) 9am–3pm AWST, hourly Solar access to adjoining properties; confirmed against current R-Codes and LPS before each project R-Codes / Local Planning Scheme

Reference standards current as of 2025. Always confirmed against the current planning requirements before work commences.

What You Receive

Everything your DA submission requires

One fixed price. No hidden extras. No surprise charges for additional time-points or revision rounds.

Shadow Footprints at All Required Times

Existing shadows and proposed shadows distinguished by colour at every council-required time-point — 9am, 12pm and 3pm as standard, with additional times included where the planning requirements call for them.

Overshadowing Results Summary

The study results summarised against the identified planning criterion — Housing SEPP / ADG 2-hour minimum for NSW, current Victorian residential planning provisions for VIC, or the specific local planning control — stated clearly in the methodology note so your planner can reference it directly in the DA assessment.

Full Methodology Statement

Written methodology note confirming: software and sun-path model; site coordinates; applicable planning reference and standard; analysis dates and times; and the basis for true north calibration. Ready to lodge as-is.

True North & Survey-Accurate Geometry

True north confirmed against your registered survey plan or lot data. Site boundaries, neighbouring property footprints and street alignment verified against your survey before work starts. Scale bar and north point annotation consistent with your architectural drawings.

Print-Ready PDF + DWG / ArchiCAD Source

A4/A3 print-ready PDF formatted for DA lodgement, plus full DWG and/or ArchiCAD source files so your architect or certifier can verify the model independently. No locked files, no watermarks.

1 Included Revision

One revision round is included within the agreed project scope. We review the request, update the analysis as required, and re-issue the set within 48 hours.

Anonymised extracts from recently delivered Australian DA submissions. All projects include existing and proposed shadows at all required time-points.

Multi-Residential · NSW · 9am / 12pm / 3pm · 21 June
Multi-Storey Residential — NSW

Four time-point overshadowing analysis with neighbouring properties and site boundaries clearly marked. Housing SEPP / ADG solar access results summarised against the 2-hour criterion.

Dual Occupancy · VIC · Equinox · 5-hour solar access
Dual Occupancy — VIC

Overshadowing impact on secluded private open space at 22 September equinox. Applicable Victorian overshadowing threshold confirmed against the current planning provisions.

Mixed-Use · QLD · Local planning reference · Existing vs proposed
Mixed-Use Development — QLD

Existing vs proposed shadows distinguished by colour at council-specified reference times. Shadow impact on adjoining habitable rooms quantified.

How It Works

From brief to council-ready PDF in four steps

01

Send Your Brief

Share your site plans, survey, and the council or DA reference number. We confirm the applicable planning reference, reference dates, and any specific requirements before we start. No guesswork, no assumptions.

02

Planning Research & Modelling

We review the applicable planning requirements and any relevant state policy (Housing SEPP / ADG for NSW, ResCode for VIC, SPP for QLD or R-Codes for WA), confirm the analysis parameters in writing, and build a survey-accurate 3D model with confirmed true north.

03

First Draft in 48 Hours

Your first working draft arrives within 48 hours of confirmed project start. You review, request any changes, and we revise — one full revision round is included at no extra charge.

04

Print-Ready Deliverables

Once approved, you receive a print-ready PDF formatted for council lodgement, plus DWG and/or ArchiCAD source files. Methodology statement included. Ready to attach to your DA documentation.

Fixed-Price Quotes

Transparent pricing. No surprises.

Every quote is fixed price — not hourly. You know the total before work starts. Invoiced in AUD, no GST applicable (invoiced from North Macedonia under export rules).

Single Lot DA
AUD 400

Standard residential DA — single site, up to 3 required time-points, one planning reference.

  • Shadow footprints at all council-required assessment times
  • Existing vs proposed shadows distinguished
  • True north calibration + scale bar
  • Methodology statement included
  • Print-ready PDF + DWG/ArchiCAD source
  • 1 included revision
  • NET 14 payment terms
Extended Shadow Study
AUD 750

Townhouses, multi-dwelling, or state/council-specific extra requirements.

  • Everything in Single Lot DA, plus:
  • Hourly intervals where required
  • Elevation shadow diagrams on neighbouring walls
  • Additional reference dates where required
  • 3D perspective shadow views

All prices in AUD, excluding GST. Invoiced from KAS STUDIO DOOEL, Skopje, North Macedonia. Fixed quotes issued within 24 hours of brief received.

Get a Fixed-Price Quote
Coverage

Australian cities we regularly work in

We deliver shadow diagrams for council areas across NSW, VIC, QLD and WA. Not in the list? Get in touch — we work with any local planning authority.

NSW Sydney City of Sydney · Inner West · Randwick · Bayside · Northern Beaches
NSW Newcastle City of Newcastle · Lake Macquarie · Maitland
VIC Melbourne City of Melbourne · Stonnington · Boroondara · Port Phillip
VIC Geelong City of Greater Geelong and surrounding LGAs
QLD Brisbane Brisbane City Council · Moreton Bay · Gold Coast
QLD Gold Coast Gold Coast City Council and surrounding LGAs
WA Perth City of Perth · Fremantle · Stirling · Subiaco · Vincent
WA Fremantle City of Fremantle and inner-metropolitan LGAs

Sydney is currently the only city with a dedicated page. Additional city pages coming soon.

FAQ

Common questions about Australian shadow diagrams

Most NSW councils require shadow analysis at the winter solstice (21 June) at 9am, 12pm and 3pm AEST. The Apartment Design Guide (ADG) — applied under the Housing SEPP — sets a minimum 2-hour solar access standard for living areas and private open space. Specific councils may require additional time-points or seasonal analyses; we confirm this against the applicable planning requirements before work starts.
Victoria's residential planning provisions were reformed in 2025. Depending on the scale of development, Clause 54, Clause 55 or Clause 57 of the planning scheme now applies, and overshadowing of neighbouring secluded private open space remains a core assessment requirement. The pre-reform standards commonly cited as A14 and B21 have been restructured under the current provisions. We confirm the applicable clause, standard and any local schedule requirements for each project before work starts. Individual councils may impose additional requirements.
Yes. For Queensland, we work to the applicable State Planning Policy (SPP) and local planning scheme controls, which vary by LGA — Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, and others each have specific requirements we confirm before starting. For Western Australia, we work to the R-Codes Volume 2 and the applicable Local Planning Scheme. In all cases, we confirm the applicable control and reference date in writing before work starts.
For accurate shadow modelling, we need your site plans (DWG, PDF or ArchiCAD files preferred), a registered survey or lot plan for true north and boundary verification, and the council name or DA reference number so we can confirm the applicable planning requirements. IFC files from Revit or BIM models are also accepted. If you don't have a DWG, we can work from a scaled PDF — contact us to discuss.
Your first working draft is delivered within 48 hours of a confirmed project start (receipt of all required files and written project confirmation). One revision round is included. For urgent DA lodgements, same-day or 24-hour delivery is available — mention it when you send your brief and we'll confirm availability. Final deliverables typically take 3–5 business days from confirmed project start to final print-ready PDF.
No. CasStudio is based in Skopje, North Macedonia (KAS STUDIO DOOEL). Invoices are issued in AUD from a non-Australian entity and are therefore not subject to Australian GST. Payment terms are NET 14 from invoice date. We accept bank transfer (EFT) and major credit cards.
Yes. We can match line weights, hatching styles, colour schemes and title block formats to your existing drawing set. If you have an office standard or a previous shadow diagram you'd like us to replicate in style, share it with your brief and we'll match it.
Get a Quote

Fixed-price quote within 24 hours.

  • From AUD 400 · council DA packs AUD 1,200
  • 48-hour first draft
  • 1 included revision
  • No GST · NET 14 payment terms
Fixed-Scope Quotes EST. 2008 — 18+ YEARS ARCHITECTURAL MODELLING · SHADOW & DAYLIGHT SPECIALISTS

Prefer to email directly? info@casstudio.com