If you’re a builder or work in a residential sales team, here’s a free tool you might not have heard of — but absolutely should be using.
It’s called Planning Alerts, and while it looks like a modest little site, it’s quietly doing something that could help you find land, spot upcoming builds, and keep an eye on activity in the areas you care about.
It’s completely independent from government.
It’s not owned by a tech giant or real estate group.
And it’s built and maintained by a tiny charity — the OpenAustralia Foundation.
No strings attached. No sales funnel. Just a clever little tool helping people stay informed.
So What Does It Actually Do?
You enter a property address or suburb you want to track. Planning Alerts then emails you whenever a new development application is lodged in that area.
That might include:
- Knockdown-rebuilds
- Extensions and major renos
- Subdivisions or dual occs
- Commercial rezoning
- Multi-res builds
It’s all scraped directly from council websites and delivered straight to your inbox — often before most people even know something’s happening.
Why Builders and Sales Teams Should Care
This isn’t just about being nosey. This is sales intel.
Planning Alerts gives you:
- Early warning signs on streets about to turn over
- Insight into which suburbs are getting active
- Lead indicators for where to door knock or letter drop
- Context to help guide land buyers or custom build clients
- A way to monitor corridors you want to move into
Whether you’re a builder owner, BD rep, or consultant writing deals, this tool helps you see the market from the ground up — in real time.
And the Best Part? It’s Free.
No subscriptions. No demo calls. No sales pitch.
Planning Alerts is a public service project, run by a small group of volunteers and tech professionals who believe in making planning data open and accessible to everyone.
They’re not trying to sell you anything. They just want people to be better informed — whether you’re a local resident, a builder, or a business watching where the next boom might happen.
A Quiet Operator — But Worth a Look
Let’s be clear: it’s not a polished real estate platform. It’s not designed to be flashy. But what it is, is accurate, fast, and full of potential if you’re thinking ahead.
If you’re in the knockdown space, this is a no-brainer.
If you’re doing high-end renos, it’s a goldmine.
And if you’re advising clients on where to build, it’s one more way to stay sharp.
Take 5 minutes and have a look: www.planningalerts.org.au
Set up a couple of alerts. See what comes through. Then think about how it fits into your sales rhythm or team strategy.
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