Since the start of January almost 1000 planning certificates have been lodged with council.

Council's deputy general manager corporate, strategy and development services, Mark Pepping said the number of planning certificates lodged and processed was higher than this time last year.

"For a regional area like us, 1000 planning certificates in just three-and-a-half months is a significant number," Mr Pepping said.

Planning certificates are prescribed under section 149 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.

The certificates are issued when new houses are built and are requested by real estate agents when properties are bought, sold and transferred. Mr Pepping said they formed a "critical" part of the contract

"Broadly speaking, the number of planning certificates issued often mirrors the health of a local property market," Mr Pepping said.

"As we know the Sydney real estate market is red hot at the moment and historically, our shire has followed the trends happening in Sydney."

Factors that have affected the number of planning applications lodged include the current record low interest rates and increased number of land sales.

"A number of new subdivisions have recently come to the market including the Renwick, Nattai Ponds and Darraby developments and that in turn has also affected the number of applications we've received," Mr Pepping said.

"When planning certificates are lodged with council, more than 20 different criteria have to be checked, verified and signed-off before they can be issued.

"This is currently handled manually but because of the increased volume of certificates we've received of late, we're working with staff to look at ways in which we can speed up the return of paperwork."

Council has investigated the introduction of systems which will automate the ordering, production and return of certificates within a shorter time frame.

"We're treating the backlog of planning certificates as a priority and we apologise to any customer who may be currently awaiting a return of their planning certificate," Mr Pepping said.

"In the interim, we're directing more resources to help alleviate the delays that are currently being experienced and assure our customers that we are looking at a long-term solution to help expedite the turnaround of section 149 planning certificates."