I'm grateful that they're only at that stage.
Comparing stored images is donkey work. It shouldn't be hard to set up automation of that so it automatically flags any new structures (this is well within the bounds of current machine learning). Then cross check the latitude/longitude with title records, check for DA for that title, if there's any mismatch then spit it out to a council enforcement goon.
Neighbours of mine got council approval to extend a room by a couple of metres. Cost them an absolute bomb and they're not made of money. I understand why they have planning offices - you don't want to end up with slum suburbs and disease outbreaks - but it should be nuanced especially in rural areas where the addition of a shed makes absolutely no difference to the area.