What is a development application?

If you are building or undertaking some types of renovation you may need to submit a development application (DA) to the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA) for approval.

This is done by completing an application form and attaching plans and any other supporting documents and providing them to ACTPLA. Often people are assisted in this process by industry professionals such as architects, draftspersons and building certifiers.

What developments require approval?

Not all developments need to be approved. Houses, extensions and alterations, and many smaller projects like pergolas, carports and fences are exempt as long as they meet certain requirements.

How do I work out what I can do on my land?

All land in the ACT is zoned for different uses. To find out about how your land is zoned you can go to ACTmapi on the website.

Note: applications for developments on unleased land (nature strips or verges in front of property) are managed by the Parks, Community and Land Volunteers.  Contact Canberra Connect on 132281 for more information.

How are DAs assessed?

Before DAs are assessed they undergo a completeness check. ACTPLA staff will check whether all the necessary information has been provided in your application. A checklist is at the bottom of all DA forms to help you ensure you give us all the information we need to proceed with lodging and assessing your DA.

When ACTPLA has all the necessary information we will advise you of the fee that needs to be paid to lodge your DA. Once lodged, your DA is assessed against the relevant code of the Territory Plan, objectives of the zone the land is in and the suitability of land for the development. ACTPLA also takes into consideration all representations made during notification, advice from other entities like ActewAGL, a plan of management for any public land and the likely impact of the development, including any environmental impact.

Do I need to consult with my neighbours about my DA?

If your development is located in an established area you are strongly encouraged to consult with your neighbours during the design stage to ensure the development proposal considers all of the issues that might arise. Even though neighbour consultation is not statutory it is encouraged and should occur before a DA is lodged with ACTPLA.

Public notification of development applications

Some development applications need to be publically notified by ACTPLA.  If your proposal requires minor notification letters will be sent to the neighbours adjoining your property advising them of your application.  If your proposal requires major notification letters will be sent to the adjoining neighbours, a sign placed on the site and an advertisement placed in the newspaper.

Notification is carried out by ACTPLA after a development application has been lodged in the merit track or impact track. There is no requirement to publicly notify a code track development application.

What about entity referrals?

For some development applications you will be required to get approvals from other ACT agencies such as ActewAGL and the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS).
ACTPLA has developed a publication which provides a list of approvals you may need to consider as part of your development application and who provides them.

How long does it take for ACTPLA to decide an application?

Processing time for an application depends on what track it is in and whether or not anyone comments during public notification of the DA.

The statutory timeframe for assessing code track applications is 20 working days.

The timeframe for merit and impact tracks is 30 working days if no representations are received and 45 working days when representations are received.

What happens when a decision is made?

ACTPLA notifies the applicant of its decisions in writing.  People who make a representation are also notified of ACTPLA’s decision on an application.

For more information please on development applications please call ACTPLA’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 6207 1923 or email us.