Territory Planning Authority
The Territory Planning Authority (TPA) sits within the City and Environment Directorate (CED) and handles statutory decision-making for the Territory.
Under the Planning Act 2023, the TPA’s functions include:
- Deciding on development applications;
- Providing opportunities for public participation in planning and decision making;
- Managing, varying and ending leases on behalf of the Executive;
- Granting licenses over unleased land.
The TPA supports the Minister for Planning in fulfilling the Act’s requirements.
It’s important to recognise that TPA decisions, such as those regarding to leases and development applications, are statutory. The TPA operates within the ACT Government but has distinct functions and responsibilities under the Planning Act 2023.
Under the Planning Act 2023, the TPA and the position of the ACT Chief Planner are established. The ACT Chief Planner, which is a statutory position held by a suitably qualified person, is the TPA. The functions of the ACT Chief Planner and the TPA are outlined within the relevant legislation and are carried out independently from the functions of the Directorate more broadly.
ACT Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly is the parliament for the ACT. It performs both territory and local level functions and makes decisions that impact the lives of those who live and work in the ACT.
- Chief Minister: The Chief Minister has joint decision-making powers with the Minister for Planning when declaring Territory Priority Projects, as outlined in the Planning Act 2023.
Minister for Planning: The Minister for Planning has some decision-making and approval powers for planning matters, as outlined in the Planning Act 2023. This includes joint decision-making powers with the Chief Minister when declaring Territory Priority Projects. The Minister for Planning also has powers relating to policies and plans, such as initiating and recommending Major Plan Amendments, initiating and establishing inquiry panels for Environmental Impact Statements and preparing design guidance for development proposals (design guides).
- Standing Committees: Standing Committees are created at the start of each new Assembly to focus on certain subject areas, like matters related to planning. They have an important role in enabling the Assembly to consider issues in more detail and an opportunity for the public to have a say in issues that affect them, as most inquiries seek submissions and hold hearings.
Referral entities
A referral entity is a government or non-government agency that is requested to provide advice on a development application or planning policy matter. Referral entities asked to provide advice will change depending on the nature of the policy matter, proposed development, the location of the development and other variables.
Find more information about referral entities and what to expect from their advice on the After you apply page of the Planning website.
Advisory bodies
There are a range of panels and groups that provide advice at different stages of development assessment and planning policy processes.
- ACT Government Architect and National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP): The NCDRP is a joint initiative by the ACT Government and the National Capital Authority to provide design advice to decision makers, developers and their design teams.
- Assessment and Environment Advisory Panel (AEAP): The AEAP reviews and provides advice on the assessment and determination of major DAs.
- Environment and Planning Forum (EPF): EPF includes representatives from industry, community and government. EPF provides strategic comment on planning and development policy to the ACT Government and EPSDD.
- Planning System Implementation Executive Working Group: The Planning System Implementation Executive Working Group includes representatives from across ACT Government directorates and agencies. It supports information sharing across government about implementation of the ACT planning system, including monitoring, reporting and evaluation. The Chair and secretariat functions of the working group sit in the Planning and Urban Policy Division, which is part of the TPA.
Review and oversight
These entities may have a review or oversight role in the development assessment process.
Where can I find more information about development applications and assessment?
You can find more useful information about the steps in the DA process on the Assessments and approvals page of the Planning website or in the Guide to development applications.
There are also step-by-step factsheets available to help you understand each step of the development application and assessment process on the Resources page of the Planning website. These include:
- Development applications: Pre-application meetings and advice
- Development applications: Completeness check
- Development applications: DA assessment process
- Development applications: Entity referral
- Development applications: Public notification and representations
- Development applications: Conditional approvals
- Development applications: DA amendments
- Development applications: Reconsideration
- Development applications: Appeals to a court or tribunal
Find out more about the role in deciding a development application [PDF, 114.1 KB]
What is an Environmental Impact Statement?
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a form of environmental impact assessment (EIA) that details the anticipated impacts of a development on the environment as well as proposing avoidance, mitigation and offset measures. An EIS is prepared by a proponent to enable decision-makers to understand the environmental consequences of a proposed development.
You can find more information about the EIS process in the Guide to Environmental Impact Statement, which is available on the Resources page of the planning website.
Find out more about the role in deciding a Environmental Impact Statement.
What is a major plan amendment?
To change the policies of the Territory Plan, the TPA undertakes a minor plan amendment or major plan amendment.
Major plan amendments tend to represent larger changes to the Territory Plan and planning system, such as implementation of new government policy or larger and more complex development from infill development to infrastructure projects.
Common changes to the Territory Plan by major plan amendment are:
- changing the land use zoning of an area to better reflect the changing needs of the ACT community
- changing the Territory Plan policies to allow areas to develop in a different way
- incorporating new policies into the Territory Plan in response to government policies and decisions.
Find out more about the role in deciding a major amendment to the Territory Plan [PDF, 129.7 KB]
What is a minor plan amendment?
Unlike major plan amendments, minor plan amendments have limitations on the types of changes which can be made to the Territory Plan. Common changes to the Territory Plan by minor plan amendments are:
- remove duplication, errors and provide clarity in the Territory Plan
- support the implementation of the subdivision design process to facilitate the delivery of new land
- minor relocation of boundaries to support the intentions of an agreed development
Minor plan amendments are prepared and approved by the TPA and, depending on type, may not require public consultation.
You can find more useful information about changing the Territory Plan on the Amendments to the Territory Plan page of the planning website.
What are district strategies?
Canberra's population is growing quickly. Without strategic planning, the things that make Canberra a great place to live will diminish.
District strategies look at how we manage growth in a way that is sustainable so Canberrans can continue to have access to services, transport, employment, health, education and nature. These documents will help guide how Canberra will change and grow towards 2038 and beyond to 2050. This growth will be in a way that keeps the territory sustainable, competitive and liveable.
There are 9 districts across Canberra. Each district strategy captures the special character of its corresponding district.
Every 5 years the Chief Planner of the TPA must consider whether a district strategy still reflects the long-term planning policy and goals for the ACT. If not, a district strategy may be reviewed.
In addition to the review process, the TPA and other specified government agencies may amend part or all of a district strategy if and when required.
Find out more about the role in changing district strategies [PDF, 121.6 KB]
Compliance and enforcement
There are several inspections required during construction of a build or renovation project.
The ACT Government may conduct inspections at various stages of construction or after construction is completed. Inspections are also undertaken in response to complaints about building and planning related matters. The purpose of inspection is to check compliance with legislative requirements and standards. An inspector may determine and action non-compliance by doing inspections. Inspections may result in:
- compliance mechanisms
- rectification work
- disciplinary action
Access Canberra
Many regulatory functions of the ACT Government are centralised in Access Canberra. Officers in Access Canberra undertake compliance and enforcement related to planning in the ACT.
Access Canberra compliance activities are aimed at making sure positive outcomes are achieved for industry and community.
You can find more information about how Access Canberra is accountable for its compliance and enforcement activities on the Access Canberra policies, accountabilities and reporting page of the Access Canberra website. Here you will find:
- Accountability commitment policies
- Compliance frameworks
- Statements of expectation