More planning staff to oversee Canberra’s growth


Released 26/05/2019

The 2019 ACT Budget will see six new staff join the ACT Planning and Land Authority to help process a growing number of development applications more quickly.

This will make it easier for Canberrans who want to make alterations to their property, by providing quicker and more efficient minor approvals. It will also provide faster and clearer guidance to the construction industry on proposed projects, encouraging the benefits that come with good quality urban renewal.

The new resourcing supports the ACT Planning Strategy to deliver more sustainable, compact and liveable neighbourhoods.

Canberra is growing by more than 8,000 people a year as more people choose to live in this great city. We know people want a variety of housing choices, whether it be in a knockdown rebuild, an extended house or an apartment close to a town centre.

Urban renewal is underway around Canberra’s town centres and transport corridors, including in Belconnen, Woden, Gungahlin and along the Northbourne corridor. This is leading to a surge in development applications with a record 1,216 new project applications lodged in 2017-18 and 989 minor applications for single dwellings, additions and alterations to existing residences.

We are also seeing an increase in applications relating to complex, large-scale developments that need to be carefully considered for issues like solar access, traffic and parking. A larger DA assessment team will help ensure these developments are liveable and consistent with the character of the neighbourhoods where they will be built.

An increase of $292 will be applied to applications for single dwellings as well as an increase of 20 per cent on DA fees for developments with costs over $1 million. The development industry has flagged its support for improved resourcing to speed up processing times for applications.

The Budget initiative will also deliver improvements to the popular DA Finder app and planning website. Updates will provide better functionality, accessibility and reliability for use by the community and development industry.

- Statement ends -

Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases

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james.webber@act.gov.au


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