The Northern Territory Planning System
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure develops land use policies and strategic plans in consultation with the community.
The Department also manages the planning and development framework incorporating the Planning Act, the NT Planning Scheme and provides professional and technical support to the Development Consent Authority.
Planning Act
The Planning Act provides for appropriate and orderly planning and control of the use and development of land.
The Act:
- establishes the NT Planning Scheme and provides for a development approval process;
- provides for interim development control;
- provides for an appeals regime and enforcement; and
- establishes the Development Consent Authority.
Planning Regulations
The Planning Regulations deal with matters of a procedural or administrative nature and include exempt subdivisions, notices of decisions and requirements for advertising development applications. It also prescribes circumstances where a right of third party appeal exists.
Processes
The Planning Act and Regulations set out processes for certain actions.
Further details on particular processes can be viewed by selecting any of the following:
| Process | Use |
|---|---|
Development consent
is required for subdivision or consolidation of land in the
Northern Territory and also where the NT Planning Scheme provides
that a development or use may only be undertaken with consent. |
|
If a Development Permit has already been issued for a use
/ development / subdivision, an application may be made to
vary the conditions of that permit. Applications for variation of a Development Permit are limited to changes of a minor nature. |
|
The Planning Act allows for appeals to be made against
some decisions of the consent authority. |
|
Rezoning of land or changes
/ additions / deletions to text or diagrams contained in a Planning
Scheme. |
|
An application for an Exceptional Development Permit may
be made for a use that would otherwise be prohibited under
a Planning Scheme. |
|
An Alteration
Permit may be required when making minor changes to a development
that has existing use rights. |
|
If a use of land
is discontinued for a period of time it may be presumed that
the use has been abandoned. Uses permitted under existing
use rights, or a development permit may be retained if an
application is made for an extension of the allowed discontinuation
period. |
|
An IDCO, while
it is in place, may override or suspend the application of some
or all of the development provisions, or introduce controls,
in relation to that land. |