Development Approval Consultation Guidelines Propose Bringing Developers And The Community Closer Together

The ACT Government has proposed new guidelines that would encourage developers to have meaningful engagement with the community prior to putting in a development application.

The pre-DA consultation guidelines could help ease community angst over building projects and reduce delays.

Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman said that the community can add value to development decisions based on local knowledge and ideas:

The Minister said that the new guidelines will help developers fulfil growing community expectations in line with industry best practice.

“The community know the area and the history of a site and can be a valuable source of information for the planning authority and developers."The guidelines call for the developer to:

• Make documents such as site plans, elevations and landscaping plans, including proposed materials and finishes, available for the public to view online on the proponent’s website or another appropriate location.

• Conduct face-to-face engagement sessions with a diverse cross-section of the community.

• Submit their consultation report to the planning and land authority as part of any subsequent DA documentation.

• A building for residential use with three or more storeys and 15 or more dwellings

• A building with a gross floor area of more than 5,000 square metres.

• Multiple buildings with a total gross floor area of more than 7,000 square metres.

• A building or structure more than 25 metres above finished ground level.

• A variation of a lease to remove its concessional status.

The ACT Government is currently asking for community and industry feedback before proceeding with full implementation.