How planning works in the NT
The Northern Territory (NT) planning system is different compared to other states and territories.
Planning responsibility sits at the NT government level, rather than local government.
The system is set up through the Planning Act 1999 and Planning Regulations 2000, which explains:
- how planning rules are made and changed
- who makes planning decisions
- what the penalties are for breaking planning rules.
The NT has one ‘rule book’ - the NT Planning Scheme 2020 - which applies to the whole of the NT, except for Jabiru.
Jabiru has its own rule book - the Jabiru Town Plan.
How planning happens
Before any planning decisions are made, the government has to consider a range of community needs.
For example, they may need to consider:
- how the population will grow
- what infrastructure and services will be needed
- what natural hazards may affect the area
- what special areas need protection.
This helps ensure decisions are made in a fair and open way.
Once these needs are understood, the government starts planning and consultation with various stakeholders.
Steps in the plan-making process
The government has a range of strategic policies and plans that formalise these considerations.
Watch this short video for a summary of the plan-making process.
The steps in the plan-making process can be broadly summarised as below.
1. Understand the community's needs
The government looks at the community's needs to understand how to respond.
They then talk to the community about their expectations and aspirations.
2. Plan for the community's needs
The government works with other service providers, industry and affected community to develop planning strategies.
The broader community is then asked for their views.
3. Update plans, policies and rules
The government proposes changes to the planning scheme.
Industry and the wider community are asked about the proposed changes.
The minister for planning approves the changes and the planning controls are updated.
4. Make fair and transparent planning decisions
Once rules are updated, planning applications are considered against them.
This ensures planning decisions are fair and transparent.
Read more about the strategic framework.
View the list of strategic framework policies and land use plans.
Who's involved in planning
To better understand planning in the Northern Territory (NT), it can help to know who's involved in the process.
Planning involves input from government and non-government stakeholders.
Government stakeholders include authorities that can make planning decisions and enforce rules.
Non-government stakeholders include community members and industry who:
- want to make an application or
- have a say about a planning decision.
Read below to find out who's involved in the planning process.
Minister for Planning
The Minister for Planning makes and changes planning rules.
The minister can:
- make changes to planning schemes including rezoning land
- make decisions on development applications outside of a Development Consent Authority (DCA) division area
- issue an exceptional development permit (EDP)
- issue an interim development control order (IDCO).
The minister also appoints members of the DCA and the Planning Commission.
Development Consent Authority
The Development Consent Authority (DCA) is an independent authority appointed by the minister.
The DCA’s role is to:
- make decisions on development applications including subdivisions
- take action to enforce planning rules
- hold public hearings on behalf of the minister.
There are seven division areas of the DCA:
- Darwin
- Palmerston
- Batchelor
- Katherine
- Litchfield
- Tennant Creek
- Alice Springs.
To find out more, go to the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.
NT Planning Commission
The NT Planning Commission is an independent body appointed by the minister.
It doesn't have any decision-making powers.
It is responsible for researching best practice planning and providing advice to the minister.
The commission’s role is to:
- consult with the community
- prepare strategic plans, guidelines and assessment criteria for the minister to consider
- hold public hearings
- report to the minister about public feedback for:
To find out more, go to the NT Planning Commission website.
NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal
The NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) provides a forum for reviewing government decisions, including some planning decisions.
You can ask the NTCAT to review a planning decision if you:
- are unhappy with a decision made by the DCA and
- have a right to review the decision under the Planning Act 1999.
To find out more, go to the NTCAT website.
Government planners
A planning division sits within the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL).
It is made up of two branches:
- Development Assessment Services (DAS)
- Lands Planning.
The division provides professional and technical support to:
- the minister for planning
- Development Consent Authority - to find out more, go to the DIPL website.
- NT Planning Commission - to find out more, go to the NT Planning Commission website.
The division can also provide free general advice to members of the public to help you:
- understand how you can develop your land
- understand planning rules, plans and policies where they apply
- submit a planning application
- report a breach of the planning rules.
DAS
DAS is involved in:
- assessing development and subdivision applications
- enforcing the Planning Act 1999
- providing professional and technical support to the DCA and the minister.
You can also talk to DAS for help with planning applications and reporting a breach to the planning rules.
Lands Planning
Lands Planning is involved in:
- changes to the NT Planning Scheme including rezoning
- engaging with the community and preparing strategic plans and policies
- providing professional and technical support to the NT Planning Commission and the minister.
You can talk to Lands Planning about changes to the planning rules.
Find out how to contact a planner.
Service authorities and local councils
Service authorities are organisations and branches of government that:
- deliver essential services
- protect the health and safety of the community.
Authorities that are most often involved with planning include:
- local councils
- Power and Water Corporation
- NT Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security
- NT Environment Protection Authority
- NT Emergency Services
- NT Health.
They have their own laws and requirements that must be met, depending on the type, location and scale of a development.
Industry professionals
Industry professionals are people with jobs in development including:
- planning consultants
- planning lawyers
- building certifiers
- surveyors
- architects
- environmental consultants.
Their work often requires them to have detailed knowledge of at least part of the planning system.
They can give technical and independent advice in their area of expertise.
If you're not familiar with the planning system, you might use an industry professional to help you:
- make an application
- write a submission
- request review of a planning decision.
Public
As a community member, you can get involved in planning.
This includes if you're a:
- resident
- land owner
- developer
- business owner
- member of a community or environmental group
- combination of the above.
Your local knowledge and views can help planners and decision-makers understand the character of a neighbourhood.
This helps ensure planning rules, policies and decisions are made to benefit most people.
Find out how to make an application.
Get involved in current planning applications
To find out how you can get involved in current planning applications, watch this short video.
To view planning applications currently on exhibition, go to the Development Applications Online website.
NT Planning Scheme 2020
The Northern Territory Planning Scheme (NTPS) 2020 is the 'rule book' for land use and development in the NT.
The scheme covers the whole of the NT, except for Jabiru, which has the Jabiru Town Plan.
If you are not familiar with the document, you can read information to help you understand the NT Planning Scheme.
Read the planning scheme
Get the individual scheme sections below:
- NTPS index PDF (402.6 KB)
- NTPS part 1 - guidance PDF (411.4 KB)
- NTPS part 2 - strategic framework PDF (400.5 KB)
- NTPS part 3 - overlays PDF (457.0 KB)
- NTPS part 4 - zones and assessment tables PDF (1.7 MB)
- NTPS part 5 - development requirements PDF (2.8 MB)
- read the referenced documents: guidelines
- NTPS part 6 - subdivision and consolidation requirements PDF (496.8 KB)
- NTPS part 7 - Aboriginal communities and towns PDF (381.9 KB)
Schedules
Get the schedules below:
- NTPS schedule 1 - amendments to the NTPS 2020 PDF (631.7 KB)
- NTPS schedule 2 - definitions PDF (363.5 KB)
- NTPS schedule 3 - exceptions PDF (305.8 KB)
- NTPS schedule 4 - specific use zones PDF (688.0 KB)
- NTPS schedule 5 - reference guidelines PDF (286.3 KB)
- NTPS schedule 6 - Aboriginal community living areas PDF (307.8 KB)
- NTPS schedule 7 - Aboriginal towns PDF (183.0 KB)
- NTPS schedule 8 - residential development in major remote towns PDF (194.3 KB)
- NTPS schedule 9 - building setback plans PDF (3.3 MB)
Changes to the planning scheme
The minister for planning may make changes to the planning scheme from time to time.
This helps keep the rules up to date with the community’s changing needs.
Amendments may be any of the following:
- a change to diagrams, text or policies created by government
- a rezoning submitted as an amendment application by a person or the minister
- a combined amendment and development application, submitted as a concurrent application.
Find proposed amendments on planning notices on the Development Applications Online website.
Read about how to request an amendment.
Read list of amendments to the NTPS 2020.
Past planning scheme
Read the NTPS 2007.
Review of old specific use zones
Old specific use zones created under the NT Planning Scheme 2007 will be progressively reviewed in consultation with landowners.
This will result in each specific use zone being either:
- transitioned to a standard zone or
- reformatted to fit the new structure and incorporated with updated definitions.
Until the review is complete, any land development that is subject to a specific use zone in the 2007 scheme will continue to be assessed under the 2007 scheme.
This includes rules under the:
- NT Planning Scheme 2007
- Planning Act 1999 as in force on 30 July 2020.
Old specific use zones are found in schedule 1 of the NT Planning Scheme 2007 PDF (6.7 MB).
For more information about developing in a specific use zone, contact a planner from Development Assessment Services.
Jabiru Town Plan
The Jabiru Town Plan is a specific planning scheme for Jabiru in accordance with section 8 of the Planning Act.
Outside of Jabiru, the Northern Territory Planning Scheme applies to the whole of the Territory.
The Jabiru Town Plan 2019 came into force on 31 October 2019. It replaced the 1981 town plan.
Read the amendment decision PDF (1.2 MB).
What the town plan covers
The 2019 Jabiru Town Plan includes all of the following:
- statements about land use policy
- development controls that allow, prohibit or put conditions on the use or development of land
- instructions, guidelines and criteria to help the consent authority assess and decide on development applications
- maps, plans, designs and diagrams.
Read the Jabiru Town Plan
Get the complete Jabiru Town Plan 2019 PDF (2.9 MB).
You can also get the individual sections and referenced documents below.
Individual scheme sections
- Table of contents PDF (140.5 KB)
- User guide PDF (600.8 KB)
- Part 1 PDF (530.4 KB) – including application of the planning scheme, exceptions and definitions
- Part 2 PDF (210.5 KB) – planning principles and framework
- Part 3 PDF (627.4 KB) – zones and zone purpose
- Part 4 PDF (932.5 KB) – performance criteria for general, residential, commercial, industrial and non-urban use and development
- Part 5 PDF (244.7 KB) – subdivision
- Part 6 PDF (216.2 KB) – transport and infrastructure
- Schedule 1: schedule to clause 2.7 PDF (99.6 KB) - reference to guidelines
- Schedule 2: town of Jabiru masterplan PDF (1.2 MB)
- Zoning matrix PDF (151.4 KB)
Referenced documents
The plan needs to be read alongside referenced documents including the:
- zoning map PDF (532.2 KB)
- Community Safety Design Guide PDF (3.6 MB)
- Kakadu National Park Approved Plant List, which you can find on the Australian Government's Department of Environment and Energy website.
The Community Safety Design Guide should be addressed when making a development application.
The consent authority may refer to this guide when making a decision.
Amendments to the plan
The Jabiru Town Plan is managed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, on behalf of the Director of National Parks.
Any amendments require the plan to be repealed and replaced, and approved by the Director of National Parks.
Amendments may be either of the following:
- a change to diagrams, text or policies initiated by the government
- a rezoning submitted as an amendment application by a person or the minister.
To discuss any potential amendment to the Jabiru Town Plan, contact a planner from Lands Planning.
The Northern Territory Planning Commission is an independent statutory authority that develops plans and planning policies for use alongside the town plan, or that may be included in the town plan. Read more on the Northern Territory Planning Commission website.
New zones and existing use rights
The 2019 Jabiru Town Plan introduces new zones.
Some existing land uses are now prohibited by the new requirements of the 2019 plan.
These are known as non-conforming uses.
Under the law, an established use that becomes a non-conforming use may continue and even expand to a limited extent. These are called existing use rights.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics can also grant a permit for a use that would otherwise be prohibited. This is known as an exceptional development permit.
Find out more by reading the Planning Act 1999.
Existing development permits
Any development or use that is covered under an existing development permit, issued in accordance with the Jabiru Town Plan 1981, will continue to be current.
You don’t need to obtain a new development permit unless you are varying or changing the existing development or use in any way.
For more information about existing use rights, contact a planner from Development Assessment Services.
Interim development control orders
The minister for planning may make an interim development control order (IDCO) to:
- temporarily override or suspend development provisions or
- introduce controls in relation to a piece of land.
An IDCO can only be in place for a maximum of 2 years.
This may be done to allow more investigation into an issue or a trial of new rules before a final decision is made.
The consent authority must take into account any IDCO applicable to the land when considering the development proposal.
Current orders
The table below lists IDCOs currently in force.
IDCO number | Description | Date in force |
---|---|---|
IDCO 31 PDF (256.1 KB) | This order provides interim transitional provisions for business and promotional signs, as these controls have been removed from the NT Planning Scheme 2020. | 7 November 2022 - 7 November 2024 |
IDCO 32 PDF (92.3 KB) | This order provides interim transitional provisions for domestic livestock, as these controls have been removed from the NT Planning Scheme 2020. | 7 November 2022 - 7 November 2024 |
Previous orders
The table below lists IDCOs recently expired.
IDCO number | Description | Date in force |
---|---|---|
IDCO 29 PDF (421.6 KB) | This order provides interim transitional provisions for business and promotional signs, as these controls have been removed from the NT Planning Scheme 2020. | 5 August 2020 - 5 August 2022 |
IDCO 30 PDF (127.4 KB) | This order provides interim transitional provisions for domestic livestock, as these controls have been removed from the NT Planning Scheme 2020. | 5 August 2020 - 5 August 2022 |
Contact
For more information about how a current IDCO could affect you, contact a planner from Development Assessment Services.
Exceptional development permit decisions
After your exceptional development permit (EDP) application is received, it goes to the minister for planning for consideration.
The minister for planning may grant an EDP to:
- allow changes to an existing use or building that was previously permitted but is now prohibited or
- establish a use or development prohibited by a planning scheme.
Read how to apply for an exceptional development permit.
Find proposals that are currently on exhibition on the Development Applications Online website.
Recent decisions
The table below lists decisions made in the last 30 days to grant, refuse or vary an EDP.
It also has the permit and reasons for each decision.
EDP permit | Description | Location | Zone | Decision | Reasons for decision | Decision date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDP24/005 PDF (5.1 MB) | Rooming Accommodation (Workers Village) and ancillary amenities including kitchen/dining and indoor/outdoor recreational areas for up to 256 people, primarily to facilitate ongoing construction activities at RAAF Base Tindal | N.T. Portion 3164 (50) Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne | A (Agriculture) | Approved | EDP24/0005 PDF (2.6 MB) | 26/03/2024 |
EDP24/0003 PDF (2.3 MB) | Car park | Lot 8167 (8) Traeger Avenue, Town of Alice Springs | CP (Community Purpose) | Approved | EDP24/0003 PDF (699.5 KB) | 03/03/2024 |
EDP02/0015I PDF (7.1 MB) | Alterations and additions to an existing gas processing facility (shore crossing) | Sections 1860, 1870, 1871 (611A, 611 B, 611C), Wickham Point Road, Wickham, Hundred of Ayers | FD (Future Development) | Approved | EDP02/0015I PDF (1.2 MB) | 29/02/2024 |
EDP24/0002 PDF (1.3 MB) | Subdivision of 3 lots to create 4 lots | Lots 1954,1955 and 1971, (20 and 22) Bloomfield Street and (7) Newland Street, Town of Alice Springs | LR (Low Density Residential) | Approved | EDP24/0002 PDF (1.3 MB) | 05/02/2024 |
EDP24/0001 PDF (3.9 MB) | Car park (83 car parking spaces) | Lot 1018 (2) Stuart Terrace, Town of Alice Springs, | TC (Tourist Commercial) | Approved | EDP24/0001 PDF (904.7 KB) | 10/01/2024 |
EDP23/0004 PDF (3.5 MB) | Change of Use to office and ancillary rooming accommodation | Lot 38 (7) Bray Street, Town of Elliott | LMR (Low-Medium Density Residential) | Approved | EDP23/0004 PDF (1.0 MB) | 06/07/2023 |
EDP23/0003 PDF (435.4 KB) | A club (veterans retreat) with an ancillary caravan park | Lot 2 (335) Old Bynoe Road, Livingstone, Hundred of Cavenagh | R (Rural) | Approved | EDP23/0003 PDF (507.4 KB) | 28/09/2023 |
EDP23/0001 PDF (481.2 KB) | Alterations and additions to an existing hotel/motel including two additional rooms and a dwelling-caretaker within the existing buildings, a reconfiguration of the car parking area, and a reduction in parking spaces. | Lot 7583 (25) Undoolya Road, East Side | MR (Medium Density) | Approved | EDP23/0001 PDF (1.2 MB) | 08/08/2023 |
EDP23/0005 PDF (611.5 KB) | Hotel casino redevelopment (hotel/motel, bar-public, place of assembly, child care centre, leisure and recreation, entertainment facility and 235 dwellings-multiple in buildings of up to 5 storeys) in 9 stages. | Lot 9107 (112) Barrett Drive, Town of Alice Springs | TC (Tourist Commercial) | Approved | EDP23/00005 PDF (542.7 KB) | 19/06/2023 |
Various changes to site plan, floor plan, elevations and staging | Lot 10979 (113) Todd Street, Town of Alice Springs | CP (Community Purpose) | Approved | 14/04/2023 | ||
Change of use from Vehicle Sales and Hire to Gymnasium (Leisure and Recreation) | Lot 9139 (6) Colson Street, Town of Alice Springs | SA3 (Specific Use) | Approved | 11/04/2023 | ||
EDP22/0007 PDF (2.5 MB) | Use of an existing shed for the purposes of a Community Centre, Education Establishment and Light Industry (Men's Shed) | Administrative Lot 560, NT Portion 1632 Townsite of Angurugu | MZ (Multi Zone) | Approved | EDP22/0007 PDF (508.3 KB) | 13/02/2023 |
Previous decisions
To find out about previous EDP decisions, contact a planner from Development Assessment Services.
Concurrent application decisions
If the Development Consent Authority (DCA) approves a concurrent application, the amendment will come into effect the day the permit is issued.
Approval of a concurrent application involves both:
- an amendment to a planning scheme approved by the minister
- a development permit issued by the consent authority, in relation to the amendment.
Read how to make a concurrent application.
Find proposals that are currently on exhibition on the Development Applications Online website.
Recent decisions
The table below lists decisions to approve concurrent applications in the last 30 days.
It also has the planning scheme amendment, development permit and reasons for each decision.
Reference | Planning scheme amendment | Development permit | Description | Location | Reasons for decision | Effective date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PA2023/0031 | Amendment 76 PDF (503.5 KB) | DP23/0229 PDF (221.5 KB) |
Concurrent application to:
| Lot 34 Hundred of Bagot (20 Macleod Road, Howard Springs NT 0835) | Reason for decision PDF (208.4 KB) | 20/10/2023 |
PA2022/0223 | Amendment 58 PDF (657.3 KB) | DP23/0027 PDF (334.7 KB) |
Concurrent application to:
| Sections 7658, 7659, 7660 and part section 7349 Hundred of Bagot (14, 18, 22 Julius Street and Makagon Road, Berrimah NT 0828) | Reasons for decision PDF (1.1 MB) | 15/02/2023 |
PA2022/0059 | Amendment 62 PDF (484.8 KB) | DP22/0262 PDF (346.7 KB) |
Concurrent application to:
| Lots 1 and 2 Hundred of Bagot (45 and 55 Girraween Road, Howard Springs NT 0836) | Reasons for decision PDF (1.4 MB) | 25/11/2022 |
PA2021/0336 | Amendment 43 PDF (1.4 MB) | DP22/0125 PDF (1.4 MB) |
Concurrent application to:
| Lot 7880 Hundred of Bagot (230 Madsen Road, Howard Springs NT 0835) | Reasons for decision PDF (789.8 KB) | 27/05/2022 |
PA2021/0128 | Amendment 40 PDF (1.0 MB) | DP22/0102 PDF (112.1 KB) |
Concurrent application to:
| Section 2980 and Section 2982 Hundred of Bagot (123 Menaja Road and 260 Whitewood Road, Howard Springs NT 0835) | Reasons for decision PDF (172.2 KB) | 13/05/2022 |
PA2021/0309 | Amendment 38 PDF (604.9 KB) | DP22/0062 PDF (88.9 KB) |
Concurrent application to:
|
Lot 1238 Town of Tennant Creek 33 Leichhardt Street Tennant Creek NT 0860 | Reasons for decision PDF (138.9 KB) | 1/04/2022 |
Previous decisions
To find out about previous concurrent application decisions, contact a planner from Development Assessment Services.