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 (170.7 KB)
  • read the strategic framework: policies and land use plans
• NTPS part 3 - overlays PDF (457.0 KB)
• NTPS part 4 - zones and assessment tables  PDF (999.4 KB)
  • zoning matrix PDF (274.6 KB)
• NTPS part 5 - development requirements PDF (3.3 MB)
  • read the referenced documents: guidelines
• NTPS part 6 - subdivision and consolidation requirements PDF (492.2 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 (388.8 KB)
• NTPS schedule 2 - definitions PDF (363.5 KB)
• NTPS schedule 3 - exceptions PDF (112.5 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.