Make a concurrent application

You can make a concurrent application if you want to do the following at the same time:

request a planning scheme amendment (PSA)
apply for a development permit.

You don't have to do a concurrent application - you can apply for a PSA and then a development permit separately.

The table below provides an overview of the application process.

Benefits

The benefits of a concurrent application are having a single:

application and package of supporting information
exhibition period for the amendment and development parts of the application
submission or comment by community members and referral authorities
hearing for the application.

Risks

The risks of a concurrent application are if the:

development proposal is not approved by the consent authority - any rezoning approval will not come into effect
minister refuses the PSA request - the development permit will not be issued.

Summary

About the application	What you need to know
How to apply	Submit through the Development Applications Online (DAO) website
Fees	Check the application, advertising and development component fee
Advertising	Usually 28 days advertising including notices through: planning notices online yellow signs with a pink border placed on the land
Processing time	It can take approximately five months for a decision but can take much longer.
Decision maker for the PSA	Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
Decision maker for the development	Development Consent Authority (within DCA division areas) Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (outside DCA division areas)
Administrating branch	Lands Planning and Development Assessment Services

Before you apply

The concurrent application process is complicated.

You must meet with a planner to have a pre-application meeting.

Pre-application meeting

The pre-application meeting is a special requirement of the concurrent application process.

After the meeting, you will receive a signed record that you must include with your application.

Book a meeting

To book a free pre-application meeting, you must fill in the pre-application meeting request form.

You should submit as much detail as possible in the form, including:

any plans, maps or reports you have relating to the proposal including concepts
how many people will be attending the meeting.

You must book at least one week ahead of the appointment.

What to expect

Your meeting will be attended by all the following:

up to two planners
other technical or specialist advisers
other consultants you want to invite - eg your architect or planning consultant.

Planning advisers will advise you on:

whether your application is consistent with:
- the current strategic framework for the area
- planning rules that relate to the proposed use or development
help you understand what you need to include in your application.

Supporting information

You must provide the following when you apply for a concurrent application:

a copy of your pre-application meeting record
your contact details
owner’s authorisation - if you are not the sole property owner
- land owner/s authorisation form PDF (676.5 KB)
- land owner/s authorisation form DOCX (54.6 KB)
an explanation of the proposed amendment and why you are requesting it
an assessment of the proposed development showing how it will comply with the amended planning scheme
an assessment of the proposal including:
- its merits
- if the land can support the proposal
- how it will influence the amenity of the area
- other matters under section 30C of the Planning Act
dimensioned plans for the development (which may vary based on the complexity and type). These may include:
- site plan
- floor layout plans
- elevations and sections
an image that shows what the development will look like - image requirements are:
- it must be in landscape orientation
- it should reflect the proposed development and can include a perspective, an elevation or site plan
- it must be a JPG or PNG file and be clear when printed in A4 size
- for subdivisions, changes to use or minor developments, a clear dimensioned plan may be enough

For more information about your application requirements, read the guide - submitting a concurrent application PDF (219.9 KB).

If you don't understand the requirements, you can contact a planner.

You may also consider getting a private planning consultant to apply on your behalf.

How to apply

To apply, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Submit your application

Submit a concurrent application through the DAO website.

Attach your image

You must submit your application with an image of the proposed development. This image will be displayed:

alongside the application details on the DAO website and
on your custom sign (if applicable).

If you submit without an image, your application will be returned.

Step 2. Pay the fee

You must pay:

an application fee - when the application is initially accepted
an advertising fee - if the minister proceeds with the application and places it on public exhibition
a development component fee - the amount depends on the type of development and its estimated cost.

You can either pay:

online through the DAO website - the preferred payment method
in person by cash or card at your nearest planning office.

All fees are non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful.

After you apply

Read below to find out what happens after you submit your application.

Timeframes

Timeframes for concurrent applications can take approximately five months.

However, this can be longer if:

more information is needed or
the application needs to be re-exhibited at any stage.

Minister's initial decision

The minister will make an initial decision to either:

accept the application for exhibition
refuse to amend the planning scheme.

The minister may also request further information from you - you will need to provide this within a specified timeframe.

Advertising requirements

If the minister's initial decision was to continue to consider the application, they will place it on exhibition.

Concurrent applications are advertised for 28 days, including notices through:

planning notices online
yellow signs with a pink border placed on the land.

What you need to do

The department will inform you of your advertising requirements.

You will need to:

pay the advertising fee
arrange to collect and place the signs as directed.

Receiving submissions

During the public exhibition period, submissions may be received from:

the public
service authorities
the local council.

A submission is a written objection or supporting comment about a concurrent application.

All valid submissions will be sent to you at the end of the exhibition period.

Public hearing

If submissions are received about the concurrent application, a public hearing will be held.

It is usually held by the Development Consent Authority (DCA).

You and anyone who made a submission on your proposal will be invited to attend and speak.

Invitations will be sent about 10 days before the meeting date.

After the hearing, the DCA will:

consider the development proposal and
report on submissions received for the amendment proposal.

For more information, including upcoming hearing dates and agendas, go to the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

DCA preliminary decision

After the hearing, the DCA will make a preliminary decision about the development part of the concurrent application.

This decision assumes that the minister will amend the planning scheme as proposed in the application.

The DCA may change its decision if the minister decides to alter and approve the planning scheme amendment section.

If the minister refuses to amend the planning scheme, the DCA cannot issue a development permit, even if it was their preliminary decision to approve the development.

The DCA's initial decision will be published in the minutes for the hearing. This will be available on the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

Matters considered by the DCA

In making a decision, the DCA will consider:

the relevant development requirements
any relevant overlay requirements
any requested variations
the relevant zone and strategic framework based on the assessment category
the merits of the proposal and if it is in the public interest
potential impacts on the existing and future amenity of the area
if the land can support the development
other matters under section 30P of the Act.

Report to the minister

The DCA provides a report to the minister.

It includes:

the DCA's preliminary decision
a copy of all submissions
a summary of all issues raised in submissions at the hearing
any other information the authority thinks the minister should take into account.

Minister's amendment decision

Once the minister has received the report from the DCA, they must make a decision to:

approve the amendment proposal without changes
alter the proposal and approve the amendment proposal
alter the amendment proposal and re-exhibit the altered proposal or
refuse to amend the planning scheme.

Before making a decision, the minister may also request more information from you.

Matters considered by the minister

In making a decision for the proposed amendment, the minister must consider all of the following:

the planning scheme
whether it promotes the purpose and objectives of the Act
any strategic framework within the planning scheme
the development proposal part of the concurrent application
the merits of the proposal
any potential impacts to environmental values under environmental laws
if the land can support the development
the availability of infrastructure
public facilities and public open space
potential impacts on the existing and future amenity of the area
other matters under section 30S of the Act.

If the minister approves the amendment proposal

If the minister approves the amendment proposal, the DCA will proceed to make its final decision.

The amendment will not come into effect unless the development proposal is also approved by the DCA.

If the minister refuses the amendment proposal

If the minister decides to refuse the amendment proposal, the DCA cannot approve the development proposal.

You will be issued with a notice of refusal and the reasons for the decision.

Any submitters will also be notified of the decision.

DCA final decision

If the minister approves the amendment proposal, the DCA must then make a final decision about:

whether to issue the development permit and
what conditions to place on the permit.

The DCA's decision is based on the amendment proposal that was approved by the minister.

If the DCA approves the development proposal

If the DCA decides to issue a development permit, the amendment will come into effect the day the permit is issued.

You and any submitters will be notified of the outcome.

Information about the decision will be made available online. View concurrent application decisions.

Development permit

A development permit granted through a concurrent application works in the same way as a normal development permit.

Read more in the development permit application process.

If the DCA refuses the development proposal

If the DCA decides not to issue a development permit, the planning scheme amendment will also not come into effect.

You will be issued with a notice of refusal and the reasons for the decision.

Any submitters will also be notified of the decision.

Request a right of review

There is no right under the Planning Act to request a review for a decision to amend the planning scheme.

However, you may have rights of review for the decision made about a development permit if you are:

the applicant or
a person who made a valid submission.

If you have rights of review under the Planning Act, you may apply for review to the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).

For more information, go to the NTCAT website.

If you are an applicant

If you are unhappy with the decision or conditions of your permit you can apply for review.

Your application must be made within 28 days of being notified of the decision.

If you are a submitter

If you made a valid submission, you may have third party rights of review against the development permit in some circumstances.

You must apply within 14 days of being notified of the decision.

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