Apply to clear native vegetation on freehold unzoned land
Clearing native vegetation on freehold unzoned land is controlled by the Planning Act 1999 and assessed against the NT Planning Scheme Land Clearing Guidelines PDF (8.4 MB).
This includes:
- most rural areas of Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs
- Aboriginal land
- Crown land.
You must apply for a permit if you want to clear native vegetation and the total cleared area will be more than one hectare. The total includes all clearing on the land.
On land parcels 100ha or more, you can clear up to 10ha if it doesn't contain any significant vegetation.
Significant vegetation is defined in Schedule 2 PDF (261.4 KB) of the NT Planning Scheme 2020.
For more information, read the land clearing fact sheets, available in English, Vietnamese or Khmer.
Clearing on other types of land
For information about clearing:
- pastoral land, read clearing of native vegetation on pastoral land
- zoned land, read apply for a development permit.
To check your land tenure and land zone, go to the NT Atlas and Spatial Data Directory website.
View the assessment pathways flowchart PDF (309.4 KB).
Commercial harvest of threatened flora
Commercial harvest of threatened flora is controlled by the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.
Read about permits to take or interfere with wildlife or call Parks and Wildlife on 08 8999 4795.
Regulatory approvals
Depending on what you want to do, you may need to get different regulatory approvals. If your project:
- has the potential to have a significant impact on the environment, you must refer it to the NT Environment Protection Authority under the Environment Protection Act 2019
- is for irrigated land use, you must have a water extraction licence under the Water Act 1992.
Some approval processes happen at the same time. View the concurrent approvals flowchart PDF (387.8 KB).
You can request an approval map for your project from the Development Coordination Branch. The map will show the different regulatory approvals and timeframes.
To request a map, go to the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment website.
Application process
| About the application | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Submit through the Development Applications Online (DAO) website |
| Fees | Development and planning services fees |
| Advertising | Public exhibition is for 14 or 28 days with:
|
| Processing time | Approximately 3 months |
| Decision maker | Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment or their delegate |
| Administrating branch | Vegetation Assessment Unit, Development Coordination Branch |
Before you apply
Prepare your application before you apply.
Applications must address:
- section 46(3) of the Planning Act 1999
- part 3 PDF (512.7 KB) of the NT Planning Scheme 2020, specifically clause 3.2 (CNV – clearing of native vegetation), including the NT Planning Scheme Land Clearing Guidelines PDF (8.4 MB).
To help you meet the requirements set out in the Act, use the Development Application - Unzoned Land Clearing DOCX (150.2 KB).
Applications must include the following supporting information:
- a proposed clearing plan
- spatial data requirements.
Get advice
You can book a meeting with the Vegetation Assessment Unit to get advice on your proposal before you submit your application.
This may help identify areas that need more information and gives you a chance to improve your application. This may reduce processing timeframes.
To book a meeting, call the Vegetation Assessment Unit on 08 8999 3631 or email landclearing.dlpe@nt.gov.au.
How to apply
To apply, go to the Development Applications Online website.
If you need help with submitting your application, call the Development Coordination Branch on 08 8999 3631.
You will be notified if your application is accepted or more information is needed.
Fees
Once your application is accepted, you can pay the application and advertising fees.
After you apply
Once you pay the fees, your application will be advertised and assessed.
Advertising
Advertising is also known as public exhibition.
During this time, people can learn about your proposal and send written submissions about any concerns.
Public exhibition is for 14 or 28 days:
- notices online:
- pink planning signs must be placed on the land.
The application is also sent to NT Government service authorities and the local council for comment.
You will receive copies of all submissions and comments.
Assessment
After public exhibition, the application is assessed against the NT Planning Scheme 2020. This is called a technical assessment, and you will receive a copy.
We may ask you for more information about your proposal. If we do, we will issue a deferral notice and place your application on hold until you provide the information.
The application will then be reviewed by the Native Vegetation Assessment Panel (NVAP).
NVAP make recommendations for the decision maker to consider. The decision maker is called the consent authority.
NVAP is made up of senior NT Government officers with expertise in:
- water management
- biodiversity conservation
- land resource assessment
- primary industries
- planning.
Decision
The consent authority is given:
- the application
- submissions from public exhibition
- the technical assessment
- NVAP recommendations.
In deciding, the consent authority will consider:
- requirements of the NT Planning Scheme 2020
- any matters under the Planning Act 1999
- merits of the proposal
- any issues raised in submissions
- any impacts on protected culture or heritage values
- whether the land can support the development
- any other matter they think fit.
Application outcomes
The Development Coordination Branch will let you know the outcome of your application.
A copy of the determination is also given to anyone who made a submission during advertising.
Approved development permits include a schedule of conditions.
View all current and approved applications.
Not all applications are approved. If this happens, you can apply for a review through the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).
For more information, go to the NTCAT website.
How long permits last
Permits are valid for 2 years.
Permits will be automatically extended for 2 more years if substantial clearing has started before the original expiry date.
Manage your permit
Read about how to manage your permit.
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