ACT development approvals slow down despite new streamlined planning system
Processing time for major development applications in the ACT rose to 144 days from 128. This happened despite a new streamlined system.
The median approval time for significant development applications in the ACT rose from 128 to 144 days in the past financial year. Other development applications increased from 30 to 32 days.
The outcomes-based planning system was adopted in late 2023 to speed up approvals. The government attributes longer wait times to the complexity of applications.
Developers and the Property Council say the system remains too strict. Multiple information requests and referral advice add time and cost.
The Territory Planning Authority approved 83 per cent of applications within required timeframes. This beat its 75 per cent target.
The government is working on standard advice templates. It is also holding weekly coordination meetings with agencies.
These steps aim to improve consistency and speed.
- 144 days (up from 128)
- Significant DA median time
- 32 days (up from 30)
- Other DA median time
- 83 per cent (target 75%)
- Approvals on time
- Late 2023
- New system adoption
Why it mattersLonger approval times mean housing developments take more years before construction starts. This may slow delivery of the 30,000 homes Canberra aims to build by 2030.
AustraliaCanberrans seeking new homes face delays in the housing pipeline as planning approvals take longer than the government promised.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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