Service Charter for Planning & Development Approvals
NCA planning & development services
Planning and development approval services provided by the National Capital Authority encourage development in Canberra while ensuring that it is in accordance with the Capital's national significance. These services include:
- Reviewingthe National Capital Plan, and proposing amendments to the Plan;
- Providing advice on planning, urban design and development approval in accordance with the Plan;
- Assessing works applications for buildings and structures, demolition, tree felling, landscaping or excavation in areas which are designated as having the special characteristics of the national capital;
- Co-ordinating parliamentary approvals for works proposed within the parliamentary area;
- Preparing lease and development conditions for sites in areas which are designated as having the special characteristics of the national capital; and
- Preparing Development Control Plans for areas which have special requirements applying under the National Capital Plan.
Quality of Service
General - The NCA will:
- Respond to written requests for advice or any complaint within 15 working days;
- Advise you if we are unable to respond to you within the NCA's target time-frames;
- Answer phone inquiries within one working day where such inquiries cannot be dealt with immediately.
National Capital Plan - The NCA will:
- Maintain a current copy of the National Capital Plan on this web site and in the Authority's Information Centre;
- Provide advice on the policies of the National Capital Plan;
- Inform you of the statutory processes involved in amending the National Capital Plan.
Works Approval - The NCA will:
- Inform you on how to lodge your application and of the processes involved in consideration of an application;
- Advise you on relevant planning requirements;
- Provide the opportunity for you to discuss your application before it is formally submitted for approval;
- Register your application and confirm its receipt in writing within three working days;
- Nominate the name and contact details of the person assessing your application;
- Process most applications within 15 working days, and advise you promptly of the result of your application;
- Advise you if we have to refer your proposal to any external agency or where circumstances outside our control might cause delay.
Parliamentary Approval - The NCA will:
- Inform you of the procedures involved in seeking parliamentary approval of works;
- Advise you of the likely timeframe for the approval;
- Advise you promptly of the result of such approval when received.
Lease and Development Conditions - The NCA will:
- Inform you of the procedures involved with the preparation of lease and development conditions;
- Advise you of the relevant provisions of the National Capital Plan that will apply;
- Aim to finalise the preparation of lease and development conditions within 40 working days;
- Advise you if we have to refer draft lease and development conditions to any external agency or where circumstances outside our control might cause delay.
Development Control Plan - The NCA will:
- Inform you of the procedures involved with the preparation and approval of Development Control Plans;
- Advise you of the relevant provisions of the National Capital Plan and Territory Plan that will apply;
- Aim to finalise the preparation and approval of Development Control Plan within 40 working days;
- Advise you if we have to refer the draft Development Control Plan within 40 working days;
- Advise you if we have to refer the draft Development Control Plan to any external agency or where circumstances outside our control might cause delay;
- Maintain a copy of the approved Development Control Plan here