The ACT Government’s response to the Standing Committee of Inquiry into Engagement with Development Application Processes has been released. Our submission to this inquiry is quoted many times throughout the report and the final three recommendations (out of a total 66) are particularly encouraging. The Government Response to all three is: Agreed in principle:
64. The Committee recommends that the Territory Plan Review consider whether the Merit Track should be changed so that Development Applications are not just assessed against minimum standards (tick and flick approach) but are also assessed on the overall outcome of the development.
65. The Committee recommends that the Territory Plan Review consider the role of simple rules versus flexible criteria.
66. The Committee recommends that the Territory Plan Review rectify the disconnect between the Development Application process, as per the Territory Plan, and key design and character elements that are articulated in master plans, planning refreshes and zone objectives.
To clarify, DAs are assessed under one of three tracks:
- The Code Track where the rules are applied;
- The Merit Track where the rules can be overridden by vague criteria;
- The Impact Track where the impact of the proposal is significant.