Which neighbours will be notified?
In practical terms, notification may be sent to:
- neighbours beside your property;
- neighbours behind your property;
- relevant neighbours directly across the street; and
- potentially other nearby neighbours if ACT Planning considers they could be affected by the proposal in a similar way.
The exact neighbours notified therefore depend on the shape and location of the block and the surrounding properties.
Reference: ACT Planning: Development Application Public Notification and Representations – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/2323014/development-application-public-notification-representations.pdf
Short Answer
For an ACT Development Application, ACT Planning will generally notify adjoining residential neighbours.
This includes properties that share a boundary with the subject site and can also include properties separated from the site only by a road, creek or similar division.
Detailed Explanation
Under the Planning Act 2023 (ACT), the Territory Planning Authority's public-notification process includes written notification concerning adjoining land. The legislation also allows the Authority to notify certain non-adjoining land where it considers that land may be affected by the proposal in a similar way.
Accordingly, notification should not be understood as simply “the neighbour on each side.” The relevant adjoining land is determined by the site's cadastral relationship to surrounding blocks, including circumstances where land is separated by a road, creek or similar division.
For a particular development, the Block, Section and Suburb can be used to work out which properties are likely to receive notification.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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