Questions & Answers

What are the most common reasons a Development Application is delayed?

A Development Application (DA) may be delayed if the planning authority needs more information or clarification from the applicant. Delays can also happen if the applicant changes the application after it has been submitted, as this may require the assessment to restart. Other factors that can slow the process include an incomplete or poor-quality application, a complex development proposal that needs more detailed assessment, and high community interest or public submissions that must be reviewed before a decision is made.

 

Refrence: Act Government – Development Application Assessment Process factsheet

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026 Information current as at: 1 September 2026

Short Answer

Development Applications may be delayed by requests for further information, pre-decision advice, amendments to the application, and factors such as the quality of the application, the complexity of the proposal, and the level of community interest.

Detailed Explanation

  1. A Development Application (DA) can take longer than expected for several reasons. One of the biggest causes of delay is when the planning authority needs more information from the applicant. If important details or documents are missing, the authority will ask the applicant to provide them, and the assessment is put on hold until the information is received.

  2. Another reason is pre-decision advice. Before making a final decision, the planning authority may discuss issues with the applicant and suggest changes to address concerns. This process pauses the assessment while the applicant considers and responds to the advice.

  3. If the applicant changes or amends the Development Application after it has been submitted, the assessment timeframe may restart. This is because the planning authority may need to reassess the changes, and in some cases the amended application may require additional review or consultation.

  4. The quality of the application also has a major impact on how quickly it can be assessed. Applications that are complete, accurate, and include all the required plans and supporting information are generally processed more efficiently. Applications with missing documents, errors, or unclear information often take longer because planners need to request corrections or clarification.

  5. The nature or complexity of the proposed development can also affect assessment time. Larger or more complicated projects usually require more detailed review than straightforward proposals, which can increase the time needed to make a decision.

  6. Finally, the level of community interest can influence the assessment process. If a proposal attracts public comments or objections, the planning authority must consider these submissions before making a decision, which can extend the overall assessment period.

Key Point

No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.

Would you like to know what these rules mean for your property?

Get a Planning Assessment prepared by our experienced planning team.

Back to All Questions