What is the difference between an Assessment Outcome and a Technical Specification?
An Assessment Outcome focuses on the result, rather than prescribing only one design solution. Technical Specifications provide more detailed information—such as dimensions, percentages, distances or other metrics—that can help demonstrate that result.
Example: An Assessment Outcome may require development to provide appropriate privacy between dwellings. The Residential Zones Technical Specifications may then provide measurable solutions relating to matters such as separation or overlooking that can be used to demonstrate that the privacy outcome is achieved.
A proposal does not necessarily have to follow a Technical Specification exactly if another design solution can satisfactorily demonstrate the applicable Assessment Outcome. However, Assessment Requirements are different again—they are mandatory and must be met.
Reference: ACT Planning, Advisory Note 06 – Planning Technical Specifications – Planning Technical Specifications
Short Answer
An Assessment Outcome (AO) states the planning result or outcome that a development proposal must achieve, while a Technical Specification provides technical guidance, possible solutions or measurable benchmarks that can be used to demonstrate how that outcome may be achieved.
In simple terms:
- Assessment Outcome = what the development needs to achieve.
- Technical Specification = a technical way or benchmark for demonstrating how it can be achieved.
Detailed Explanation
ACT Planning's Advisory Note 06 – Planning Technical Specifications explains that Technical Specifications support the Territory Plan by providing detailed technical guidance. They provide “one possible approach, or a benchmark” for addressing technical matters in the preparation and assessment of development proposals.
The Assessment Outcomes, by comparison, are contained within the applicable Territory Plan policies and establish the outcomes against which a proposal is assessed. A development proposal must demonstrate consistency with the relevant Assessment Outcomes.
This distinction means that:
- Assessment Outcome: establishes the planning outcome that needs to be achieved.
- Technical Specification: provides a possible solution, metric or benchmark that assists in demonstrating achievement of that outcome.
- Assessment Requirement: where applicable, establishes a mandatory requirement that must be satisfied.
For example, compliance with the applicable Technical Specification can provide a straightforward way of demonstrating that an Assessment Outcome has been addressed. If an alternative design departs from the specification, the applicant may need to provide additional justification demonstrating how the proposal nevertheless achieves the relevant Assessment Outcome.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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