Hearings
About Planning Commission hearings
The Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment is the person who makes the final decision about all applications for rezoning, planning scheme amendments and exceptional development permits.
If an application for rezoning, planning scheme amendment or exceptional development is lodged with the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, the Planning Commission can hold a hearing on the submissions received on behalf of the Minister.
Applications on exhibition / open for comment
For the list of all planning scheme amendments, rezonings and exceptional development permits that are currently open for comment, go the Development Applications Online website.
When is a hearing needed?
A hearing is needed when:
- the Planning Commission receives written submissions about an application; and
- the Chairperson of the Planning Commission is satisfied that a hearing would provide further useful information.
If the Chairperson decides a hearing may not be needed, the Planning Commission will write (send a notice) to the local government council and people who made a written submission about the application.
Those people will be able to respond to the notice.
After considering any responses, the Chairperson will make a final decision about whether to hold a hearing or not.
If a hearing is not needed, the Planning Commission gives a report to the Minister about:
- all the issues raised in the submissions
- the reason no hearing was held
- and any other matters the Planning Commission thinks should be taken into account when the Minister makes a decision about the application.
When a hearing is held
Planning Commission hearings are held when needed.
When held, Planning Commission hearings must be held with a minimum of formality, and in a way that ensures procedural fairness.
Planning Commission hearings are usually open to the public.
The Planning Commission will invite all of the following to the hearing:
- NT service authorities
- local government
- and people who made written submissions about the application.
Before the hearing, a report will be written by the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment. The report will give the Planning Commission details of the application and issues that have been raised in submissions.
These reports will usually be available to download two days before a hearing.
The Chairperson or presiding member will invite the applicant to discuss their application.
People who made a submission about the application, including local government and NT service authorities, will also be invited to speak about their submission.
People speaking at the hearing should address their comments to the Planning Commission, not to the applicant or other people at the hearing.
The Planning Commission and Department of Lands, Planning and Environment staff will attend the hearing and may take notes that will help the Planning Commission write the report to the Minister after the hearing.
The Planning Commission gives a report to the Minister about all the issues raised at the hearing and in the submissions, and any other matters that the Planning Commission thinks should be taken into account when the Minister makes a decision about the application.
The Planning Commission does not make any decisions on planning scheme amendments, rezoning or exceptional development permit applications.
Hearing dates and agendas
Hearings are held when needed. Reports to the Planning Commission on submissions received are usually available on this page two days before a hearing.
The following dates have been identified for NTPC hearings throughout the remainder of 2026.
Location and times will be determined ahead of each identified hearing date.
- Thursday 7 May 2026
- Tuesday 2 June 2026
- Thursday 2 July 2026
- Thursday 6 August 2026
- Thursday 3 September 2026
- Thursday 1 October 2026
- Thursday 5 November 2026
- Thursday 3 December 2026
Additional dates may be added if required.
Darwin - Thursday 7 May 2026
- Wanaka Room, Level 2 Energy House
18 Cavenagh Street, Darwin - Videoconference is available on request. Contact NTPC for details
Session 1: 9.00am start
ITEM 1 - Proposed Exceptional Development Permit (EDP) PA2026/0046 - Lot 1212 (159) Mitchell St, Larrakeyah, Town of Darwin.
- Child care centre in 1 x 2 story building.
Session 2: 10.15am start
ITEM 2 - Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) PA2025/0161 - Part Lot 4806 (133) Bagot Road, Ludmilla, Town of Darwin
- Amend the Darwin Mid Suburbs Area Plan to designate part Lot 4806 as an Activity Centre; and
- Rezone part Lot 4806 from Zone CL (Community Living) to Zone C (Commercial) .
Details are provided below for hearings conducted within the past 6 months, or longer where the proposal subject to the hearing remains undetermined.
Contact Planning Commission Secretariat if you require details of older hearings.
Darwin - Tuesday 3 February 2026
- Wanaka Room, Level 2 Energy House
18 Cavenagh Street, Darwin
Session 1: 9.00am - 11.00am
ITEM 1 - Proposed Exceptional Development Permit (EDP) PA2025/0416 - Lot 5437 (8) Conacher St, Town of Darwin.
- Caravan Park (Recreational Vehicle Park) in 3 stages.
- Report to the Planning Commission and attachments PDF (18.2 MB)
This is a large file. Individual components are linked below.
- Report to the Planning Commission and attachments PDF (18.2 MB)
Session 2: 11.15am - 12.00pm
ITEM 2 - Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment PA2025/0376 - Lot 4360 (12) Dinah Beach Road, Town of Darwin
- Rezone from Zone GI (General Industry) to Zone MR (Medium Density Residential) and Zone HR (High Density Residential).
- Report to the Planning Commission and attachments PDF (11.4 MB)
This is a large file. Individual components are linked below.
- Report to the Planning Commission and attachments PDF (11.4 MB)
Session 3: 1.00pm - 3.00pm
ITEM 3 - Proposed Exceptional Development Permit (EDP) PA2025/0413 - Lot 1222 (4) Berry Pl, Millner, Town of Nightcliff
- Dwelling-group (6 x 2 bedroom) in 3 buildings.
- Report to the Planning Commission and attachments PDF (16.4 MB)
This is a large file. Individual components are linked below. - Applicant response to submissions (to be tabled at hearing) PDF (235.7 KB)
- Report to the Planning Commission and attachments PDF (16.4 MB)
ITEM 4 - Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment PA2025/0395 – Part Lot 9375 (422) Trower Rd, Town of Nightcliff
- Rezone Part Lot 9375 from Zone CN (Conservation) to Zone OR (Organised Recreation).
Darwin - Friday 14 November 2025
- Videoconference; and
- Wanaka Room, Level 2 Energy House
18 Cavenagh Street, Darwin
Session 1 - 12.30pm start
Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment PA2025/0296 - Lot 2850 (2) Scott Street, Fannie Bay
Subdivision to create 2 lots.
- Combined report to NTPC and attachments PDF (9.3 MB)
(Note this is a large file. The individual components can be downloaded separately below)
Session 2 - 2.00pm start
Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment PA2025/0283 - Lot 3494 (12) Doctors Gully Road and Lot 5727 (121) Mitchell Street, Larrakeyah
Rezone land from Zone LMR (Low-Medium Density Residential) to a Specific Use zone to facilitate social and affordable housing.
- Combined report to NTPC and attachments PDF (7.1 MB)
(Note this is a large file. The individual components can be downloaded separately below)
Darwin - Wednesday 23 July 2025, 9.30am
- Videoconference; and
- Wanaka Room, Level 2 Energy House
18 Cavenagh Street, Darwin
Item - Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment PA2024/0408 - Lot 11258 (7) Waratah Crescent, Fannie Bay
Rezone land from Zone MR (Medium Density Residential) to Specific Use Zone.
- Combined report to NTPC and attachments PDF (40.2 MB)
(Note this is a large file. The individual components can be downloaded separately below)
Litchfield - Monday 30 June 2025, 10am
- Palm A room, Rydges Palmerston,
15 Maluka Dr, Palmerston
Item 1 - Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment PA2024/0093 - Amend Part 2 (Strategic Framework) of the NT Planning Scheme 2020 to include the Lloyd Creek Rural Village Area Plan.
- Combined report to NTPC and attachments PDF (29.6 MB)
(Note this is a large file. The individual components can be downloaded separately below)
Wagait Beach - Monday 26 May 2025, 11.30am
- Cox Country Club, 103 Cox Drive Wagait Beach
Item 1 - Exceptional Development Permit PA2024/0177 - Lot 221 Hundred of Bray (15 Erickson Cres, Wagait Beach).
Caravan Park (‘glamping' tents) and ancillary amenity building
- Report to the Planning Commission PDF (395.2 KB)
- Attachment A to report - Application PDF (6.6 MB)
- Attachment B to report - Submissions PDF (18.7 MB)
Reports to the Minister
The below reports from the NT Planning Commission to the Minister after hearing are made available at the request of the Minister.
| Hearing Date | Proposal Type | Parcel Details | Proposal | Report Date | Document Link | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12/2023 | EDP | NT Portion 3164 (50) Lansdowne Rd, Lansdowne NT | Rooming Accommodation (Workers Village) and ancillary amenities including kitchen/dining and indoor/outdoor recreational areas for up to 256 people, primarily to facilitate ongoing construction activities at RAAF Base Tindal | 14/12/2023 | The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics decided to release the NT Planning Commission's Report in relation to PA2023/0345 on 26 March 2024. | |
| 31/7/2018 | EDP | Lot 6774 (8) Albrecht Drive Larapinta, Town of Alice Springs | Proposed exceptional development permit for the purpose of installation of 4 x 34.5m high lighting towers (ancillary to leisure and recreation use) | 13/9/2018 | The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics decided to release the NT Planning Commission's Report in relation to PA2018/0120 on 10 April 2019. | |
| 31/1/2019 | PSA | Section 67 (125) Mcfarland Road, Pinelands, Hundred of Bagot | Proposal to rezone from Zone GI (General Industry) to Zones CP (Community Purpose) and FD (Future Development) to facilitate a rehabilitation precinct including a new Youth Justice Centre. | 14/2/2019 | The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics decided to release the NT Planning Commission's Report in relation to PA2018/0457 on 13 March 2019. |