Central Darwin Area Plan

Central Darwin Area Plan in NT Planning Scheme

The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, has amended the NT Planning Scheme to include the Central Darwin Area Plan as a policy document and a number of minor amendments to the NT Planning Scheme in response to the introduction of the document.

Amendment #518 came into effect on publication in the NT News on 15 November 2019.

View the amendment instrument (redirects to nt.gov.au)
The Central Darwin Area Plan may be downloaded from the NT Planning Scheme 'Referenced documents: policies' page on nt.gov.au
The Needs Assessment document is also available from the NT Planning Scheme 'Background material' page on nt.gov.au

Introduction

The Central Darwin Area Plan (CDAP) provides long-term guidance for land use and development for areas from the Waterfront to Cullen Bay, including Frances Bay, Larrakeyah, the former Tank Farm and the city centre.

This project to develop the Central Darwin Area Plan was an opportunity to bring together and build on previous studies, projects and consultation to strengthen Central Darwin as the heart of a vibrant, functional, and attractive capital.

Image: Land Use Vision Map for Central Darwin - Download a PDF of this image PDF (287.0 KB)

What is an Area Plan?

Area Plans are land use and development policies within the Northern Territory Planning Scheme which guide the future use and development of land and provide a detailed framework for land use change. These plans contain planning principles and objectives to give the community, industry, and decision-makers confidence and understanding about potential land uses.

Area Plans in the Darwin region build on the overarching direction provided by the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan. Planning is informed by population and infrastructure studies with stakeholder and community feedback being a key influence. Area planning also provides an opportunity for authorities like Power and Water Corporation and local councils to plan for future infrastructure services such as power, water, and sewerage.

There are two main components to an Area Plan.

The land use vision map shows where opportunities for land use change exist.
The planning principles clarify the vision and requirements that apply to future development in the areas covered by the Area Plan.

An Area Plan must be considered by the Minister or the Development Consent Authority whenever a rezoning or development is proposed. Area Plans do not alter existing use rights and land can continue to be used in accordance with the current land-use zone.

Area Plans also do not automatically rezone land. If a landowner wants to develop in accordance with the Area Plan, the landowner must first rezone the land by applying to the Minister responsible for administering the Planning Act.

Area Plans try to look as far ahead as possible but, in time, they may be reviewed to meet the future needs and aspirations of the community. Any change to an Area Plan is a Planning Scheme Amendment and must follow the process set out in the Planning Act, including public exhibition.

The Area Planning process

The Central Darwin Area plan was developed over three stages.

Stage One occurred from 24 October 2017 to 24 November 2017, and included the release of a discussion paper and first round of up front community consultation. Information stalls were held across the study area and written submissions were invited.

Stage Two occurred from 1 December 2018 to 22 February 2019, and included the release of the Draft Central Darwin Area Plan and the Draft Needs Assessment for consultation. Feedback received during the consultation period is being considered in developing the final Area Plan

3 stage process for creating an Area Plan - Stage 2 highlighted

Resources and reading material

Final documents

The documents below are located on external websites. They will open in a new window.

View the amendment instrument
Central Darwin Area Plan

The Central Darwin Area Plan is a vision to guide the future development of land within Central Darwin. The Area Plan will inform the assessment of requests to vary scheme provisions, change land use, and/or rezone property.
The Central Darwin Area Plan may be downloaded from the NT Planning Scheme 'Referenced documents: policies' page on nt.gov.au

Needs Assessment

The Area Plan is accompanied by a Needs Assessment which contains a record of investigations and community feedback that has informed the Area Plan. The Needs Assessment is intended to sit within the background documents section of the NT Planning Scheme. It is recommended that the Needs Assessment be consulted where there are questions about interpretation or the policy positions advocated for by the draft Area Plan.
The Needs Assessment document is available from the NT Planning Scheme 'Background material' page on nt.gov.au

Stage 3 - Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment

This stage is a statutory process under the Planning Act 1999.

Stage 2 - NT Planning Commission consultation on draft Area Plan

Stage 1 - NT Planning Commission consultation on Discussion Paper

Flyer – Area Planning for Central Darwin (PDF 692KB)
Discussion Paper – Area Planning for Central Darwin (PDF 8MB)
Stage 1 Media Release (PDF 91KB)

Background resources

These documents are located on external websites. They will open in a new window.

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Central Darwin Area Plan