Dual Occupancy in Zone SD (Single Dwelling Residential)

Update - October 2017

On 3 October 2017, the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics amended the NT Planning Scheme to remove the provisions that allowed the development of dual occupancies in Zone SD because:

  • The provisions for dual occupancies in Zone SD (Single Dwelling Residential) have been suspended since the introduction of Interim Development Control Order No. 23 on 19 October 2016.
  • Removing the provisions for dual occupancies in Zone SD (Single Dwelling Residential) will maintain the purpose of the zone, which is to provide for single dwellings on individual lots, preserving the residential amenity and lifestyle of many Territorians who live on large urban lots.
  • Landowners and developers may use already available processes to seek to rezone land and develop multiple dwellings.

More information about Planning Scheme Amendment Number 483 (PDF) can be found on the Planning Scheme Amendments Page on the NT Government Website (external link).

Previous Commission Work

The Planning Commission undertook extensive community consultation to develop a range of land use plans, including Area Plans for Darwin’s Inner and Mid-Suburbs; the Holtze locality; land use plans for Alice Springs and Katherine; a Sub Regional plan for the Litchfield area and the overarching Darwin Regional Land Use Plan.

Throughout this consultation, the concepts of ‘dual occupancy’ and the subdivision of Single Dwelling (SD) lots have been raised by many residents in the community.

Most other Australian jurisdictions have policies relating to dual occupancy, which generally refers to the ability to develop a second dwelling on what has previously been a single residential lot.

For some residents, subdividing a larger lot would provide an opportunity for renewal and revitalisation while maintaining the existing character of the suburb. For older residents, smaller blocks are found to be easier to maintain, and would enable residents to remain in their established community.

From a strategic planning perspective, dual occupancy helps to deliver diversity in housing choice and affordability for changing demographics as well as a more compact urban form to reduce urban sprawl and maximise efficiencies through existing infrastructure.

The Planning Commission released a discussion paper and draft proposal in March 2016 and held a series of briefings in the urban areas of the NT. We received some very useful and constructive feedback on the draft proposal with several key themes emerging from the consultation. A revised proposal which incorporated feedback received through the consultation process was recommended to the Minister for Lands and Planning in May 2016.

On 13 May 2016, the Minister for Lands and Planning placed the dual occupancy proposal for a 28 day period of public exhibition as proposed amendment to the NT Planning Scheme.

Note:

Documents available here for completed Planning Commission projects are final in relation only to the Planning Commissions’ work.

The Minister is the decision-maker on all proposed amendments to the NT Planning Scheme. Documents included in the NT Planning Scheme are not necessarily identical to those prepared by the NT Planning Commission.

Refer to the NT Planning Scheme page on the NT Government website to view documents currently included in the NT Planning Scheme.