Housing industry insights
Advocacy & policy
News & inspiration
Support & guidance
Member perks
Industry insurance
For your business
Apprentices
Building it right
Managing your business
Managing your safety
Building your business
Other subjects
A rewarding career
Study with us
A job in the industry
Grow with us
Our podcasts
Our initiatives
Get involved
Awards
Awards winners
Industry events
Most popular products
Top categories
For your business
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationMember and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Delegated development assessment
HIA's Position statement
- HIA supports the introduction of delegated development assessment in planning to ease the burden on planning authorities and see improved performance of planning systems.
- Suitable models of delegated development assessment could include but are not be limited to:
- Pre Lodgment Endorsement – whereby a private sector planner would sign off on certain essential key elements of the planning application such as that the application complies with the planning scheme requirements, is complete and that affected parties have notified.
- Assessment to Report Stage – whereby a private sector planner undertakes pre-lodgment endorsement and adds the notification procedure and undertakes to make a formal assessment and drafting of a report to Council officers or Council.
- Full Approval Process – whereby a private sector planner undertakes the full planning process including full report writing and being empowered to make a decision and simply lodge the determined application (similar to the manner in which building certification occurs) with the local authority. Items which are able to be ‘code assessed’ are ideal for a full approval process.
- All jurisdictions should ensure delegated development assessment is available to a planning authority (i.e. local councils) for any planning matters, including engineering works, requiring planning approval that are able or required to be code assessed. That is, any matter that is able to be code assessed by a Planning Authority should also be eligible for a suitably qualified planning, engineering or building professional to ‘sign off’ and issue the appropriate approval or report.
- A request to amend a matter that has been code assessed using delegated development assessment should also be able to be assessed in the same manner.
- State Governments should maintain a suitable list of private planning consultants that meet the requirements for undertaking delegated development assessment. Any consultant not acceptable to a council should be entitled to appeal that decision to either the State Planning Minister or the relevant State Appeals Tribunal.
- Governments should investigate the use and implementation of modern technologies, such as online assessment models and digital portals to improve planning assessment and determination timeframes and assist and encourage private sector planning involvement.
Background
This policy was previously titled Certification in Planning.
Rather than a threat private sector or third party involvement in development assessment should be seen as a means of improving a Council’s development assessment performance.
Local Governments particularly those struggling with heavy workloads, in regional locations, or those unable to attract qualified staff should facilitate a process whereby suitably qualified professionals could assist the council to assess and potentially approve low risk development applications on behalf of the council.
Access to a pool of additional appropriately qualified professionals to undertake routine assessments of applications that meet codified requirements set by that council should allow more time for key staff to undertake more strategic activities such as policy development and assessment of more complex merit based development applications.
The introduction of ‘code assess’ measures by many state governments has led to a more objective approach to many simple applications.
It is this area of planning which could logically lend itself to the further introduction of delegated development assessment in planning – due to the simple nature of the applications with technical assessment measures.
Delegated Development Assessment could be easily integrated into applications for routine items that still require planning permission (fences, single dwellings and so forth) leaving authorities better placed to deal with applications that require more detailed assessment and strategic consideration.
Delegated Development Assessment is a process that enables suitably qualified persons to determine compliance of a matter with regulatory controls or standards.
Whilst there is wide scope for the private sector to assist with all aspects of the planning process, authorities are reluctant to introduce it as a valid part of the planning assessment process.
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!
Was this page helpful?
Implementing carpentry registration and licensing Consultation Paper
Imposing registration and licensing on trades represents a significant impost, further degrading the capacity to deliver homes and other domestic building work. This submission, therefore, is not limited to responding to the Consultation Paper, rather, it addresses more broadly the significant risks that imposing registration and licensing on trades will have on the sector.
Anambah to Branxton Draft Structure Plan
HIA supports a robust and enduring Anambah to Branxton Structure Plan, but it must be based on accurate and current evidence. It should facilitate projects capable of delivering housing in the near term rather than constrain them through potentially incorrect mapping, unsupported assumptions or inappropriate sequencing.
Locked Out: Fixing Tasmania's Land Supply Crisis
Tasmania is building only half the homes it needs, delivering 2,456 new homes in 2024/25 against a National Housing Accord target of 5,022, the lowest performance of any state. The challenge is not a lack of demand, buyers or building capacity. Instead, Tasmania faces a critical shortage of serviced residential land.
Draft North Queensland Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan
HIA considers the Draft North Queensland Regional Plan presents an important opportunity to modernise regional planning settings and move towards a more evidence-based, best-practice regulatory framework.
Review of health and air monitoring requirements for hazardous chemicals
HIA responded to Safe Work Australia Consultation Paper: Review of health and air monitoring requirements for hazardous chemicals of the model Work Health and Safety laws.
Federal discretionary trust changes smash property industry confidence and investment
Joint statement by the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Master Builders Australia (MBA), the Property Council of Australia (PCA), the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) and the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).