Can an entity referral delay the DA?
An entity referral can add time to the DA assessment process, particularly if the entity requests further information or the application needs to be amended and referred again. However, an entity simply failing to respond within its required timeframe should not delay the DA decision. For a standard DA, referral entities generally have 15 working days to provide advice. A further referral following additional information or amendments generally has a 10-working-day response period.
Yes, an entity referral can affect how long a DA takes, but a late response from the entity itself should not hold up the decision indefinitely.
Entity referrals occur at the same time as public notification and DA assessment, so the initial referral does not necessarily add 15 working days on top of the normal assessment period.
Delays are more likely where the entity identifies an issue and asks for further information, or where the proposal is changed and needs to be referred back to the entity.
For example, if an entity reviewing a residential DA needs additional information about infrastructure impacts, ACT Planning may request that information from the applicant. A further information request pauses the DA decision timeframe, and the changed application may then require another entity referral.
Referral: ACT Planning, After you apply - https://www.planning.act.gov.au/applications-and-assessments/development-applications/after-you-apply
Link on the answer: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/applications-and-assessments/development-applications/after-you-apply
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| Dual Occupancy Q&A | #504 | agrees | 27/08/2026 |