Entity referral happens at the same time as public notification and DA assessment. The DA assessment doesn't have to happen before the entity advice.

The Authority can ask for extra advice if they think the application will impact a matter the entity is interested in.

When entity advice isn't required

There may be times referral to a mandatory referral entity may not be required.

This happens when the applicant consults the entity to develop the application within 6 months before it's lodged and the entity agrees in writing to the proposed development.

This is referred to as pre-DA entity advice. In this case, the entity advice is their written agreement on the DA.

Timeframes for entity advice

Entities must provide advice to the Authority in the following timeframes.

  • Significant development DAs - Stage 1: within 20 working days
  • Significant development DAs - Stage 2: within 10 working days
  • Standard development DA: within 15 working days
  • Further entity referral (i.e. for further information or amendments to DAs): within 10 working days.

Any advice sent after this time carries less weight in the assessment and decision-making process. Advice not provided on time won't delay the decision-making process.