Developments that are proposed for a Territory Priority Project declaration are required to go through a consultation process.
You can make a submission during the consultation period as to whether these developments should receive a Territory Priority Project declaration.
View Territory Priority Projects currently open for consultation
What is a Territory Priority Project?
A Territory Priority Project (TPP) is a classification of development under the planning system.
A decision on a development application DA for a TPP is exempt from third party appeal rights in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. A TPP could also streamline a Major Plan Amendment process.
How do I know if a project is a TPP?
A TPP can either be:
- defined in section 216 of the Planning Act 2023 (the Act); or
- receive a declaration.
Currently, developments related to light rail, public housing and community housing are all defined in the Act as a TPP.
This means that public housing developments undertaken by Housing ACT will generally by a TPP. Developments undertaken by registered community housing providers, where the development is limited to a maximum of 100 dwellings and is made up of at least 15% community housing dwellings. However, this does not apply to public or community housing developments that require an Environmental Impact Statement or will impact on an Aboriginal object or place.
A TPP declaration is where the Chief Minister and Planning Minister jointly declare that a proposal is a territory priority project.
A declaration is made if the Chief Minister and Planning Minister are satisfied that the proposal:
- would achieve a major government policy outcome that is of significant benefit to the people of the ACT; or
- would help achieve the desired future planning outcomes set out in the ACT Planning Strategy, a relevant District Strategy, the Territory Plan or any relevant zone; or
- is for significant infrastructure or facilities that are of significant benefit to the people of the ACT.
How does the TPP declaration process work?
A TPP declaration must be made before a DA for a proposal is submitted. The declaration process is provided in section 218 of the Act.
The TPP declaration process does not apply to the following proposals:
- Where it relates to light rail, public housing or community housing. These proposals are already defined as a TPP and can proceed straight to the DA stage.
- Where it is on designated land. These proposals do not require a DA with the Territory Planning Authority (as they have works approval by the National Capital Authority).
The TPP declaration process is summarised in the following steps:
A proponent can request the Minister consider their development proposal to be a TPP.
The following information should be provided with the request:
- Proponent and lessee contact details. Also, a letter of authorisation from the lessee for the proponent to act on their behalf, if the proponent is not the lessee.
- The block, section and suburb of the proposal.
- A description of the development proposal.
- An indicative site plan is optional but desirable.
- A statement of claims against each of the required criteria for a TPP declaration under section 218(1)(a) of the Act.
- A description of the major plan amendment (MPA) and supporting report if the proposal requires a MPA. Refer to the Amendments to the Territory Plan page for requirements for a supporting report.
When the request for a TPP declaration is received, the Authority will do an initial assessment of whether it meets the required criteria under section 218 of the Act. This includes referral to relevant agencies.
The Authority will advise the Planning Minister that the request for the TPP declaration was received and seek agreement to proceed to public consultation.
How to make a written comment on a proposed TPP declaration
The Territory Planning Authority (the Authority) invites written comment from the public on proposed TPP declarations that are open for consultation. Proposed TPP declarations that are open for consultation are listed on this page under the 'Territory Priority Projects Declaration – open for consultation' heading.
Consultation period
A proposed TPP declaration is open for comment for a period of at least 15 working days. Public comments are accepted up until 11:59pm on the consultation period end date. The consultation period end date for each proposed TPP declaration is available by clicking the '+' button on the relevant heading below.
Written comments that are not received by the Authority before the consultation period ends might not be considered.
Written comment requirements
The Authority encourages you, prior to commenting, to familiarise yourself with the relevant proposed TPP declaration and any other background documents. These can be found on this webpage, as described above.
Written comments need to include your name and reference to the relevant proposed TPP declaration you are commenting on. The Authority may contact you in relation to your comments to request further information. If you wish to be contacted, you will also need to include at least one method of contact.
Submission of written comments
You can provide written comments through any of the following methods:
- Email: TerrPlan@act.gov.au
- Post:
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601 - In Person:
Access Canberra Building Services Shopfront
8 Darling Street, Mitchell ACT 2911
Where comments are mailed or hand delivered to the addresses above, envelope and documents should be attention to:
Territory Plan and Coordination Section, CED (480 NBA)
Public release of written comments
Written comments received on Territory Priority Projects will be considered, summarised and responded to in a document published on the Authority's website. This may mean the topics raised in comments will be published
Your personal information will be managed in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2014 and the CED Information Privacy Policy.
Should you have concerns about the handling or potential release of information contained in your submission, you can request it be excluded from the public register under part 14.2 of the Planning Act. Requests to exclude comments on proposed TPP declarations from the public register should be emailed to TerrPlan@act.gov.au.
Comments from the public and if required, the National Capital Authority, will be considered by the Authority.
The Authority will provide a summary of consultation and the proposed TPP declaration to the Planning Minister and Chief Minister for consideration and to jointly declare the project as a TPP.
If the proposal is likely to have a significant environmental impact or impact a protected matter or tree, the Authority will consult with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna.
If the proposal relates to a place or object registered or nominated for provisional registration under the Heritage Act 2004 or may impact an Aboriginal object or place, the Authority will consult with the Heritage Council.
As soon as practicable after making the TPP declaration, the Minister must present a statement to the Legislative Assembly setting out the reasons for making the TPP declaration. Timing of the presentation will depend on the Legislative Assembly sitting calendar. The Legislative Assembly may then, within 2 sitting days, approve or refuse the TPP declaration. If the Assembly does not pass a resolution in that timeframe, it is taken to be approved.
The TPP declaration commences after it is approved by the Legislative Assembly and made public on the Planning website. The DA can only be submitted for the TPP after the declaration commences.
What does it mean for the MPA process if a proposal is a TPP?
Will a TPP declaration fast track the MPA process?
If a proposal is declared a TPP, there is the option for the MPA process to be fast tracked. The 2 stages this can occur is:
- Public consultation stage: if the MPA is publicly notified at the same time as the TPP draft declaration, the MPA is not required to be notified again (standard consultation on a MPA is minimum 30 working days).
- Standing Committee inquiry: if the relevant Assembly Standing Committee decide to undertake an inquiry into the MPA, the Minister can request that the inquiry be completed in 3 months, rather than the standard 6 months.
What does it mean for the DA process if a proposal is a TPP?
Will a TPP declaration fast track the DA decision?
No. If a proposal is declared a TPP, the DA will follow the normal process, including public notification and referral to entities for advice. More information is available in the Guide to Development Applications (PDF 771.7 KB).
Planning Minister decides the DA
The decision on a DA for a TPP is made by the Planning Minister, who can make additional approval decisions that the Authority cannot make.
The Minister can approve a DA where it is contrary to advice of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna on whether the proposal will:
- affect registered and other significant trees, but only if:
- it does not involve a protected matter under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) or Nature Conservation Act 2014 (ACT);
- they have considered the applicable desired outcomes in the Territory Plan;
- it had an environmental impact statement, they have considered any reasonable alternative development options; and
- it will significantly improve the planning outcomes to be achieved.
- have a significant adverse environmental impact on a protected matter, but only if:
- it is consistent with the offsets policy; and
- it would provide a substantial public benefit.
Appeal rights
A decision on a DA for a TPP is exempt from third party appeal in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT). This means that stakeholders such as the community or representors on the DA are not able to make an application to ACAT for review.
Despite this, the TPP declaration or an associated decision on a DA, environmental impact statement or lease can be taken to the ACT Supreme Court. There is a 2-month timeframe to commence these proceedings.
Territory Priority Project Declarations – open for consultation
There are no results currently available for this section.
Territory Priority Project Declarations – closed for consultation
There are no results currently available for this section.
Territory Priority Project Declarations – commenced
The proposed Inner South Health Centre has been jointly declared by the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, and the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development, Chris Steel MLA, as a Territory Priority Project (TPP) under section 218 of the Planning Act 2023 (the Act).
The TPP declaration has now commenced after being approved by the Legislative Assembly and publicly notified. Subsequent Development Applications (DAs) can only be submitted for the TPP after the declaration commences.
The proposed Inner South Health Centre (to be located on the corner of Throsby Crescent and Throsby Lane in Griffith) satisfies the criteria under section 218)(1) of the Act.
The proposed TPP Declaration for the Inner South Health Centre was open for public consultation from 7 October 2025 to 19 November 2025. Late comments were accepted until 10 December 2025.
This development proposal is also subject to a Draft Major Plan Amendment - Draft Major Plan Amendment (DPA-06).
Next steps
A DA for the development proposal can be submitted after the TPP declaration commences and after the relevant major plan amendment (Draft Major Plan Amendment 06 – Inner South Health Centre) commences and the changes take effect in the Territory Plan.
The decision on a DA for a TPP is made by the Planning Minister. A decision on a DA for a TPP is exempt from third party appeal in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
Territory Priority Projects Declaration
TPP Declaration and Statement of Reasons – Inner South Health Centre [PDF 663.1 KB]
Background papers
Background papers for Draft Major Plan Amendment 06 – Inner South Health Centre are available on the Major Plan Amendments webpage, under the heading "Draft Major Plan Amendment 06 – Inner South Health Centre"
The Northside Hospital Project (including Early and Enabling Works) has been jointly declared by the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, and the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development, Chris Steel MLA, as a Territory Priority Project (TPP) under section 218 of the Planning Act 2023 (the Act).
The TPP declaration has now commenced after being approved by the Legislative Assembly and publicly notified. Subsequent Development Applications (DAs) can only be submitted for the TPP after the declaration commences.
The Northside Hospital Project at Bruce Section 1 Block 4 satisfies the criteria under section 218(1) of the Act.
The proposed Territory Priority Project (TPP) Declaration for the Northside Hospital Project including Early and Enabling Works was open for public consultation from 6 November 2025 to 27 November 2025.
Next steps
A DA for the development proposal can be submitted after the TPP declaration commences.
The decision on a DA for a TPP is made by the Planning Minister. A decision on a DA for a TPP is exempt from third party appeal in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
Territory Priority Projects Declaration
TPP Declaration and Statement of Reasons – Northside Hospital Project [PDF 588.3 KB]
Contact us
TPP declaration process enquiries
Email: terrplan@act.gov.au
General enquiries
Phone: 02 6205 2888
Email: planningenquiries@act.gov.au
