Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016

This section applies in relation to development of a class specified by the Planning and Design Code.

A person who is considering the undertaking of development to which this section applies may apply to a design panel for advice.

An application under this section must—

be in a form determined by the Commission; and

include any information specified by the Commission; and

be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

If an application is made, a design panel will be established under a scheme determined by the Minister for the purposes of this section.

The design panel may provide advice about 1 or more of the following:

the form or content of the proposed development; and

how the proposed development might be changed or improved; and

other matters that may assist with the assessment of the development; and

such other matters as the design panel thinks fit.

A design panel may, in acting under this section, adopt such procedures as it thinks fit.

A relevant authority must, in acting under this Act, take into account any advice provided by a design panel (insofar as may be relevant to the assessment of proposed development by the relevant authority).

No action may be brought against a member of a design panel on the basis of any advice or other action given or taken by a design panel under this section.