Planning and Environment Act 1987

Before a responsible authority makes a decision in respect of an application for a permit in accordance with section 61, the Minister may direct the responsible authority to refer the application to the Minister if it appears to the Minister—

that the application raises a major issue of policy and that the determination of the application may have a substantial effect on the achievement or development of planning objectives; or

that the decision on the application has been unreasonably delayed to the disadvantage of the applicant; or

that the use or development to which the application relates is also required to be considered by the Minister under another Act or regulation and that consideration would be facilitated by the referral of the application to the Minister.

The responsible authority must comply with the direction without delay and must not proceed further with the application.