NT Planning Scheme landscaping rules given practical makeover
An amendment to the Northern Territory Planning Scheme has been finalised to improve landscaping outcomes, remove requirements that were producing impractical or ineffective results and better reflect local conditions.
The project was led by David Burrow from Lands Planning and developed in collaboration with others from the department, with input from:
- local councils
- the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (NT Chapter)
- Power and Water Corporation.
The amendment addresses long standing feedback on how landscaping provisions operate across the Territory.
What’s changed
- A clear definition of landscaping has been introduced, focusing on the planting and growing of plants, excluding hard surfaces and synthetic turf unless subordinate to planted areas.
- Clarity has been provided that in Central Business zones; the 10% landscaping requirement must consist only of plantings to reduce heat and enhance visual amenity.
- Discretion is now allowed to vary landscaping requirements for changes of use in existing buildings, helping support social or economic activity in established areas.
- Measures landscaping based on the plant's height at maturity rather than its 2-year growth, which was impractical in areas like Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
- Addition of editor’s notes linking to the recently completed species guide for plant selection.
More information
For more information on the species guide, go to the NT Government website.
