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Development Assessment Panel (DAP)

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All major developments over $10 million are automatically referred to our Design Review Panel for review and feedback, and then to the Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel for determination. Find out more about the processes below.

Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel

The Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel covers the local government areas of Belmont, Canning, East Fremantle, Fremantle, Melville, South Perth and Victoria Park, and is one of five Development Assessment Panels (DAP) in Western Australia.

The role of a DAP is to provide consistent, accountable, and professional decision-making on development applications of a certain type and value threshold. Each DAP has five panel members, with three who are specialist members and two who are local government councillors.

The DAP determines development applications as if it were the responsible planning authority, and for developments in City of Melville, refers to the:

Our planning department is required to prepare and provide a Responsible Authority Report to the DAP, which outlines the proposal, the assessment undertaken, a summary of any submissions received, and our recommendation. If the Responsible Authority Report is presented to Council for its information, the minutes of the relevant Council meeting will also be attached to the RAR.

For more information about DAPS, visit the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website. For more information about the process we follow when dealing with a DAP application please refer to Clause 18 of our Local Planning Policy 1.1 ‘Planning Process and Decision Making.’

Applications that get referred to the DAP

All proposed developments that have an estimated construction cost of $10 million or more are referred to the DAP for determination.

Applicants can opt to have their application determined by the DAP if the estimated cost of construction is between $2-10million.

The following types of applications cannot be referred to the DAP for determination:

  • A single house and any associated carport, patio, outbuilding and incidental development
  • Applications for less than 10 grouped or multiple houses and any associated carport, patio, outbuilding and incidental development
  • Developments being undertaken by a local government or the Western Australian Planning Commission.

While the DAP is the decision maker, Council may request for the Responsible Authority Report be presented to them for their information and consideration. When this occurs the minutes of the relevant Council meeting will be attached to the Responsible Authority Report.

DAP Meeting Agendas and Minutes 

Guiding Documents

Forms and Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

What developments are considered a ‘major development’?

A major development is defined in our Local Planning Policy 1.1 Planning Process and Decision Making as any development comprising of:

  • 10 or more grouped or multiple houses; and/or
  • 2,000 m2 or more of commercial floor space
Who appoints the members of the DAP?
Members are appointed by the Minister for Planning.
How do I lodge a DAP application?

All DAP applications need to be lodged in person at our Civic Centre. Each DAP application needs to include the following information as a minimum, in an electronic format (e.g. USB, Dropbox link):

Further information such as an Acoustic Report or Bushfire Attack Level report may be required. We strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss your proposal with a planning officer before you lodge a DAP application.

Can I make minor changes to my DAP approval?

Yes – If you would like to make minor amendments to your approved DAP application there are two paths available. You may choose to have the decision made by the DAP or under delegation by us. If you choose to have the decision made by the DAP you will need to submit the following:

The following completed forms

Application for Planning/Development Approval
  • MRS Form 1
  • DAP Form 1
  • ​Payment of the relevant fee. See our Planning Fees Schedule.
  • A cover letter describing the nature of the development
  • A set of detailed development plans including a feature survey, site plan, floor plans, elevations and perspectives, if changes to the built form are proposed
  • Amendments to the supporting reports if require to justify the proposed amendment

If you choose to have the decision made by us, you will need to complete all of the above information with the exception of the DAP Form 2.

In both situations the application is required to be completed within the standard timeframe of 60 or 90 days.

For further information on what constitutes a minor amendment please refer to the Development Assessment Panel Practice Notes.

How long does it take for the DAP to determine my application?

We aim to process applications within the following guidelines:

  • Where we don’t need to consult with neighbours or external agencies: 60 days.
  • Where we need to consult with neighbours or external agencies: 90 days.

These timelines may sometimes be extended in consultation with the applicant.

How will I know when my application is being determined by the DAP?
We will invite you to the DAP meeting once a meeting date is confirmed
How and when will I know the outcome of my application?
The DAP makes a decision at the scheduled meeting and a copy of the determination will be provided to the applicant by the DAP secretary.
Who attends DAP meetings?
DAP meetings are open to the public. The applicant, owner and anyone who has made a submission about the application is invited to the meeting.
My development proposal is between $2-10 million, who determines it?
We would be the determining authority for the proposal unless you opt to have your application determined by the DAP.
What do I do if I don’t agree with the DAP’s determination?

If you are the applicant or owner and are aggrieved by a decision of the DAP (including in relation to a condition of approval), you will need to appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal within 28 days of the decision.

There are no third party appeal rights in Western Australia.

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The City of Melville acknowledges the Bibbulmun people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the City stands today and pays its respects to the Whadjuk people, and Elders both past and present.

City of Melville nagolik Bibbulmen Nyungar ally-maga milgebar gardukung naga boordjar-il narnga allidja yugow yeye wer ali kaanya Whadjuk Nyungar wer netingar quadja wer burdik.