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Development Assessment Panel (DAP)

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

Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel

The Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel covers the 19 local government areas that comprise the inner region of the Perth metropolitan area, and is one of five Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) in Western Australia. 

The role of a DAP is to provide 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 elected members. 

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

The City is required to prepare and provide a Responsible Authority Report (RAR) to the DAP for developments within the City of Melville (noting some exceptions where the State Government will do this instead). The RAR provides an outline of the proposal, the assessment undertaken against the applicable planning framework, a summary of and responses to any submissions received, and our recommendation.  

In May 2025, the Local Government (Development Assessment Panels) Regulations 2025, came into effect and have mandated that the RAR is prepared by the CEO or delegated officer. Previously, Local Government Councils were able to ‘call-up’ a RAR to a Council meeting to provide elected members opportunity to adopt, edit or make new Recommendation to be made to the DAP. Under the new Regulations, Elected members are not able to have input int the preparation of the RAR, with the RAR required to be solely  prepared by City’s authorised officers.  

The City highly recommends those interested in participating in the decision making process for DAPs to attend the relevant DAP meeting either in person or online  – details of which will be published on the relevant Melville Talks page and provided to submitters in advance of the meeting.  

More information about DAPs can be found on 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 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 $2 million or more can opt in to being determined by the DAP. 

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 

  • Public works  

  • Development wholly within an area identified as a regional reserve under a region planning scheme. 

  • Development in an improvement scheme area. 

Copies of DAP Meeting Agendas and Minutes can be found on their website with older Agendas and Minutes able to be requested from the DAP secretariat with information on their website.  

DAP Meeting Agendas and Minutes 

Guiding Documents

Forms and Documents

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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 or pre-arranged to the lodged electronically with senior staff members. DAP applications lodged via email or electronically without prior arrangement will not be accepted. Each DAP application needs to include the following information as a minimum, in an electronic format (e.g. USB, Dropbox link): 

  • The following completed forms: 

  • A planning report outlining the details of the proposal, including an assessment of the proposal against the applicable planning framework 

  • Certificate(s) of Title  

  • A set of detailed development plans including a feature survey, site plan, floor plans, elevations, perspectives and technical diagrams (i.e. overshadowing, cross ventilation, daylight access and cone of vision). 

  • Technical reports as confirmed by the City prior to lodgement.  

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?

Amendments need to not materially impact the substantial approval and be broadly consistent with the intent of the development approval. Amendment applications may seek to make changes to the development, seek to remove or alter conditions or extend the period of time in which to substantially commence the development.  

There are two paths available to amend a DAP application. You may choose to have the decision made by the DAP (Regulation 17) or by the City (Regulation 17A). If you choose to have the decision made by the DAP you will need to submit the following: 

The following completed forms 

  • A cover letter describing the nature of the development. For extensions of time, information as to the appropriateness of granting the amendment will also need to be covered (i.e. whether the planning framework has substantially altered) 

  • 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 through either updated reports or technical addendums.  

If you choose to have the decision made by the City (Regulation 17A), you will need to complete all of the above information with the exception of the DAP Form 2.  Please note that the City may have either Council or delegated officer determine the application depending on the nature of the application and discretion requested to be exercised.  

In both situations the application is required to be completed within the standard timeframe of 60 or 90 days (depending on whether advertising/referral is required).  

Please note that there are some minor amendments which may not trigger an amendment application as the nature of the amendments do not trigger re-assessment.   

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. Having a complete application which includes all necessary information greatly assists the City in ensuring we can keep to these timeframes. 

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. The meeting is required to be held within 10 days of the RAR due date and as this due date may be extended, the meetings are often not arranged by the DAP secretariat until closer to the due date.

How and when will I know the outcome of my application?
The DAP decides at the scheduled meeting and a copy of the determination will be provided to the applicant by the DAP secretariat.  
Who attends DAP meetings?
DAP meetings are open to the public. The applicant, owner and anyone who has made a submission on the application is invited to the meeting, however members of the public are also able to attend the meeting with the details of the meeting (location and online attendance link) published on the DAP agenda prior to the meeting.  
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. Please note that there are not third-party appeal rights to the State Administrative Tribunal in Western Australia. 

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