The Planning and Land Authority is an agency of the Government of the Australian Capital Territory, which advises the Minister for Planning, currently Mick Gentleman.
The Authority states that under the Planning and Development Act 2007, it is required to:
administer the Territory Plan;
continually assess the Territory Plan and propose amendments as necessary;
plan and regulate the development of land;
advise on planning and land policy, including the broad spatial planning framework for the ACT;
implement sustainable transport planning;
maintain the digital cadastral database;
make available land information;
grant, administer, vary and end leases on behalf of the Executive;
grant licenses over unleased Territory land;
decide applications for approval to undertake development;
regulate the building industry;
make orders under the ACT Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991, part 6 (approvals and orders);
provide planning services, including services to entities outside the ACT;
review its own decisions;
provide administrative support and facilities for the Planning and Land Council;
ensure community consultation and participation in planning decisions; and
promote public education and understanding of the planning process, including by providing easily accessible public information and documentation on planning and land use.
The Authority states that it performs its functions independently, free from day-to-day political influences. However, in practice under the former Minister for Planning, Simon Corbell, the Authority often followed direct instruction from the Minister.
