FAQs

What is Physical Planning Division?

Physical Planning is the people combining resources and ideas/knowledge to facilitate economic development upon land. It is the spatial expression of the desired form of social and economic development.

What is the role of Development Planning?

Development Planning prepares or facilitate preparation of physical development plans for urban, provincial and local areas of Papua New Guinea .

What is the role of OCPP in the plan making process?

The role of the OCPP is give advice and assist with statutory procedures, preparation of TOR and monitor the progress evaluate and report to the National Physical Planning Board.

Who prepares Development plans?

Development plans should be prepared by the provincial governments, Local Level Governments or private consultants, with assistance, advices and directions from the Office of Chief Physical Planner

What is the role of Framework?

The framework formulates physical planning policies in land use, urban resettlement, subdivision design, infrastructure and urbanization. It also sets planning guidelines and monitors planning standards through preparation or review of circulars and handbooks and inspections of performance of offices and boards.

What policy matters are being dealt with by the framework unit?

•  Sustainable Land Use Policy being drafted.
•  National Urbanization Policy being drafted.

What is the role of Development Assessment?

Development assessment assesses development proposals submitted to the Boards. It also provides services to the National Physical Planning Board and The PNG Physical Planning Appeals Tribunal.

How soon should the decisions of the Board be notified to the applicants?

Respective Boards are required by the Physical Planning Act to deliver decisions of the Board within 14 days from the date of the decision.

What is the zoning of land?

The zoning of land in each town is referred to each respective zoning plan of towns declared physical planning areas.

How often do the Boards meet in a year?

It is the requirement of the Physical Planning Act, Section 15 (2) that the Boards must meet once every quarter of each year if there are applications to be considered.

Where do I lodge my planning application?

Applicants are required to lodge their planning applications at each provincial physical planning offices nationwide.

How much do I pay to lodge the planning applications?

The fees payment depends on the type application forwarded. The Development assessment coordinators in each province should assist applicants to calculate the amount of fees required.

What is the time frame for consideration of planning applications?

Applications should be considered within 3 months of receipt, acknowledgement and registration by the Physical Planning Offices

Who considers the applications ?

Conforming Use applications and Deem permission applications are issued with certificates by development assessment coordinators in each province without going through the Board system.
Non compliant applications are considered either by the Provincial Physical Planning Boards, the NCD Physical Planning Board or the National Physical Planning Board respectively depending on where the development takes place.

Why should appeals be made to the PNG Physical Planning Appeals Tribunal?

Appeals are made for the following circumstances:-
•  Refusal of applications by Boards.
•  A condition imposed on approval of planning permission
•  An order for the preservation of trees.
•  A requirement by a Board to supply additional information
•  Non determination within the prescribed time
•  A Stop Work Notice under Section 99 (1).
•  A Demolition Notice under Section 99 (2).
•  The declaration of a zone under Section 71, (except as provided under subsection (3), provided that in the case of paragraph (f) and (g), the appeal may only be used on the grounds that the operations are authorized under the Act.

Are all appeals considered valid to go to the Tribunal?

Appeals are valid if submitted to the Tribunal within three months from the date of the decision.

What is the fees for appeal?

The revised Physical Planning Regulation 2003 has included fees for appeals and it is K500.00.

How often does the Tribunal meet each year?

It is the requirement of the Physical Planning Act that the Tribunal must meet once every quarter if there are appeal matters to be considered.

What happens after the appeal process?