Implementation of the Development Facilitation Act

Abstract

The first major piece of post-apartheid planning legislation, the Development Facilitation Act, 67 of 1995 (DFA), was promulgated towards the end of 1995. Amongst other things, it provides general principles applicable to planning in all spheres of government; creates a national planning commission; creates a fast-track approval process for development; opens up a new approach to planning through preparation of ‘land development objectives’ (LDOs); and provides for establishment of provincial Development Tribunals as independent bodies to decide on devlopment applications, the basis of whose decisions will be the general principles and LDOs.