The Development Assessment Panel (DAP) system was established in 2011 with the intention of creating a more streamlined planning assessment process and to establish a better balance between professional advice and community representation for significant development proposals. 

Since 2016, WALGA has undertaken periodic reviews of the decision-making of DAPs to assess their ability to deliver on the above objectives. The reports support WALGA's advocacy position against the continuation of the DAP system and highlight the need for various reforms to ensure the system operates in an efficient, effective and transparent way, and one where matters of local planning context are adequately considered by decision makers. These summary reports have been made available to enhance awareness of DAP effectiveness:
  • 2011-2016 report here
  • 2011-2020 report here
In addition, the data collected across 2011-2020 can be explored through the DAP Dashboard, an interactive tool enabling users to sort and filter data on DAP applications: