This is down from nine working days or fewer in 2013-2014 .

Environment and Planning Directorate officers processed 421 exemption declarations in 2014-2015, down from 562 the previous year.

The exemption declaration process was introduced in 2009 after requests from builders and developers for a fast track for homes designed to be compliant with the Single Dwelling Housing Development Code.

Under the process, EPD is committed to turning applications around in 10 working days.

Canberra builder and ACT Master Builders executive council member Marc Roland said directorate staff had done a "top job".

"It's been super quick," he said. "[Because] these applications are often for properties targeting first home buyers, a faster approval process translates into improved affordability [for the consumer]. Time is money."

However, he is less happy with the time taken to process more complex applications lodged with the EPD's merit assessment section.

Only 71.5 per cent of the 1079 merit assessment applications lodged in 2014-2015 were turned around in the statutory period.

This was a marginal improvement on the 70.6 per cent compliance rate recorded for 1169 applications in 2013-2014.

Merit assessment applications can be complex.

The ACT government's target for these is 30 working days if no representations are made, and 45 working days if representations are received.

Mr Roland said representations, which might not necessarily be formal objections to the proposed developments, could delay the process significantly.

"Perhaps more latitude could be given to what constitutes valid objections," he said.

"The MBA would like to underline the importance of a speedy, efficient and certain planning process when it comes to trying to attract investment and jobs to Canberra. We hope the directorate will stay focused on the need to keep improving the system," he said.

The EPD's impacts and estates assessment section was also busy in the last financial year.

The EPD annual report cited involvement in the University of Canberra public hospital, the 13-megawatt solar facility in Tuggeranong, IKEA, the Symonston secure mental health facility, a low-cost tourist development in Gungahlin and three new estates, Moncrieff, Denman Prospect and Kingston.

"The section approved estate development plans providing for the release of 1131 single dwelling blocks and 16 multi-unit blocks providing for the release of 576 dwellings," planning delivery executive director Jim Corrigan said.

Moncrieff East consists of 730 single dwelling blocks and 15 multi-unit blocks with a combined total of 476 units.

The first stage of Denman Prospect consists of 401 residential blocks and Kingston Block 1 section 67 will deliver 100 units.

EPD impacts and assessment staff also prepared the scoping document for the preparation of the draft environmental impact statement for the Capital Metro Light Rail Project.

On the heritage front, EPD distributed $285,000 to 20 projects under the ACT heritage grants program.

The largest allocation was $59,315 to the Australian Railway Historical Society for a protective cover for Locomotive 1210.

This engine hauled the first train into Canberra in May 1914. The locomotive, which is on the ACT Heritage Register, is 136 years old.

Cultural Heritage Management Australia was allocated $41,050 for a community-based analysis of Aboriginal material amid concerns the current storage facility for the ACT's Aboriginal artefact collection was deteriorating.

Cultural Heritage Management Australia was allocated $24,000 for prehistoric Aboriginal archaeology along the Murrumbidgee.

"The interpretation of Lanyon [heritage precinct] will be expanded with rare artefacts excavated to be used in displays and tours," the EPD report said.