Public officials do not make decisions where they can be delayed...

Public officials do not make decisions where they can be delayed or avoided. There is a cost to them and their political masters for making decisions and that is that they must be made public and will always attract attention and criticism for which they will be held accountable. If there is an opportunity cost of deferring or not making a decision then it is of no concern to them. They do not pay any opportunity cost.

The opportunity cost is paid by the applicant and their owners/shareholders - ie us and so why should the public official care. The only way to accelerate the decision is for the proponent to continue pressuring both the public authority and the relevant politicians. The pressure can be applied by frequently asking questions of the public officer "is there anything else you require to get to a decision?" When they refer back to another department ask who in that department handles the matter. "Should I speak with the Minister?" "So if there is no further information you need, when can we expect the report to go to the Minister?" etc etc. That is, give them a nuisance cost to not closing out the process.