Lodge a properly made development application

Overview

For us to accept a development application (DA), it must be 'properly made'. This means the DA meets all the requirements of the:

• Planning Act 2016 (Qld)
• Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme.

The Act and the Planning Scheme guide:

• what 'development' means
• how DAs are lodged, notified and assessed.

Learn more about the DA process, including how we assess DAs.

What you need for a properly made DA

Requirements include:

• the correct application forms
• owner's consent, if required under Section 51 of the Planning Act
• supporting information, such as a planning report, as specified on the relevant application form
• the application fee.

The relevant codes under the Planning Scheme for development applications made within the Region may include:

• zone codes
• local plan codes
• overlay codes
• statewide codes
• use codes
• development codes.

Other requirements for DAs are in the Planning Scheme policy number 1.

Material Change of Use minimum requirements

Reconfiguring a Lot applications

Provide a:

• site plan
• statement about how the proposed development addresses the Planning Scheme and other relevant documents.

For a subdivision by lease, provide:

• three copies of the relevant agreement, dealing or instrument executed by the parties
• copies of any plans that are in the agreement, dealing or instrument.

For proposed lots, we must be able to identify:

• road centrelines
• proposed intersections and cul-de-sac heads
• proposed open space and drainage reserves.

Stake or mark these for when we do a site inspection.

Building and Operational Works applications

Provide a:

• site plan
• statement about how the proposed development addresses the Planning Scheme and other relevant documents.

Planning Scheme policy 1 has certain points that your drawings must reflect if the operational works involve:

• earthworks
• roadwork
• stormwater drainage
• water reticulation
• wastewater reticulation
• street lighting
• public utility services
• landscape works.

Development and overlay codes

You may need to provide extra information if your DA triggers any of the following development or overlay codes.

Section SC6.1.6 of the Planning Scheme (in Sched 6 PSP1 Development Application Requirements) explains what extra information you need to provide when certain development codes or overlay codes apply to your project. The specific codes that apply include:

Bushfire Hazard Overlay code

Provide a site-specific bushfire hazard assessment and bushfire management plan.

Flood Hazard Overlay code

Provide a flood hazard assessment.

Environmental Significance Overlay code

Provide an ecological assessment report.  

Agricultural Land Overlay code

Provide a land resource assessment. This must be in line with Queensland Government | Land planning guidelines.

Neighbourhood Character Overlay code

DAs for the demolition of a Neighbourhood Character Place must include a neighbourhood character assessment.

The character assessment matrix is in Appendix 2 of Planning Scheme Policy 1.

Heritage Overlay code

Provide a:

• heritage impact statement
• conservation management plan.

Extractive Industry code

Provide:

• a biodiversity impact assessment
• an environmental management plan
• an integrated water cycle management plan
• a noise and vibration impact assessment
• an air pollution management plan
• a water management plan
• a traffic analysis and management plan.

Integrated Water Cycle Management code

Provide a:

• stormwater quality management plan
• erosion and sediment control plan
• waste water management plan
• monitoring and maintenance program.

Transport, Access and Parking code

Provide a traffic impact assessment report.

Landslide Hazard Overlay code

A Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland must prepare a site-specific geotechnical analysis.

For more information, see Geotechnical reports. 

Lodge a DA

You can lodge a DA online, by email or in person. 

File requirements

Make sure your DA:

• is in PDF format (unless you're bringing us a printed copy)
• includes all application forms, plans and supporting documents.

If you can, keep each report in its own file. Don't split individual reports out into multiple files.

We can accept:

• files up to 10 MB by email
• files in shared folders, such as Dropbox, if you set them to be publicly accessible.

File naming and inclusions

Use "Forms – <address>" for a single file that includes:

• application forms
• a covering letter
• a title search/contaminated land search
• the owner's consent.

For Appendix 1, use "Planning report – <address>". This file must include a planning report or letter that:

• supports the application
• addresses the requirements of the Planning Scheme.

For Appendix 2, 3, 4 and so on, use "Tech report – <type> – <address>". This file must include separate documents for each technical report, for example:

• stormwater management plan
• traffic assessment
• economic impact assessment.

For Plans 1, 2, 3 and so on, use "Proposal plans – <type> – <address>". This file must include separate documents for each group of plans, for example:

• plans and elevations
• subdivision layout
• masterplan
• landscape concept
• bulk earthworks.

Further assistance

For more information about lodging a properly made development application, contact a Technical Advice Officer.