How to submit a properly made development application and referral agency request

• All applications for a Material Change of Use (MCU) must provide a site plan and a statement about how the proposed development addresses the planning scheme and any other documents that are relevant to the application;
• A statement about the intensity and scale of the proposed use;
• Information outlining the existing or proposed floor area, site cover, maximum number of storeys and maximum height above natural ground level for existing or new buildings;
• Information that states the existing or proposed number of on-site car parking bays, type of vehicle cross-over and vehicular servicing arrangement;
• Where the application involves the re-use of an existing building provide plans showing the size, location, existing floor area, existing site cover, existing maximum number of storeys, and existing maximum height above natural ground level of the buildings to be reused;
• Floor plans and elevations need to be drawn to scale as identified in Planning Scheme Policy No.1;
• Plans show the size, location, proposed site cover, proposed maximum number of storeys and proposed maximum height above natural ground level of the proposed new building work;
• Where the application involves the re-use of existing works provide plans showing the nature, location, number of on-site car parking bays, existing area of landscaping, existing type of vehicular cross-cover of the works to be reused; and
• Where the application involves new operational work provide plans showing the nature, location, number of new on-site car parking bays, confirmed proposed area of new landscaping, proposed type of new vehicle cross-cover, proposed maximum new vehicular servicing arrangement of the proposed new operational works.

• All applications for Reconfiguring a Lot must provide a site plan and a statement about how the proposed development addresses the planning scheme and any other documents that are relevant to the application;
• Additional relevant information can assist in Council’s assessment of the application and contribute to a timely decision.  In the case of subdivision by lease, three copies of the relevant agreement, dealing or instrument executed by the parties concerned are to be submitted with the application together with copies of the plans incorporated in the agreement, dealing or instrument; and
• Proposed lots must be able to identify road centrelines, proposed intersections and cul-de-sac heads, proposed open space and drainage reserves must be appropriately staked or marked for ease when undertaking a site inspection.

• All applications for Operational Works must provide a site plan and a statement about how the proposed development addresses the planning and any other documents that are relevant to the application; and
• Furthermore, all applications for Operational Works involving earthworks, roadwork, stormwater drainage, water reticulation, wastewater reticulation, street lighting, public utility services and landscape works should provide drawings that reflect on all points identified in Planning Scheme Policy No.1 - Mandatory requirements for Building and/or Operational Works applications.

Section SC6.1.6 of the Planning Scheme entitled ‘Additional information required by development and overlay codes’ in Planning Scheme Policy No.1 sets out additional information requirements triggered by specific development and overlay codes. Codes that are applicable include:

• Bushfire hazard overlay code - A site specific bushfire hazard assessment and bushfire management plan must be provided.
  
  
• Flood hazard overlay code - Flood hazard assessment must be provided.
  
  
• Environmental significance overlay code - An ecological assessment report of the site and surrounding area must be provided to show compliance with performance outcomes. Building envelopes must be shown on site plans. The purpose of this report is to help minimise adverse impacts on ‘areas of ecological significance and waterways and wetlands’ and to maximise the beneficial impacts of the development. This report should also be prepared by a suitably qualified person, and follow all other preparation requirements as identified in Appendix 1 in SC4.1 – Planning Scheme Policy No.1 – Development application requirements.
  
  
• Agricultural land overlay code - Development applications for non-agricultural development must provide a land resource assessment in accordance with SPP1/92 Planning guidelines: The identification of good quality agricultural land.
  
  
• Neighbourhood character overlay code - A neighbourhood character assessment must be undertaken if demolition of a neighbourhood character place is proposed. The neighbourhood character assessment matrix is located in Appendix 2 in SC4.1 – Planning Scheme Policy No.1 – Neighbourhood character assessment.
  
  
• Heritage overlay code - A Heritage Impact Statement and Conservation Management Plan must be provided before development can occur if it is affected by the heritage overlay.
  
  
• Extractive industry code - 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 a Management Plan must be provided.
  
  
• Integrated water cycle management code - A Stormwater Quality Management plan, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, Waste Water Management Plan and a Monitoring and Maintenance Plan must be provided.
  
  
• Transport, access and parking code: Preparation of a traffic impact assessment report is required.
  
  
• Landslide hazard overlay code: A site specific geo-technical analysis must be provided.

There can be times when the State Government, or other agency, has an interest in a development application. These development applications are required to be lodged to these agencies for their comment as well. Other agencies can include the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, or Ergon Energy. The Planning Regulation 2017 sets out when another agency is required to have input into an application.

Some of these triggers can include, but not limited to:

• development on or near a state-controlled road;
• development near a railway line; or
• development located in an easement for the benefit of distribution of electricity.

The applicant will be required to contact the relevant referral agency to determine their requirements.