Development application & assessment information

A planning scheme can seem like a complicated document to try and navigate, especially if you are not used to it.

For assistance with the basic navigation of the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 please refer to the Fact Sheet: Navigating our planning scheme – The basics.

Types of development

Material change of use

Using the building, structure or the land for something different than it is currently being used for, or the same use more intensively. Examples: Changing a retail shop into a food and drink outlet, a 30 site caravan park to a 60 site caravan park, vacant lot into an office, shop, industrial use etc. 

Reconfiguring a lot

Subdividing the land or making changes to the boundaries. Examples: Subdividing one lot into multiple lots, dividing land into parts by agreement, re-aligning the boundary of a lot, creating or changing and easement giving access to a lot.

Operational work

Activities that alter the shape or form of the land. Examples: Earthworks (i,e. filling of excavation), vegetation clearing, erecting a sign.

Building work

Constructing a new building or structure or extending an existing building or structure. Examples: Building a new building or structure (e.e house, shed, garage, etc.), Part or complete demolition of a building or structure, repairing, altering or extending a building or structure.

Types of approval

A development approval is a:

• Development permit, which approves the proposed development and authorises the development to be carried out.
• Preliminary approval, which approves the proposed development, but does not authorise the development to be carried out.
• Variation request, which seeks to vary the effect of any local planning instrument in effect of the premises.
• Combination of a development permit and a preliminary approval.

Levels of assessment

Self-assessable development:-

• is to be assessed against all the identified self-assessable acceptable outcomes of the applicable codes identified in the assessment criteria column and any applicable overlay codes of the planning scheme; and
• complies with all the self-assessable acceptable outcomes of all the applicable codes.
• An application is not required to be lodged to council.

For further information on self-assessable development see the self-assessable information sheet.

Code assessable development:-

• is to be assessed against all the applicable codes identified in the assessment criteria column and any applicable overlay codes of the planning scheme; and
• complies with:-
  • the purpose and overall of the code complies with the code; and
  • the performance or acceptable outcomes complies with the purpose and overall outcomes of the code.
• Note: code assessable development can occur as a result of self-assessable development not being compliant with one or more of the identified self-assessable acceptable outcomes of the applicable codes.
• An application is required to be lodged to council.

Impact assessable development:-

• is to be assessed against the planning scheme – including zone codes, use codes and overlay codes (to the extent relevant).
• An application is required to be lodged to council; and
• public notification is required to be undertaken by the applicant.

The Development Assessment Team is happy to offer a pre-lodgement meeting service. To request a pre-lodgement meeting please complete the pre-lodgement meeting request form.

Lodge the completed form by email and we will book a meeting at the earliest available time.

Preparing an application

Information on how to prepare a development application and the steps associated with the assessment process can be found on this link.

Lodging by email

The preferred method of lodging a development application is via email.

Files will need to be prepared in accordance with the accepted format i.e. in PDF format and unzipped, unlocked with no password protection and created by a software program. Files cannot be created via scanning.

We can accept emails up to 50Mb at one time and if you choose to lodge your application via email, you MUST be able to receive emails that are a minimum of 50Mb in size.
File names must be the name of the type of document (for example ‘IDAS forms’ or ‘Assessment Report’).

When submitting IDAS forms, all forms must be combined into a single PDF document and named appropriately.

When submitting the planning report and any appendices, if the total file size is 10Mb or less it is appropriate to submit these as a single file, however if the planning report and appendices exceed 10Mb in size it is required that these are broken down and submitted separately.

Email your files to tplanning@chrc.qld.gov.au

A search inspection request form  is to be completed for the following searches:

• Planning & Development Certificate (including limited, express, standard and full)
• Engineering searches (including flood search, water/sewerage location and additional adjoining lot information)

In accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 certain development applications are required to go through a period of public notification.

Public notification informs the community of the proposal and provides the community with an opportunity to make submissions that must be taken into account before the development application is decided.

To view a detailed guide on making a submission to a development application please refer to this guide. The submission must address all the requirements as detailed in the guide in order for it to be recognised as a properly made submission.

The ‘Applications currently on public notification’ tab below contains a list of development applications currently on public notification.

Delegation of development assessment powers to Central Highlands Regional Council
The Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) has agreed to a request from Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) to delegate development assessment within the PDA to the Council.

From 4 July 2016, CHRC is responsible for assessing any development applications on behalf of the MEDQ. All development applications will continue to be assessed against the Blackwater and Blackwater East PDA Development Scheme’s under the Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act).

What happens to existing development approvals within the Blackwater or Blackwater East PDA?
All existing development approvals remain in effect.

How do I lodge a new application once delegation has commenced?
All new development applications are to be lodged with CHRC. See above ‘Lodging a development application’ for further details.

Will the development scheme continue to apply?
Yes, development applications will continue to be assessed against the Blackwater PDA Development Scheme under the Economic Development Act 2012 until the PDA is revoked. EDQ will work closely with CHRC to prepare for the revocation process.

Who will assess compliance and undertake plan sealing for existing PDA approvals?
Compliance assessment and plan sealing will be undertaken by CHRC.

What if I want to lodge a change to an approval granted by the department?
Changes to approval applications are to be lodged with CHRC.

Blackwater PDA Development Scheme 

http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/pda/blackwater-development-scheme.pdf

Blackwater East PDA Development Scheme  

http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/planning/priority-development-areas/blackwater-east.html