A Development Application is a formal request to a Local Government that seeks approval to carry out an assessable development project.
If you're undertaking one of the following, there’s a high chance you’ll require a Development Application:
Building work
Operational work
Reconfiguration of a lot (subdivision)
Material Change of Use (changing the use of a land or increasing its scale of use)
In Brisbane, not all proposals require a Development Application, but a lot do. Applications are required for numerous reasons, so it’s best to seek preliminary advice from one of our planners to see if you need Council approval, before starting any work.
Building work typically involves:
Construction of a new residential dwelling
Demolition or partial demolition of a residential dwelling
Extensions to an existing residential dwelling
Relocation of an existing residential dwelling
If the work you're undertaking aligns with any of these, you’ll almost certainly require the services of a Private Building Certifier. In addition, a Local City Plan instrument may also dictate that you require Development Approval from Council.
The easiest way to establish if your proposed works requires a Development Application is to contact one of our Town Planning Professionals who can provide you with this answer promptly.
Operational work in Brisbane typically involves one of the following:
Generally, most Operational Work Approvals occur due to the conditions of a Development Approval.
At this stage, one of our Town Planners will have already provided you with guidance and connected you with any necessary external specialist consultants for your Operational Works Approval.
A proposal to subdivide land or reconfigure existing boundaries will nearly always require Development Approval.
Our Town Planners can provide an overview of the level of assessment of your Application, and provide feedback on the likelihood of success.
Examples of subdivision planning that will require Development Approval include:
Creating new lots
Reconfiguring the existing boundaries of a lot
Volumetric subdivisions
Creating an easement to give a lot access from a road
Examples of subdivision planning that generally do not require a Development Approval include:
Amalgamating lots
Subdivision for road widening / truncations
Building format plans
A Material Change of Use can mean any of the following:
A new use to the premises
The re-establishment of an abandoned use on a premises
A material increase in the intensity or scale of the use of a premises
Examples of a Material Change of Use include, but are not limited to:
Establishing a new dwelling house on vacant land
Establishing a business use in a premises that is currently only approved for residential use
Intensification of a dwelling house into a dual occupancy for multiple dwellings
There are a large volume of site specific variables that impact the level of assessment necessary for a Material Change of Use. It is recommended that you contact one of our Town Planners who can provide you with prompt and accurate guidance.
Default Currency Periods:
Material Change of Use: 6 years
Reconfiguring a Lot: 4 years
Building Work: 2 years
If the approval is staged, any works completed within the currency period are lawful, with the remaining stages not lapsing.
With the development approval are conditions which do not lapse with the currency period. Condition of Approval apply to the site, its current owners, and any future owners until the use ceases.
As a purchaser, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence and ensure that all of these conditions are being followed and maintained. Non-compliance with the conditions of approval can lead to the Council issuing a Show Cause or enforcement notice.
You'll receive
Initial discussion and advice
Advice on immediate pain points
Advice on the process
Advice on timeframes and costs
Likelihood of success
An outline of opportunities and constraints
An understanding which other consultants need to be involved in the process