Development Approval

What is a Material Change of Use?

A Material Change of Use occurs when:

• A new use starts on a property
• A previous use is restarted after being abandoned, or
• The intensity or scale of an existing use increases significantly

What is Required for a Development Application?

To lodge a properly made Development Application, you will need to provide:

1. Completed DA Form 1(DOCX, 106KB) (including owner’s consent) 
2. Development plans, including:

• Site Plan
• Floor Plans
• Elevation Plans
• Landscaping Plans

3. Payment of the applicable Council fee(PDF, 574KB) 

Depending on the proposal, additional technical reports may also be required, such as:

• Traffic reports
• Stormwater reports
• Waste management reports

Applicants are encouraged to contact Council’s Planning and Development Department before lodging an application to confirm requirements

What is Reconfiguring a Lot?

Reconfiguring a Lot, commonly known as subdivision, includes:

• Creating new lots from an existing lot
• Amalgamating two or more lots together
• Rearranging lot boundaries
• Dividing land through lease agreements longer than 10 years
• Creating access easements from a constructed road

Do I Need Council Approval?

If your proposal involves any of the activities listed above, you will need to lodge a Development Application with Council.

Applications that comply with the relevant planning scheme requirements  are generally assessed as Code Assessable Development, which is typically a simpler and faster process.

If the proposal does not meet all planning scheme requirements, it may require Impact Assessment, which involves a more detailed assessment process and public notification.

Some applications may also need referral to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA), particularly where State interests are affected, such as land near a State-controlled road.

What is Required for a Development Application?

To lodge a properly made Development Application, you will generally need:

1. Completed DA Form 1(DOCX, 106KB) (including owner’s consent) .
2. Plan of Reconfiguration lot clearly showing the existing and proposed boundaries and sizes (after the application council planner may request the survey plan by qualified surveyor)
3. Payment of the applicable Council fee(PDF, 574KB) .

Depending on the proposal, additional technical reports or specialist advice may also be required.

Minimum Lot Sizes

Minimum lot sizes and frontage requirements depend on the zoning of the land under the relevant Planning Scheme.

Additional requirements may also apply where overlays affect the site, including:

• Flood hazard areas
• Bushfire hazard areas

It is recommended that proposed lots comply with the relevant planning requirements before lodging an application.

The table below shows the minimum lot size and frontage requirements within the McKinlay Shire region.

Minimum Lot Size and Dimensions

To give your application the best chance of approval, it is recommended that your proposal complies with these minimum dimensions before lodging your application. For further information, please refer to the Planning Scheme .

What is Operational Works?

 Operational Works involves works that affect land or the use of land, other than building, plumbing or drainage work.

This commonly includes:

• Earthworks
• Road construction or upgrades
• Stormwater works
• Water or sewer infrastructure works
• Civil construction activities

What is Required for a Development Application?

To lodge a properly made Development Application, you will generally need to provide:

1. Completed DA Form 1(DOCX, 106KB) .
2. Engineering plans
3. Payment of the applicable Council fee.(PDF, 574KB)

Depending on the proposal, additional technical reports may also be required, including:

• Traffic reports
• Stormwater or hydraulic reports
• Geotechnical reports

Applicants are encouraged to contact Council’s Planning and Development Department before lodging an application to confirm requirements.

What are Building Works Assessable Against the Planning Scheme?

This application type applies to building works proposed on a local heritage place.

The purpose of the application is to ensure that any proposed works preserve and protect the heritage significance of the building or structure before construction begins.

How Do I Know if My Property is a Heritage Place?

Local heritage places are identified within the relevant Planning Scheme(PDF, 4MB) heritage listings.

Applicants are encouraged to check the Planning Scheme or contact Council to confirm whether a property is heritage listed.

What is Required for a Development Application?

To lodge a properly made Development Application, you will generally need to provide:

1. Completed DA Form 2(DOCX, 84KB) .
2. Development plans, including:

• Site Plan
• Floor Plans
• Elevation Plans

3. Payment of the applicable Council fee(PDF, 574KB).

If the application involves partial or total demolition of a heritage place, a Structural Integrity Report prepared by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) must also be provided.

The report must demonstrate that the building is structurally unsound and not financially viable to restore.

Public Notification Requirements

Public notification is generally only required for applications involving the partial or total demolition of a local heritage place.