Do you need assistance with your development application or require further information regarding a proposed development in Brisbane? There are a number of ways to gain advice about planning and development in Brisbane City Council:
- Get expert advice
- Online tools and information
- Pre-lodgement advice
- Development advice for people who are unfamiliar with the development assessment process
- Request for written information
- More information
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Get expert advice
While Brisbane City Council aims to assist you through the process, preparing a development application can be a complex task. Unless you understand the legal requirements and Brisbane’s planning rules, you may find it useful to get expert help.
Information about the types of experts who may be able to help with your building or development project, a brief description of their services and links to relevant industry associations can be found on getting expert advice.
Online tools and information
Council provides extensive information and tools about planning and development in Brisbane.
- Key facts about your property: find out the zoning and constraints for a property
- Planning approval for business: find out what approvals you need for common business projects such as office, shop, restaurant, warehouse and industry
- Renovating and common residential projects: find out what approvals you need for common residential projects
- Check the status of a development application via PD Online
- Apply for Development Approval: learn about how to lodge a development application and avoid assessment delays.
Pre-lodgement advice
Council offers a pre-lodgement meeting service for all customers who intend to lodge a development application. A pre-lodgement meeting gives customers the opportunity to meet with a principal planner and any relevant specialists to present and discuss a proposed development. This includes identifying any potential issues that may affect the outcome of a development application.
A pre-lodgement meeting is invaluable for all types of development. It promotes sound development outcomes and generally reduces complications throughout the development assessment process.
To request a pre-lodgement meeting, download the Development Assessment pre-lodgement meeting request form – CC1944 (PDF - 127kb) and send it via email to the Development Assessment lodgement team.
A pre-lodgement meeting incurs a fee of $1,110 per hour or part hour (2013-14 financial year). The cost of a pre-lodgement meeting is deducted from the development application fee if the development application is lodged within 12 months of the pre-lodgement meeting and the application is consistent with Council’s pre-lodgement advice.
Council is currently developing a video pre-lodgement meeting service which will allow customers to virtually interact with Council in a pre-lodgement meeting environment, utilising video conferencing technology. The video pre-lodgement meeting service will readily connect interstate and international customers with Council, negating the need for expensive and time consuming travel. The service will also provide wider communication choices for local customers.
Development advice for people who are unfamiliar with the development assessment process
If you are new to the development assessment process (e.g. home owners undertaking a building project/renovation), you can get advice from a Town Planner who will be able to answer simple questions about your development intentions, including:
- do you need a development application?
- what information you need to provide with your application?
- what fees you will need to pay?
- how the development process will work?
To talk to a Town Planner, call Council on 07 3403 8888 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Request for written information
Requests for advice in writing are available for a fee, which in the 2013-14 financial year is $500.
A Request for Written Information can be submitted:
- by emailing the Development Assessment team providing you follow the electronic file requirements
- in person or by mail to the Regional Business Centre or Central Business Centre
The request will be reviewed by a suitably qualified officer and a response will be provided in writing (via email or mail) within 20 business days.
Examples of advice that might be sought through this process include:
- site specific planning interpretation, such as level of assessment
- confirmation of “generally in accordance” relating to existing approvals
- an opportunity to view or obtain copies of past development approvals
- confirmation of unlawful and lawful use rights
- clarification of Building Location Envelope or Building Envelope requirements
- confirmation of home business self-assessable requirements
You can also request an estimate of infrastructure charges for a proposed development by completing a Request for Adopted Infrastructure Charges Estimate - CC10826 (PDF - 87kb).
More information
To find out more information or for any enquiries, contact Council.
