Support for applicants
Preparing a development application can be quite complex and whilst Council can answer enquiries about the approval process it can still be beneficial to engage the services of an external consultant to assist you with your application.
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Where the state government is involved as either a referral agency or the assessment manager, pre-lodgement advice can be obtained by contacting the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) through the regional office closest to you.
A Pre-Application Meeting provides the opportunity for the applicant and or their consultants to present one or more of the following submissions for initial advice:
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A completed development application, prior to it being formally lodged with Council. (ie. material change of use, reconfiguring a lot, operational works)
- Initial feedback to a proposed development application where major proposal parameters are known and researched but some direction is required from Council prior to the formal lodgement of the application.
If your project meets the above requirements, please complete a pre-application meeting form to arrange a meeting with Council.
A council officer will contact you within five business days to arrange a meeting.
2024 Christmas Update: Please be advised Council's last Pre-Application Meeting for 2024 will occur on Thursday 19 December 2024. The first meeting for 2025 will be held on Tuesday 7 January 2025.
Note: Pre-application meetings are offered as a free service by the Development Assessment Branch, and as such meeting minutes are not distributed following the pre-application meeting. However, you are welcome (and encouraged) to take your own meeting minutes. Again, pre-application meetings should not be substituted for independent professional advice or a comprehensive due diligence process.
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Below is a list of the types of consultants (although not intended to be an exhaustive list) who may be able to assist you depending on your project and the services you require.
Note: Council does not endorse particular suppliers
Surveyors
Provide:
- boundary surveys
- advice on boundaries
- determining boundaries
- preparing development applications
Resources:
Guidelines for Surveys to property boundaries, developed by the Surveyors Board of Queensland
Town Planners
Provide:
- preparation of development applications
- advise on development and design
They may also provide:
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project management services in specialist areas such as:
- the environment
- transport
- heritage
- services planning
For more information you can also visit:
Architects and building designers
Provide:
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Building concepts, drawings and design services
They may also assist with:
- site evaluation
- project management
Engineers
Provide:
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Plans, designs and advise on structural requirements
They may work in a specific field such as:
- construction
- land development
- structural or hydraulic design
- soil or water treatment
Resources:
- RPQ (Registered Practising Engineers Qld)
- Engineers Australia
- Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia
Landscape architects
Provide:
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Concepts, designs and drawings for outdoor spaces
They may also assist with:
- site master planning
- project management
- advice on site rehabilitation
- preparing development applications
Resources:
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
Solicitors
Provide:
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legal advice
They may also provide:
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specialist services
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There are options available under the Planning Act to change an approval once it has been given. The process and requirements for seeking a change to an approval will depend on the timing of the request and also the nature of the changes proposed.
Development approvals will always have a currency period – that is, the length of time given before having to start the development.
Development approvals can lapse if development has not started and/or completed within the currency period. The Planning Act does provide the ability to request an extension of time if needed.
Changing Cancelling or extending a DA after approval factsheet