Planning Approval
Before you begin development, it's important to find out whether you need approval, and what information is available on your property that will help you. We've detailed the process for you below, but if you have any questions at all, please contact Council.
Types of development that need planning approval
There are several different types of development, each with their own application process. All types of development require you to consult the Townsville City Plan (planning scheme) in order to identify applicable codes and overlays. The Townsville City Plan also details the supporting information needed as part of an application, which will depend on the type of proposed development.
Development that may require planning approval includes:
- carrying out building work (e.g. renovating a house located within the Character Residential Zone)
- carrying out operational work (e.g. placing an advertising device on a premises, or excavating or filling that materially affects premises or their use)
- reconfiguring a lot (e.g. a subdivision, or the amalgamation of lots)
- making a material change of use of premises (e.g. starting a new use, re-establishing a use that has been abandoned or changing the intensity or scale of the use).
You will need to find out what type of development your proposal is categorised as, before you make your development application. We recommended that you contact Council to help determine if you need planning approval for your development proposal.
Getting information on your property
What planning approvals you may need is also determined by what the local planning scheme (City Plan 2014) has zoned your property and any applicable precincts or overlays.
You can find this information by accessing ePlanning, Council's online planning service, and selecting 'Find a Property.' You can also use our Townsville City Plan interactive mapping service. Council also provides Limited and Full Planning and Development Certificates, information for which can be found on the Property Searches page, planning certificates can outline any existing approvals that are still in effect over your property. You can also contact Council directly for information on your property.
The level of assessment your development may require
Council assesses development under several levels of assessment as prescribed by the Planning Act 2016. The assessment level of your development is dependent upon the type of development, zoning, overlays, precincts and site area. The different assessment levels are listed below.
Accepted development
Accepted development does not require approval from Council. Approval from a building certifier for building works may still be required for this level of assessment.
Accepted development subject to requirements
When a development application is accepted subject to requirements, it must comply with all of the identified acceptable outcomes of the applicable code(s) in the Townsville City Plan (planning scheme). If the development does not comply with one or more identified outcomes of the applicable code(s), it becomes code assessable development, unless otherwise specified. Approval from a building certifier for building works may still be required for this level of assessment.
Read our Development codes information sheet to find out more about the different codes.
Code assessable development
When your development is code assessable, it means that a development approval needs to be obtained from Council. Code-assessable development is assessed only against the applicable codes identified in the Townsville City Plan (planning scheme). Code-assessable development does not require public notification of the application.
Read our Development codes information sheet to find out more about the different codes.
Download our Development Application Forms.
Impact assessable development
When your development is impact assessable, it means that a development approval needs to be obtained from Council. Unlike code-assessable development, an impact assessable development is assessed against all elements of the planning scheme which are relevant to the development proposal, as well as any applicable state code(s). Impact assessable development also requires formal public notification as part of the assessment process which is regulated under the Planning Act 2016. During public notification, submissions from the public could be made for or against your development. Any properly made submission must be considered by Council as part of the assessment of the application.
Read our Development codes information sheet to find out more about the different codes.
Download our Development Application Forms.
Other types of Council approvals
Priority Development Area
The Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA) covers land located on both sides of the Ross Creek, which is directly adjacent to Townsville's CBD. Any development that falls within this area is subject to assessment against the Townsville City Waterfront PDA Development Scheme.
Access our Priority Development Area page to find out more.
Strata-titling
Strata-titling is the ownership of a part of a lot, usually in the case of the ownership of an apartment in a complex. Strata schemes allow residents to own their own unit, while at the same time enjoying and contributing to the shared ownership of 'common' areas, such as a pool or garden. If you wish to strata-title your property, you must follow the process below:
- Set up a body corporate. Create a name for your body corporate or building. You can use a body corporate manager or solicitor for this.
- Commission a community management statement. You must provide rules for the residents of your strata-title community. This is prepared by a solicitor using Form 14 on the Business Queensland website.
- Preliminary survey plans. This should outline the strata-title arrangement, showing all the lots and community areas, as well as exclusive use areas. A registered surveyor will be able to assist you with this.
- Council approval. The plan of survey and the community management statement needs to be lodged with and approved by Council.
- Registration of strata title. Once Council has approved the plan of survey, it will need to be lodged and registered with the Department of Resources (Townsville Registry Office).
Referral Agency Responses
(eg. Siting relaxations and building over or adjacent to services)
Council provides referral agency responses as determined by the Planning Regulation 2017.
These are provided most commonly for siting variations/relaxations and for building over or adjacent to services. For a full list of Council’s responsibilities as a referral agency please refer to the Planning Regulation 2017.
Siting relaxations
A siting relaxation is a form of acceptance provided by Council when proposed building work does not achieve the siting requirements nominated under the Queensland Development Code (QDC). This can include the building being constructed closer than usually allowable to the front, side, or rear boundaries of a property, or exceeding the designated maximum height and/or site coverage. It is recommended you engage with a private building certifier, who will advise on the requirements of obtaining a development permit for building works.
Use the online form for a referral agency response application to apply for a siting relaxation. This can be lodged in combination with your development application if required.
Building over or adjacent to services
If building work is to be carried out for a building or structure that is over or near to relevant infrastructure (e.g. water or sewer pipes), the work is required to achieve compliance with the standards set out in the QDC. If these requirements are not met, an application seeking a referral agency response for building over or adjacent to services will need to be lodged with Council. It is recommended you engage with a private building certifier, who will advise on the requirements of obtaining a development permit for building works.
Use the online form for a referral agency response application to apply for a building over or adjacent to services referral. This can be lodged in combination with your development application if required.
Exemption certificate
An exemption certificate is a type of approval issued by Council under the Planning Act 2016. Exemption certificates are for particular circumstances where you believe your development should not require assessment. You can apply for an exemption certificate from Council if:
- the effects of the development would be minor or inconsequential (as determined by the relevant legislation)
- the development has been categorised as assessable development only because of particular circumstances that no longer apply
- the development was categorised as assessable development because of an error.
To find out more, read the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s Exemption certificates information sheet.
To apply:
- Download and complete Council's Exemption certificate application form; or
- Apply online
Other approvals you may require
If your development includes building works, you may require a building approval. Building approvals can be obtained from a private building certifier.
