Prepare and lodge a development application

Applications must comply with the Planning Act 2016, to make sure your development application is compliant and properly ensure you have included:

• The correct application form/s
• Supporting information required by the application form/s
• Written owner’s consent (where required)
• External referrals

Correct application forms

Development applications must be accompanied by the current version of the relevant application form.

Relevant development application forms include:

• DA Form 1
• DA Form 2
• Planning Act Form 5: Change Application

Development application forms can be downloaded from the Queensland Government’s website, Development Application Forms and Templates

A list of all approved and recommended building forms can be found on the Business Queensland website.

Aside from the standard forms provided by the State, Council also has forms available under Planning and Building, are required to be submitted for certain requests.

Supporting information

Depending on your proposal, you may need to include one or more of the following technical documents to demonstrate compliance with relevant planning codes:

• Acoustic assessment report
• Bushfire hazard assessment and management plan
• Ecological assessment
• Flood hazard assessment and mitigation report
• Traffic impact assessment report

If these reports are not included with your application, Council may request them later as part of an information request, which can delay the assessment process.

Owners consent

If you're not the registered owner of the property, you may need to provide written owner’s consent with your application. Refer to the Planning Act 2016 for full details on when this is required.

External referrals

The Planning Regulation 2017 outlines when a development application must be referred to another agency. Some common triggers include:

• Development on or near a state-controlled road or railway line
• Proposals involving environmentally relevant activities
• Development on or next to a Queensland heritage place

These requirements are detailed in Schedule 10 of the Planning Regulation 2017.

Before lodging your development application, ensure it is properly made. If it’s incomplete, Council cannot assess it until all required information is provided.

Under the Planning Act 2016, a complete application is called a “properly made” application.
For full details, see Section 51 of the Planning Act 2016.

Before lodging your application, make sure you:

Complete all forms

• Fill out all required forms.
• Check for any additional approvals that may apply.

Include supporting documents

• Attach all required plans and reports.
• Confirm your application aligns with any existing development approval conditions or plans.

Verify accuracy

• Ensure all details on forms are correct and consistent (e.g., address, lot parcel details).
• Confirm attachments meet the correct file format requirements.

Seek professional advice

• Consider engaging with our Technical Advice team to avoid invalid approvals.

Tips to Minimise Delays

• Avoid poor-quality plans – All plans should be prepared by a qualified design consultant.
• Provide sufficient information – Include as much supporting detail as possible and ensure reports and plans do not conflict.

Online

Our online customer service portal makes it easy to lodge development applications anytime, anywhere.

Submit and pay for applications 24/7.

Track progress using a single account for your business or individual profile.

How to Register

Go to the New User Registration page or visit the portal and click Register (top right corner).

Complete the online registration form and click Submit.

We will verify your details and activate your account. (Allow up to 2 business days for processing. You’ll receive an email when your account is ready.)

Once registered, you can: Submit all types of development applications online.

Pay application fees securely through the portal.

In person

• at any of our Contact Centres