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 Us.
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:
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.
Planning approvals you may need are determined by what the local planning scheme (Townsville City Plan) has zoned your property and any applicable precincts or overlays.
You can find this information by accessing the 'Find a Property' tool. You can also use our Townsville City Plan interactive mapping service. Council also provides Limited, Standard and Full Planning and Development Certificates, which can outline any existing approvals that are still in effect over your property. You can also contact Council directly for information on your property.
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 does not require approval from Council. Approval from a building certifier for building works may still be required for this level of assessment.
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 page to find out more about the different codes.
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 page to find out more about the different codes.
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 page to find out more about the different codes.
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 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:
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 referral agency response application form 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 referral agency response application form to apply for a building over or adjacent to services referral. This can be lodged in combination with your development application if required.
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:
To find out more, read the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s Exemption certificates information sheet.
If your development includes building works, you may require a building approval. Building approvals can be obtained from a private building certifier.
