Approvals Process

Town Planning approval may be required for the establishment of particular businesses or industries, dependent upon the relevant zoning of particular sites. The granting of approvals is regulated under Queensland's Integrated Planning Act 1997. Approvals for straight-forward developments vary from 3 to 8 weeks, depending on the level of assessment that is required under the planning schemes. More complex developments may require longer periods if other levels of government are involved.

Councils encourage pre-lodgement meetings with Development Assessment staff to provide advice in relation to development requirements, timeframes for approvals and application fees. Application forms are available at the Councils or via the web at www.ipa.qld.gov.au/idas/idasFormsChoose.asp

Once an application has been lodged, an Acknowledgement Notice will be issued confirmimg the lodgement, providing advice on any applicable codes or standards against which the development will be assessed, any requirements for public advertising of the application and any relevant State Agencies that will be required to assess the application in addition to Councils.

For developments requiring public advertising, the application must place at least one advertisement in the local newspaper (Bundaberg News Mail), provide advice to adjoining property owners and the erection of an approved sign at the site. This sign must remain in place and be legible for a minimum of fifteen business days.

Once the public notification period has completed, Council's assessment staff will process the application and make a recommendation to Council for their consideration. Council's decision on the application must be made within twenty business days of the end of the public notification period, unless an extension of time is given.

Councils endeavour to provide a decision within these timeframes wherever possible, providing the development sector with a degree of certainty in relation to the decision-making period to enable this to be factored into development schedules.