Council has jurisdiction as a referral agency for certain development applications for building works. The Planning Regulation 2017 provides details of the building matters that require referral to a referral agency and identifies when Council is the referral agency. The type of building works that may require referral to Council include dwellings and structures such as sheds and carports.
The referral triggers can include:
- Design and siting, such as non-compliance with the Queensland Development Code (QDC) in relation to setbacks and site coverage
- Amenity and aesthetic impacts of particular building work, such as removal dwellings, shipping containers and railway carriages
- Building over or near relevant infrastructure such as water, sewer and/or stormwater mains
- Building work on a Local Heritage Place
- Development identified as assessable under the City Plan but made exempt under Schedule 6 of the Planning Regulation 2017
- Building work which P12 of the QDC Part 4.1 applies if the building development application does not cover end of trip facilities under that item
- Building work for a Class 1 building with an on-site wastewater management system which involves adding one or more bedrooms to the building
- Amenity and aesthetic impacts of particular building work, such as removal dwellings, shipping containers and railway carriages
- Building work required to ensure fire safety in particular budget accommodation buildings
- Building work for premises in which a residential service under the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002, Section 4, is conducted or proposed to be conducted
- Building work for a temporary accommodation building if the QDC- Part 3.3 applies and the building work does not comply with acceptable solution A1
- Building work for removal or rebuilding
- Building work in flood hazard areas
Where a proposed dwelling house, domestic outbuilding or dual occupancy does not comply with the acceptable solution of the Queensland Development Code, or the accepted outcomes of the Redland City Plan, an approval is required from Council.
A Referral agency application must be lodged with Council under Schedule 9, Part 3, Division 2 of the Planning Regulation 2017. Council will assess the application against the performance criteria of QDC and/or the performance outcomes of City Plan.
A design and siting referral agency application is required if the proposal does not adopt one or more of the acceptable solutions in the Queensland Development Code (QDC). You can find more information about design and siting referral applications here.
An amenity and aesthetic referral agency application is required for particular building works, such as removal dwellings, shipping containers and railway carriages. You can find more information about amenity and aesthetics referral applications here.
A Build over or near relevant infrastructure referral agency application is required where the proposed Building Work does not adopt one or more of the specific provisions of the QDC MP1.4.
Further information on the different referrals can be viewed in Schedule 9 Planning Regulation 2017 available at www.legislation.qld.gov.au
Lodging an application
Before you lodge an application, we encourage you to prepare the supporting documentation as outlined below. It is recommended that the following documentation is provided to assist with your request to Council.
- site plan indicating north point and dimensions
- floor plans and elevations with dimensions
- contours and ground levels
- plans to indicate all buildings and structures on the property
- plans indicating where the variation is sought
- an assessment against the relevant performance criteria of the Queensland Development Code
- include overall heights above natural ground level on elevations plans
- site photos
- finished floor levels
You can find more information on specific building referral triggers in Council's referral agency application form [PDF, 1.0MB]. It is recommended that you speak to your building certifier for assistance in determining whether any referrals are required to Council or other agencies. You can find more information about private building certifiers here. Alternatively you can contact Council's Planning Assessment team on (07) 3829 8999.