Council regulates the use of shipping containers and railway carriages (for the purpose of a domestic outbuilding Class 10a structure) on private land in a number of ways.
The use of shipping containers and railway carriages on private land is regulated through the Amenity & Aesthetics Referral, Building, Plumbing and Planning Approval processes, when the works are considered to be building work by being fixed to the ground or forming part of another structure, or adapted for the purpose of a Class 1 to Class 10 building or structure as defined in the National Construction Code (regardless if placed on the ground or fixed to the ground).
Where placed on the ground and used temporarily for relocation purposes or for the storage of building materials while a dwelling is under construction, it is regulated under Subordinate Local Law 1.19 (Placement of Shipping Containers, Railway Carriages and Other Objects on Land) 2018.
Building/planning approval process
If the shipping container or railway carriage is to be fixed to the ground (for example placed on footings) or forms part of another structure, such as having an awning or deck attached, building approval will be required. A building approval will also be required if the shipping container or railway carriage is to be adapted as a building/structure as defined under the National Construction Code, such as being used as a shed, garage, studio or dwelling. Building approval is issued through a private building certifier. Before a building work decision notice can be issued, an assessment against Council's Amenity and Aesthetics Policy will also be required. Further details on this are provided below.
Amenity and Aesthetics Policy
The Amenity and Aesthetics Policy enables Council to assess your proposal to ensure buildings and structures are in character with the locality where they will be located.
Performance criteria relating to Amenity and Aesthetics
Item 1 shipping containers and railway carriages
As per the Amenity and Aesthetics Policy (Version 7) and Amenity and Aesthetics Guideline (Version 8)
Outcome
To ensure placing of a shipping container(s) and railway carriage(s) respects and enhances the built form, amenity and character of the neighbourhood with regard to scale, siting and external design.
| Specific outcomes | Probable solutions |
|---|---|
|
The design, siting and materials of the structure is in keeping with the amenity of the surrounding neighbourhood and the overall outcomes of the zone code as contained in City Plan. |
Shipping containers, railway carriages or the like are: (a) To be placed at the rear of the dwelling house to minimise visibility from the street; (b) To be screened by landscaping or a suitable screen structure (i.e. lattice) to minimise its visual impact on the streetscape and adjoining properties; (c) To be painted a colour matching the primary dwelling house to minimise the visual dominance of the structure from the street or adjoining properties; Note – The overall outcomes, specific outcomes and probable solutions in the applicable Zone and Domestic Outbuilding Code may provide additional assessment criteria that will assist in establishing and addressing the character and amenity of the surrounding area. |
You must lodge the amenity and aesthetics assessment to Council as a Concurrence Agency Referral application for assessment before a building work decision notice can be issued.
Design and siting
In some instances, you may require a design and siting referral approval. For more information please go to the Queensland Development Code Information Page.
Planning approval
For the purpose of planning approval, this structure is defined as a ‘domestic outbuilding’ under Redland City Plan.
Whether you need planning approval for the shipping container or railway carriage depends on the overlays on your site. Planning approval assesses the impact of the proposed structure on surrounding areas and impacts from natural hazards such as floods and storm tides. To determine whether you need planning approval to build on your land, find out what zoning and overlays affect your property. You can find out the zoning and overlays that apply to your property with:
- Development.i – property enquiry tool
- Red-e-map – online mapping tool.
Plumbing approval
You may also need plumbing approval, depending on the site and the design of the structure. Plumbing approval can only be granted by Council.
Permits through Subordinate Local Law 1.19 (Placement of Shipping Containers, Railway Carriages and Other Objects on Land) 2018
Subordinate Local Law 1.19 regulates shipping containers, railway carriages and other objects that are not considered building work (for instance when they are simply placed on the ground). The local law deals with shipping containers that are placed permanently, such as being used to store domestic items, or temporarily, such as when used in association with moving house.
Where does the Local Law apply?
The Local Law only applies to land in the following zones (as per Redland City Plan):
- conservation
- environmental management
- rural non-urban
- open space
- emerging community
- low-density residential
- medium-density residential
- neighbourhood centre
- character residential
- tourist accommodation
- low to medium-density residential
When is an approval required?
The Local Law specifies the circumstances when an approval is required, although there are situations when an approval is not necessary, provided certain criteria are met. When a shipping container is placed temporarily, it can remain on site for four weeks when being used for relocation purposes, or when used in associated with building a new dwelling, until the dwelling is complete.
The placement of shipping containers, railway carriages and other objects is generally not permitted on vacant land.
Application process
If your proposal triggers the requirement for an application under the local law, you will need to provide the following:
- Completed application form
- Plans showing the details of the item and its location
- Details on what the container is to be used for and how long it is proposed to be kept on-site
Transfer of approval
The holder of an approval together with another person may apply for transfer of the approval to the other person. To apply to transfer the approval, complete and lodge the Shipping Containers, Railway Carriages and other Objects Approval Transfer form [PDF, 0.2MB]