Development assessment in Queensland follows a structured statutory process under the Planning Act 2016. Understanding each stage helps you set realistic expectations for timeframes, costs, and what the council is actually assessing at each point. The framework is broadly the same across local governments, with some variation in process detail and timeframe.
1. Pre-lodgement
Before an application is formally lodged, most projects benefit from a pre-lodgement meeting with the council. This is an opportunity to discuss the proposal with the planning officer who will likely assess it, identify likely issues, and confirm what supporting material the council will expect.
Pre-lodgement is not a formal approval stage. The council does not commit to anything in pre-lodgement, but the engagement often shapes the application substantially and reduces the risk of an information request or refusal.
2. Application and acceptance
The application is formally lodged through the council's portal (or through Queensland's DA Online system, depending on the assessment manager). The council then has a short period, usually 5 to 10 business days, to confirm whether the application is properly made: that all required forms, documents and fees have been provided.
If the application is properly made, it moves into the assessment process. If not, the council will issue an action notice requiring the applicant to address the deficiency before the application can proceed.
3. Information request
Within a defined period after acceptance (commonly 10 business days for code, 20 for impact), the council may issue a single information request. This sets out additional information the council needs to complete its assessment, typically additional plans, supporting reports, or clarification on specific issues.
The applicant has up to six months to respond. The clock on the council's assessment period stops while the information request is outstanding. Once the response is received, assessment resumes.
4. Public notification (impact only)
Where the application is impact assessable, public notification is required. The applicant is responsible for placing notices on the property, in a newspaper, and giving notice to adjoining owners. The notification period is at least 15 business days.
During notification, any member of the public may make a properly made submission. Submitters become parties to the application for the purposes of any later appeal. Code assessable applications do not require public notification.
5. Decision
After all issues are resolved (and notification, if required, is complete), the council makes a decision. The decision is one of: approve (with or without conditions); approve in part; or refuse. The decision is communicated through a formal decision notice, which sets out conditions, reasons, and appeal rights.
Most code-assessable applications are decided within around 20 business days of completion of assessment. Impact-assessable applications take longer due to the notification stage and the broader scope of assessment.
The sixth stage, appeal, is available to the applicant and (for impact applications) to submitters. Appeals are heard in the Planning and Environment Court and are subject to their own procedural framework. The vast majority of applications do not progress to appeal.