Council's Development Services Department provides a cohesive and well-rounded team which provides Planning, Building and Plumbing advice across the region. The department deals with complex development, compliance and statutory issues and is outcome focused as opposed to process. The department is a 'one stop shop' for all development needs and can provide all advice and approvals in a timely manner.
All applications must be accompanied by the applicable fees.
A Building Development Application is required to be submitted to a building certifier for most building works undertaken within the Council area.
An application usually consists of the appropriate application forms, plans, reports and the relevant application fee.
Building inspection requests must be received 48 hours before the time required.
To download the application forms and guidelines, please visit the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website.
To construct a new driveway, also known as a vehicle crossover, or modify an existing driveway, approval is required from Council in the form of a driveway permit.
A driveway permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Once construction has started, the driveway must be completed within 10 working days. An application form is required for all driveway constructions or modifications within the Gladstone Region, regardless of the area’s zoning (Rural, Urban Residential, Commercial).
To obtain a permit, the applicant must complete an application to construct a driveway (vehicle crossover) form(PDF, 340KB) and submit to Council with the application fee. A non-refundable fee is payable to Council upon application as per the current Fees and Charges Schedule. Applications can be lodged online.
Apply Online
Applications should be made a minimum of 10 business days prior to the commencement date of works. The proposed driveway works must not commence until a permit is received from Council. An inspection is required prior to installing the driveway and the applicant must contact Council to book an appointment for the inspection.
Applicants should note:
- Make themselves aware of Council’s standard conditions(PDF, 92KB) prior to completing and application
- The property owner is responsible for all associated costs of construction and ongoing maintenance of the driveway.
- The property owner must contact Before You Dig Australia on 1100 to ensure the proposed driveway location is free from underground services.
- A separate application may not be required where there is an existing application approved by Council with conditions for Operational Works or Development under the supervision of a Registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ).
- Plan the location of the driveway so that it is clear of any existing street trees in the road reserve. If there is no alternative location and a street tree must be removed, the cost of any remedial works will be at the property owner’s expense and a tree replacement fee will be applicable upon lodgement of the driveway application.
- When planning your driveway council recommends referring to the Capricorn Municipal Development Guidelines website which has access to applicable standard drawings with acceptable standards .
- Recommended and Acceptable Driveway Drawings for:
- Urban or Rural Residential Vehicle Crossovers Where Kerb and Channel Exists – Drawing Number CMDG-R-041
- Urban Commercial / Industrial Vehicle Crossovers – Drawing Number CMDG-R-042A
- Vehicle Crossovers Outside of Urban Areas Where there is no Kerb and Channel – Drawing Number CMDG-R-040
Applicants who cannot comply with Council’s requirements can request an on-site inspection with a Compliance Officer to discuss acceptable options.
A Plumbing Application is required to be submitted to Council for any plumbing and drainage carried out to domestic and/or commercial properties. Plumbing and Drainage, amongst other things, can consist of new or additional plumbing fixtures (toilets, basins, baths).
An application usually consists of the appropriate Application Forms, plans, reports and the relevant application fee.
Plumbing Inspection requests must be received 48 hours prior to the time required.
Recent changes to plumbing legislation refer to the Department of Housing and Public Works.
Approved plumbers and drainers forms refer to the Department of Housing and Public Works.
Information on Notifiable work for plumbing and drainage and Form 4’s refer to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
To download information on the relevant application fees view our Fees and Charges.
Town planning
The Planning Act 2016 came into effect on 3 July 2017 and replaced the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. The Planning Act 2016provides for (amongst other things) the process by which Development Applications must be handled. This process is set out in a statutory instrument called the Development Assessment Rules.
Council's Planning Services Section assesses all Planning Development applications - ie. Material Change of Use (MCU), Reconfiguring a Lot (ROL). The team also assess Boundary Relaxation, Amenity and Aesthetics and Exemption Certificates.
For all planning applications you must:
- Complete DA Form 1 (mandatory).
- Complete any other forms relevant to your application.
- Provide any mandatory supporting information identified on the forms as being required to accompany your application.
- Pay the required fees.
Development Application Forms / Guides
All forms can be obtained from the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning website.
NOTE: The Development Application forms are the approved forms under the Planning Act 2016 and must be used when making an application.
Amenity and Aesthetics
This application(PDF, 222KB) applies for all structures which can impact on the amenity and aesthetics of the area or for any of the scenarios listed on the application form.
Boundary Relaxation
This application(PDF, 222KB) applies for dwelling houses proposed to be constructed closer than 6m to the front boundary and for all other structures seeking boundary relaxation to the side or rear boundary.
Exemption Certificate
This application(PDF, 430KB) applies for specified categories of assessable development to request for exemption.
Current Planning Scheme
Current Planning Scheme
All applications must be accompanied by a statement about how the proposed development addresses the Planning Scheme and any other relevant planning instruments.
Other Useful Links
Pre-lodgement meetings
Pre-lodgement Meetings are designed to provide the customer with detailed advice on proposals that are more complex and generally at a significant stage of their project/application development.
Pre-lodgement meetings allow the opportunity to present proposals once the planning has progressed to an advanced stage. The meetings are suitable for these type proposals:
- Large scale residential developments;
- Major economic investment;
- Significant environmental, social or economic issues;
- Significant Planning Scheme policy issues; and
- Likely to attract significant community interest.
Download Pre - lodgement Request Form(PDF, 413KB)
Lodging a survey plan
To assist with lodging a Survey Plan to Council, please complete the checklist.(PDF, 366KB)
Along with the above checklist, Survey Plan Lodgement usually consists of:
- Survey Plan
- Executed Easement Documentation (if applicable)
- Fees as per Council's Fees & Charges
- Report demonstrating compliance with the Conditions of Development Approval.
To discuss the lodgement of Survey Plans further, please contact Council on (07) 4970 0700.
Planning certificates
To request any of the following town planning certificates, please complete the Development Services Search Request Form(PDF, 833KB) and pay the applicable fee as indicated. Planning Certificates are prepared in accordance with Schedule 23 of the Planning Regulation 2017. Types of Planning Certificates include:
- Limited Planning & Development Certificate
- Standard Planning & Development Certificate
- Full Planning & Development Certificate
Operational work is a term defined by the Planning Act 2016. It refers to work, other than building work or plumbing or drainage work, that affects a premises or the use of a premises. The range of these works may include excavating or filling, clearing vegetation, road works and infrastructure.
Construction Phase
During the construction phase of a development (post approval), changes to design may be required. To formalise these changes, the following form must be completed and submitted to Council for approval of the change.
Change Management
Operational Works - Construction Phase Change Request Form(PDF, 34KB) (Note: No lodgement fee required).
As Constructed Submissions
The following information and associated links are provided for Consultants and Developers who have an association with subdivision and developmental works within the Gladstone Regional Council area and are required to submit final As Constructed plans to Council or as a part of development permit conditions as outlined in the current planning scheme of the Gladstone Regional Council.
The As Constructed process requires the submission of all As Constructed documentation in accordance with Council’s As Constructed Requirements Submission Guideline. The guideline provides detailed guidance on the following: documentation required as part of the submission; survey guidelines; plan layout specifications and specific guidance as to the attribute information required.
In addition to valid and complete set ADAC XML files, the following documents, where applicable, must be submitted to and approved by Council prior to accepting the works as ‘on defects’:
- Electronic copies of As Constructed in PDF format, certified by a Registered Surveyor and the supervising RPEQ engineer; and
- Electronic copies of As Constructed AutoCAD drawings; and
- Engineering Construction and Supervision Certificates - confirmation that the works have been completed in accordance with the approved conditions and/or drawings and technical specifications – signed by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ); and
- Documents/reports etc. as conditioned in the associated Operational Works Approval.
It is recommended that users check the document links on this site regularly prior to each As Constructed documentation submission for any document updates or new releases. For any feedback or enquiries in regard to these documents or processes, please contact the following Council officers by phoning General Enquiries on (07) 4970 0700. All submission documentation is to be sent to info@gladstone.qld.gov.au
Compliance, timeframes, general documentation associated with Operational Works and/or Planning Approvals only – Council’s Development Services Team
GIS and Asset Management System technical advice – Council’s Asset Governance Team.
Further information about ADAC can be found on the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Queensland Northern Territory website which includes specific information for Land Developers.