City of Gold Coast Planning and Development Hub

Under section 78 of the Planning Act 2016, to change a development approval a person MUST submit a change application on the approved form: Planning Act Form 5 – Change application. Failure to provide this completed form along with any supporting information will result in a Notice of Non-Acceptance Letter as the application will not meet requirements.

It is important when making a change application to be aware of whether the application is for a minor change to be assessed under section 81 of the Planning Act 2016 or for an ‘other’ change to be assessed under section 82 of the Planning Act 2016.

The new Planning Act Form 5 – Change application is NOT used when changing a development application before it has been decided. Section 52(1) of the Act provides ‘an applicant may change or withdraw a development application, before the application is decided, by a notice given to the assessment manager and, for a withdrawn application, any referral agency’.

View form

A practice note has been developed to assist in the determination of height, which is used to establish the correct level of assessment and compliance with acceptable outcomes.

View practice note

On 3 July 2017 the Planning Act 2016 and the Planning Regulation 2017 came into effect, establishing a new system for land use planning within Queensland.

This legislation change sets up a new framework and overarching policy, and affects a number of different facets of planning within the State, including changes to the way local governments can approve a plan of subdivision (plan sealing).

The City will be holding two workshops to look at the changes and new requirements for lodging Subdivision Plans which will cover the following topics:

• The application and approval process for subdivision plans under the Planning Act 2016
  
• Key differences between Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and Planning Act 2016; and
  
• The City’s approach to the changes and implementation of new processes.

The sessions will be held on Wednesday 9th August 2017 and Monday 14th August 2017. Registrations will commence 15 minutes prior to the start times.

These workshop are intended to assist industry in understanding the new changes, identify any issues and provide solutions in streamlining the process.

If you have any questions or have experienced any issues so far please email your queries prior to the workshops to infrastructurecompliance@goldcoast.qld.gov.au so we can provide feedback on the day.

Plan Sealing Workshops

Date: 9 August 2017
Time: 9.30 – 11am
Venue: One50 Public House
Holden Place, Bundall

Date: 14 August 2017
Time: 10.00 – 11.30am
Venue: Karp Court Training Room
Karp Court, Bundall

RSVP:

InfrastructureCompliance@goldcoast.qld.gov.au before COB on Friday 4 August 2017.

Council recently endorsed preparation of the second major update to the City Plan.

The Major Update 2 scope consists of a mix of projects and general policy refinements.

Major Update 2

• Biodiversity areas

• Building height study

• Chevron Island planning investigation

• Calibration

• Communal space and private open space

• Community benefit bonus policy

• Designing for flood

• Emerging community zone – conceptual land use maps

• Employment lands planning investigation

• Vegetation management mapping

• Greenfield land

• Healthy waters code

• Live music

• Podium design

• Rural and Rural residential landscape and environment precinct

• Retirement living and aged persons accommodation

• Sewerage treatment plant buffer

• Upper Coomera Investigation area

• General policy refinements:

  • Battle-axe lot review

  • Commercial use changes in the High density residential zone

  • Dual reticulation

  • Mapping updates

  • Level of assessment for Transport depot in the Rural and Rural residential zones

  • New communities

  • Regulation of driveways and crossovers

  • Transport outcomes

The proposed changes will be released for public comment when City Plan Major Update 2 progresses to the public consultation phase in 2018.

As a result of the introduction of the new Planning Act 2016 there have been some changes to our DA processes.

These updates include a new style of decision notice, changes to public notification requirements and changes to the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DILGP) Development Application forms.

New style of decision notice

As part of the new style of decision notice, the following items will be included:

1. appeal rights; and

2. statement of reasons.

Attachments to the notice will include:

1. final infrastructure charges notice

2. appeal rights extract; and

3. list of principal submitters previously titled catalogue of submitters.

Public notification requirements

Applicants are required to email the following information to mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au as well as the relevant assessing officer.

1. commencement of public notification; and

2. notice of compliance of public notification.

Development application forms

DILGP forms have been updated and are available to view here.

To assist with determining whether a property is within 400 metres walking distance from a mixed use centre or specialist centre the following advice has been prepared.

The Tables of assessment for the Low density residential zone (where not in the Large lot precinct), provide reduced levels of assessment for some land uses where a locational test can be met. For example, a Dual occupancy is Accepted subject to requirements if it is not adjoining an existing or approved Dual occupancy and where located on:

(a) a corner lot; or

(b) a lot with both street and rear lane access; or

(c) a lot within 400 metres walking distance of a mixed use centre or specialist centre

This item provides additional information on point (c).

Mixed use centres and specialist centres

Specialist centres are:

• Surfers Paradise (Centre zone)

• Bundall and Gold Coast Cultural Precinct (Innovation zone)

• Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct/Griffith University (Innovation zone)

• Bond University/Varsity Central (Innovation zone and Centre zone)

• Gold Coast Airport/Southern Cross University (Special purpose zone)

Mixed use centres are:

• located within the Centre zone (other than those that are Specialist centres)

• Southport (CBD) key regional centre (‘CBD Precinct’ in the Southport Priority Development Area)

• Robina key regional centre (‘Robina Town Centre Core Precinct’ in the Robina Central Planning Agreement)

The centres hierarchy is shown in the Centre zone code and on Strategic framework map 5.

Measuring 400 metres walking distance

Walking distance is defined in the City Plan as,

The distance between two points that a person may lawfully and reasonably take on foot.

Note - where the term is used within the table of assessment or assessment provisions,
the distance is taken from the frontage of the subject site to the closest part of the destination.

The distance should be measured along a lawful and reasonable walking route between the front boundary of the subject property to the closest part of the zone/precinct for one of the above centres. This terminology has been used to ensure that the test is facilitating the land uses in areas that can take advantage of the walkable distance to a centre. Walking routes that travel through private property, or a fence, would not meet the City Plan definition.

To assist, Council’s City Plan interactive mapping website includes the relevant zones, an aerial photograph of the City (to identify footpaths and walkable routes) and a measuring tool - see example here.

In accordance with the Planning Act 2016 the City of Gold Coast has prepared a Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) which outlines the City’s vision for trunk infrastructure over the next 15 years.

The draft LGIP has been endorsed by Council, approved by a State Government-appointed reviewer and is currently with the Minister for State interest review. Following approval from the State Government to proceed, the draft LGIP will progress to public consultation, with City officers to review every properly made submission and make changes to the draft LGIP if required. The City will then seek final approval from the State Government to proceed with the LGIP, aiming to have it adopted and implemented by July 2018.

The LGIP outlines the City’s vision for trunk infrastructure services including water supply, sewerage, stormwater, public parks and land for community facilities, and transport networks, which will meet the needs of our growing community. It will boost our robust economy by providing transparent information to the public regarding our future infrastructure plans. The LGIP replaces the current transitional LGIP (formerly the Priority Infrastructure Plan) and will be reviewed regularly and amended with the City Plan.

For more information on the LGIP, please email StrategicInfrastructure@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

We are currently finalising changes to our documents, processes and systems to align with the new planning framework. Decision notices for certain applications such as MCU and ROL issued from 3 July 2017 will include a Statement of Reasons that outline the reasons for decision. Development application information will continue to be available through PD Online. Our updated website includes information about other changes arising from the new planning framework and the updated fees and charges. Visit our website or contact the Planning Enquiries Centre on 07 5582 8708.

The City of Gold Coast (City) is seeking feedback from developers and industry on the City’s plans for changes to large water meter installations (50mm and above).

Historically, all of the City’s large water meters have been installed below ground in plastic or cement meter pits outside of the property boundary. The proposed changes will see larger meters installed above ground and on lot. The changes are applicable for new water meter installations and reconfigurations only with existing meter installations being assessed on a case by case basis when replacement is required.

The changes will be implemented in approximately six months' time and will improve accessibility to the meters, extend their lifespan and reduce workplace health and safety issues associated with accessing underground meter pits. The changes will also align the City’s standards with other water service providers, including those in South East Queensland.

The plans and drawings detailing the changes are provided here for viewing.

Please provide your feedback on these planned changes to watermeters@goldcoast.qld.gov.au by 31 January 2018.

The Planning Regulation 2017 Schedule 18 changes the application process for approval of a plan of subdivision (plan sealing). Council has been reviewing the new application and decision requirements to bring our plan of subdivision assessment process (plan sealing) and documents in line with the new requirements

Schedule 18 of the Planning Regulation sets out application, assessment and decision requirements for approving plans of subdivision. Like other application processes, applicants will be required to front load their applications to ensure they meet all relevant approval requirements. New Council application forms will acknowledge the completion of all previous development permit obligations, prior to lodgement of the plan of subdivision with Council. This step is designed to help ensure that all material is lodged with Council at the necessary time.

A separate communication will be released on Monday 3 July detailing the changes and providing information on how the City will transition to the new requirements.

Council will be allowing a transition period where the current Council plan sealing application kit forms will be accepted for the first two weeks of July.

A workshop will also be arranged inviting applicants to provide feedback on the new process requirements following an initial ‘go live’ period.

New forms and associated documents will be available on the website from 3 July 2017. Feedback and/or queries regarding Council’s new process and documentation are encouraged via plansealing@goldcoast.qld.gov.au