There are rules that govern the distance a house and other structures can be positioned from the front, rear and side property boundaries - known as setbacks – as well as site coverage (siting) and building heights.
Within Isaac, these are regulated by a combination of Isaac Regional Council’s Planning Scheme, and Queensland Development Code (QDC).
Do I need a Referral Agency Assessment?
A Referral Agency Assessment is only required for certain types of building works and only if those works do not comply with the acceptable outcomes of the codes and standards for design, siting provisions contained within the Queensland development code which can be found using the links below) depending on whether your lot is over or under 450m2.
MP1.1 Lots less than 450m2
MP1.2 Lots larger than 450 m2
How to apply for a Referral Agency Assessment for a Siting Concession
Preparing a Referral Agency advice request can be a complex task. Unless you understand the legal requirements and Council’s planning rules, you may find it useful to get expert help from a private building certifier or town planning consultant.
Referral Agency advice can be obtained in two ways:
- By a private building certifier as part of a building approval.
Applications lodged this way are processed in accordance with strict statutory timeframes. Council will provide the referral agency response to the assessment manager (private building certifier) to include in the building approval decision notice. To apply through a private building certifier, engage your preferred certifier and follow their advice. Building Certifiers are the assessment managers of development applications for building work and will be able to assist you through the process from beginning to end including referring your application to Council if required.
Note: if you are engaging a building certifier, they typically take care of the application process on your behalf.
- As an early response for advice before applying for building approval
A property owner can seek an assessment for early response before formally applying for building approval. Early response applications are not subject to specific timeframes for response, and Council has the right to provide a partial or no response.
If you require a sitting concession, either yourself or your building certifier should complete and submit a Siting Concession Application Form via email to records @isaac.qld.gov.au
Siting Concession Application Form(PDF, 637KB)
A fee is also required to assess the request.
If you are looking to buy or sell property in the Isaac Region, it's a good idea to research property information to inform your decision. There are a number of different searches you can do under the Planning Act which provide different levels of information. A fee is payable when applying for a limited, standard or full certificate with planning and development certificate for a premises. View our current fees below.
View the current Fees & Charges Schedule
These are explained below.
Limited Planning Certificate
The certificate gives you a summary of relevant planning scheme provisions, any variation approvals, state planning instruments, or any infrastructure charges recorded for the premises. The certificate will also describe any designations applying to the premises.
Standard Planning Certificate
In addition to the information contained in a limited certificate regarding the premises, the standard planning and development certificate includes:
- a copy of every decision notice or negotiated decision notice in effect for the premises
- details for any changes to a development approval
- details of any approval given to extend the currency period
- a copy of every current deemed approval notice
- a copy of any compliance certificate in effect at the time, including any changes to the certificate
- details of any approval or refusal under the LGP&E Act
- details of any exemption certificates
- a copy of any judgement or order of the Planning and Environment Court or a tribunal about a development approval or a condition included in a compliance certificate
- a copy of any agreement to which the local government is a party or has received a copy that a referral agency is a party
- a copy of any infrastructure agreement to which the local government is a party or has received a copy under section 153 of the Act
- a description of each amendment proposed to the planning scheme, that has not yet been made at the time the certificate is given
- a description of a planning scheme that is proposed to replace the local government’s existing planning scheme and has not yet been made at the time the certificate is given
- a copy of each master plan, decision or negotiated decision, Planning and Environment Court order or building and development committee.
Full Planning Certificate
In addition to the Limited and Standard information above, a full certificate must include:
- a statement about the fulfilment or non-fulfilment of each condition that applies to a relevant approval
- for any infrastructure agreements with the local government, details of any obligations that have not been fulfilled, and details of any security payments, either paid or unpaid
- details of any prosecutions, or proceedings for a prosecution, under the Act, the old Act, or the repealed IPA that the government is aware of.
How long will it take?
Limited Planning and Development Certificates: 5 business days completion time from the date of lodgement.
Standard Planning and Development Certificates: 10 business days completion time from the date of lodgement.
Full Planning and Development Certificates: 30 business days completion time from the date of lodgement.
There is also an option for an urgent Full Planning and Development Certificate: 15 business days completion time from the date of lodgement.
Our aim is to provide quality customer service to our clients and every endeavour is made to supply property information by the time requested. If you provide us with an email address, we will be able to supply your property search information by email rather than by post.
How do I apply for a Planning Certificate?
Make a request for a planning and development certificate by completing our property search form and paying the applicable fee.
Property Search Form(PDF, 329KB)
You can also make a request for a planning and development certificate by submitting a completed property search form to one of our Council offices.
Contact Us
We recommend that you opt for the search to be sent to you via email as this is the fastest method available for delivery.
Search results can be posted to you or collected from council's Customer Service Centre.