Planning Scheme

Overview

The Isaac Regional Planning Scheme helps us manage growth, plan for a sustainable future and guide the way land is used and developed in the Isaac Region.

The Isaac Region Planning Scheme 2021 (Planning Scheme) was adopted by Council on 24 February 2021 and came into effect on 1 April 2021. The current version of the Planning Scheme is Version 1.2 which came into effect on 1 September 2026.

The Isaac Region Planning Scheme 2021 does not apply to the area contained within the Galilee Basin Development Scheme (see schemes in later pages).   

Accessing the Isaac Council Regional Planning Scheme

Downloads

Isaac Regional Planning Scheme – ver 1.2(PDF, 5MB)

Strategic Framework Maps - Non Resident Worker Accommodation(PDF, 7MB)

Zoning Maps(PDF, 8MB)

LGIP Maps - Plans for Trunk Infrastructure Water Supply Network – PFTI Water Supply(PDF, 6MB)

LGIP Maps - Plans for Trunk Infrastructure Sewerage Network – PFTI Sewerage(PDF, 4MB)

Mapping - Plans for Trunk Infrastructure Transport Network – PFTI Transport(PDF, 15MB)

Mapping - Plans for Trunk Infrastructure Parks and Land for Community Facilities Transport Network – PFTI Parks and Land for Community Facilities(PDF, 15MB)

Mapping - Plans for Trunk Infrastructure Priority Infrastructure Area- (PIA)(PDF, 6MB)

Overlay Maps - Acid Sulfate Soils (OM1-OM1.15)(PDF, 7MB)

Overlay Maps - Agricultural Lands (OM2-OM2.15)(PDF, 12MB)

Overlay Maps - Airport Environs (OM3-OM3.2)(PDF, 2MB)

Overlay Maps - Bushfire (OM4-OM4.4)(PDF, 45MB)

Overlay Maps - Bushfire (OM4.5-OM4.15)(PDF, 10MB)

Overlay Maps - Coastal Hazards (OM5-OM5.19-1)(PDF, 11MB)

Overlay Maps - Environmental Significance (OM6-OM6.7)(PDF, 9MB)

Overlay Maps - Environmental Significance (OM6.8-6.15)(PDF, 6MB)

Overlay Maps - Extractive Resources and Minerals (OM7-OM7.15)(PDF, 8MB)

Overlay Maps - Flood Hazard (OM8-OM8.15)(PDF, 9MB)

Overlay Maps - Heritage (OM9-OM9.15)(PDF, 8MB)

Overlay Maps - Potential Hazardous Dust (OM10)(PDF, 493KB)

Overlay Maps - Regional Infrastructure (OM11)(PDF, 10MB)

Overlay Maps - Water Resource Catchments (OM12-OM12.15)(PDF, 9MB)

Feasible Alternatives Assessment Report - Flooding Hazards(PDF, 5MB)

 

Accessing the Isaac Council Regional Planning Scheme Online Mapping

Council’s Online Mapping allows users to view property and land information, planning zones and aerial photography.

Access maps here 

Adopted Planning Scheme Amendments


Isaac Region Planning Scheme Version 1.2

Amendments Under Preparation

Major Amendment (Flood Hazard)

Council is proposing changes to the Planning Scheme to develop a more comprehensive approach to the regulation of development in flood prone areas. The amendment will also incorporate more detailed flood mapping developed as part of recent flood studies undertaken by Council.

Major Amendment (Flood Hazard).jpg

Adopted Planning Scheme Amendment – ver 1.1 (Administrative)

On Tuesday 28 May 2024, Council adopted Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021 version 1.1 inclusive of Administrative Amendment 1. The Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021, version 1.1 took effect on and from Monday 1 July 2024 and ceased to have effect on the 31 August 2026.

The overall purpose and general effect of Administrative Amendment 1 is to:

  1. correct spelling and drafting errors throughout the scheme;
  2. update version numbers and page numbers throughout the scheme;
  3. reflect the Planning (State Development Assessment Provisions) Amendment Regulation 2022 and the Planning (Secondary Dwellings) Amendment Regulation 2022;
  4. update map errors on the Coastal hazard overlay maps;
  5. update defined administrative terms on the Strategic Framework maps; and
  6. include a new schedule for designation of premises for development.

A full list of the amendments can be viewed here(PDF, 297KB).

Version 1.1. of the Planning Scheme can be viewed here(PDF, 6MB).

Planning Scheme 1.jpg

 

Adopted Planning Scheme Amendment ver 1.2 (Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan)

On the 22 July 2026, Council adopted Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021 version 1.2 inclusive of Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan. The Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021, version 1.2 will take effect on and from Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Their purpose and general effect of the Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan amendment is to:

a.   Integrate infrastructure planning with land use planning identified in the planning scheme.

b.   Provide transparency regarding Council’s intentions for the provision of trunk infrastructure.

c.   Enable Council to estimate the cost of infrastructure provision to assist its long-term financial planning.

d.   Ensure trunk infrastructure is planned and provided in an efficient and orderly manner

e.   Provide a basis for the imposition of conditions about infrastructure on development approvals.

The amendments in version 1.2 are summarised below: 

Version 1.2

Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan

 

 

 

 

Overall

a) update version numbers and page numbers throughout the scheme

b) document this amendment in appendix 2: Table of Amendments

Part 4

a) correct internal references and consistency of headings

b) amend part 4 consistently with extrinsic material report, adjusting base year, 5 year brackets and ultimate year to 2041

c) Update reviewed tables of desired standard of service

d) Update existing and projections for population, employees, residential dwelling, non residential floor space, plus planned density.

e) Update references to source extrinsic material

Schedule3:

a) Update anticipated network demand across 4 networks

b) Update Standard of Works across 4 networks.

Mapping

a) Insertion of 2 new Plans for Trunk Infrastructure: Water Supply: WS 009 – Carmila and WS 010 – St Lawrence

b) Insertion of 1 new Plan for Trunk Infrastructure: PPCL: PPCL 012 – Remainder of LGA – Greenhill.

 

Version 1.2. of the Planning Scheme can be viewed here

Public Notices for the gazettal of the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme can be viewed:

Courier Mail(PDF, 2MB)

Queensland Government Gazette(PDF, 249KB)

The extrinsic material that supports the preparation of this Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan can be viewed:

Extrinsic Material to the Local Government Infrastructure Plan Rev 1.0 January 2026(PDF, 749KB)

Inputs to Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) Priority Infrastructure Area Population and Dwelling Estimates - Foresight Partners - January 2024(PDF, 254KB)

External Report - Economic and Population Review 2023 – December 2024(PDF, 12MB)

The Review checklist that supports the preparation of this Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan can be viewed

Review Checklist – Interim Local Government Infrastructure Plan – Isaac Regional Council 2026(PDF, 270KB)  

 

What is a Planning Scheme?

A Planning Scheme is a living and evolving document that provides a set of rules and guidelines that regulate how land in specific areas can be used and developed.

A Planning Scheme is designed to shape future land use development decisions and address other matters related to land use and development.

The Isaac Regional Planning Scheme was developed with significant community input to ensure the delivery of development outcomes that are consistent with the communities needs and goals and support Council’s vision of being “a  region that feeds, powers and builds communities, now and for the future”.

A planning scheme is the document a local government uses to tell the public and other levels of government how it plans to manage development and growth in its region and respond to long-term change.

Planning schemes are both:

  • a policy document, setting out the long-term strategic vision for the local government area – typically about 20 years; and
  • a legal document which sets out rules for regulating development and criteria for assessing development applications.

Planning schemes also include:

  • the localised expression of state and regional planning policies; and
  • planning for major local government infrastructure networks.

Planning schemes are written, adopted and applied under the Queensland Government’s Planning Act 2016. The Act provides the framework for Queensland’s planning system which is performance-based, applicant driven and established through a hierarchy of planning instruments. These factors influence, and in some respects prescribe, the content and layout of planning schemes.

For more general information about Queensland’s planning framework, refer to the Queensland Government’s Planning State Development website.

Why have a Planning Scheme?

As a Council, we have a lawful obligation under the Planning Act 2016, to have a planning scheme and to review it every 10 years.

The planning scheme allows the community and Council to make informed decisions about what development can occur where and how the impacts of development will be appropriately managed.

It provides a framework for:

  • making consistent, transparent and accountable decisions; and
  • making decisions which contribute to, and do not detract from, achieving a shared longer-term
  • vision for our region.

From an economic development perspective, the planning scheme can offer policy indications to the property and development markets, as to the form and nature of development that would be positively received in the region to support and stimulate growth in various contexts.

Superseded Planning Schemes

Isaac Region Planning Scheme Version 1.1

On Tuesday 28 May 2024, Council adopted Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021 version 1.1 inclusive of Administrative Amendment 1. The Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021, version 1.1 will took effect on Monday 1 July 2024 and ceased to have effect on the 31 August 2026.

Isaac Region Planning Scheme Version 1.1(PDF, 6MB)

Strategic Framework Maps - Non Resident Worker Accommodation(PDF, 7MB)

Zoning Maps(PDF, 8MB)

LGIP Maps - Priority Infrastructure Area (PIA)(PDF, 5MB)

LGIP Maps - Parks and Land for Community Facilities (PPCL_PFTI)(PDF, 5MB)

LGIP Maps - Sewerage (SEW_PFTI)(PDF, 3MB)

LGIP Maps - Water Supply (WS_PFTI)(PDF, 4MB)

LGIP Maps - Transport (TR_PFTI)(PDF, 13MB)

Overlay Maps - Acid Sulfate Soils (OM1-OM1.15)(PDF, 7MB)

Overlay Maps - Agricultural Lands (OM2-OM2.15)(PDF, 12MB)

Overlay Maps - Airport Environs (OM3-OM3.2)(PDF, 2MB)

Overlay Maps - Bushfire (OM4-OM4.4)(PDF, 45MB)

Overlay Maps - Bushfire (OM4.5-OM4.15)(PDF, 10MB)

Overlay Maps - Coastal Hazards (OM5-OM5.19-1)(PDF, 11MB)

Overlay Maps - Environmental Significance (OM6-OM6.7)(PDF, 9MB)

Overlay Maps - Environmental Significance (OM6.8-6.15)(PDF, 6MB)

Overlay Maps - Extractive Resources and Minerals (OM7-OM7.15)(PDF, 8MB)

Overlay Maps - Flood Hazard (OM8-OM8.15)(PDF, 9MB)

Overlay Maps - Heritage (OM9-OM9.15)(PDF, 8MB)

Overlay Maps - Potential Hazardous Dust (OM10)(PDF, 493KB)

Overlay Maps - Regional Infrastructure (OM11)(PDF, 10MB)

Overlay Maps - Water Resource Catchments (OM12-OM12.15)(PDF, 9MB)

Feasible Alternatives Assessment Report - Flooding Hazards(PDF, 5MB)

 

Other development Schemes in affect in the Isaac region

Galilee Basin State Development Area

Declared in June 2014, the 105,996-hectare Galilee Basin State Development Area (SDA) comprises two 500-metre wide corridors from the Galilee Basin to the Port of Abbot Point. Development in the Galiee Basin State Development Area is undertaken under the Galilee Basin Development Scheme 2014 which is administered by the State Government.

The Development Scheme documents and mapping can be accessed on the States website.

The Galilee Basin is a 247,000 square kilometre thermal coal basin in central Queensland. It is located approximately 200 kilometres west of the Bowen Basin, extending north past Hughenden, south to Charleville and west beyond Winton and Middleton as shown on the below map.

The Galilee Basin SDA will support the development of the Galilee Basin and provide an efficient way to transport coal to the Port of Abbot Point- one rail corridor is designed to service the central Galilee Basin and a second corridor will service the southern Galilee Basin.

The SDA enables a coordinated approach to developing multi-user common rail corridors whilst minimising impacts on landholders and the environment.

The exact timeframe for development of the rail corridors is dependent on investment decisions made by private sector proponents.

Galilee-Basin-State-Development-Area

Revoked Development Schemes previously in affect in the Isaac Region

Moranbah Urban Development Area Development Scheme

The Queensland Government declared the Moranbah Urban Development Area on 30 July 2010. It encompassed large areas of vacant land, part of the Moranbah Golf Course and a small amount of residential and industrial land.

The Queensland Government approved the Moranbah Urban Development Area Development Scheme (Development Scheme) on 29 July 2011. Development within the PDA was regulated in the Moranbah Urban Development Area Development Scheme (development scheme) until its revocation on 14 February 2025.

Following its cessation the land that was previously within in the priority development reverted to being regulated by the Planning Act 2016 and the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021.

The effects of the cessation of the priority development area and relevant regulatory transitional provisions are contained in Subdivision 2 of the Economic Development Act 2012.

The Moranbah Urban Development Area Development Scheme can be accessed here.

Temporary Local Planning Instruments

A Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) is a statutory instrument created under the Planning Act 2016. A TLPI may suspend or affect the operation of another planning instrument (e.g. the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme),but does not amend or repeal that instrument.

A TLPI can be effective for up to two years after its effective date, or sooner if stated in the instrument or repealed.

Generally a TLPI is created if:

  • a significant risk of adverse cultural, economic, environmental or social conditions is happening in the local government area
  • the delay involved in making or amending another local planning instrument (e.g. the planning scheme) would increase the risk
  • a state interest would not be adversely effected by the proposed TLPI.

There are no TLPI’s currently in effect in the Isaac region.