Subdivision, or Reconfiguring a Lot, can be a daunting task for any developer. Whether it be splitting a rural property between siblings or developing a whole new pocket of suburbia, there are vital things that you need to know to make this development journey smoother. Let’s break down subdivision development. Defining Subdivision When people think of subdivision, they tend to immediately think of new suburban developments and mass land releases. This is true, with subdivision not only being the creation of residential developments, but also commercial precincts and industrial parks. However, subdivision isn’t limited to such large-scale development. Another common application is the division of one lot into two or three – for instance a rural lot being formally split between owners. In fact, in many planning schemes you may find it hard to research subdivision, with very little reference to it. This is because the common planning term for this activity is Reconfiguring a Lot. Why not just call it subdivision? Well, the activity isn’t limited to dividing up larger lots of land into smaller ones. It can also include rearranging or merging of existing lot boundaries. 

You’d think that opening your home to others as a short-term accommodation option wouldn’t require much but, as many discover when preparing their dream business, planning legislation says otherwise! Let’s delve into some of the requirements you may face for your BnB.

Cattle plays a massive part of Queensland's agricultural industry and economy. With the need for cattle feedlots growing, Planning Approval Group have obtained approvals for numerous feedlot projects across Queensland. Need feedlot approval? Here is what you need to know. Feedlots and Environmental Approvals When submitting a feedlot development application for approval, it can be a little more time consuming than many people anticipate. Where a lot of development applications may only deal with local Council, approval for a cattle feedlot can involve meeting legislative requirements of multiple State Government agencies. One prime example is an Environmental Authority (EA) . Cattle Feedlots exceeding 150 standard cattle units (SCU) are considered an Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 and so require an Environmental Authority approved by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). In addition, many farms are situated along state-controlled roads and railway corridors, others may have threatened species of flora or fauna, and some may have critical wetlands and waterways. These, and others, can require submissions of applications with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) . This is why it is recommended that a town planner be hired to carry out the application process. WPG have the connections, knowledge, and experience to know exactly what needs to be addressed and how best to address it.

A development application can often take two months or more to achieve approval – ever wished you could cut that time right down? If you are developing within the Brisbane City Council local government area, you could be eligible for their ultimate time saver - RiskSMART! What is RiskSMART? RiskSMART is the fast-tracking development approval process in Brisbane City Council that focusses on development projects that are considered low risk and easily assessable. To be considered Low Risk and RiskSMART suitable you must: Be Code assessable (the development suits the zone); Comply with the eligible development type criteria; Comply with City Plan 2014; Meets the ‘Well Made Checklist’ Criteria; Utilise the RiskSMART planning report template; and Have fees paid in full. How Long Does RiskSMART Approval Take? Whilst a standard development would usually take approximately 2 months or more, depending on compliance and requirements, a RiskSMART application will be assessed within 10 business days from the date Council accepts the lodgement as ‘properly made’ . All Councils require development applications be properly made. Once the application is lodged, before it can be assessed, the Council will check that all required documentation is provided and correctly completed. Once this has been determined, a confirmation notice is issued and the assessment period begins. Standard confirmation periods are up to 5 business days. What Is the RiskSMART Eligibility Criteria? Whilst the specifics are dependent on the development itself, the base eligibility criteria are laid out in the table below: 

Having a sign is part and parcel with owning a business. It’s not only a proud statement of who you are, but it’s also letting people know, “I am here! I have services and goods for you!”. So, with it being a bit of a “given”, did you know that most Councils will require a separate application for your sign? And did you know that a town planner can assist you with this? What Counts As An Advertising Device? What you call a sign may also be referred to as an Advertising Device by the local Council. Signs that generally need approval are those that advertise the business, such as awning signs, pylon signs and fence signs. Directional and general signs may not require approval, but this may depend on the Council and the specifics of the sign. How Do I Know If My Sign Requires Approval? Most Councils will incorporate this information either into their planning scheme or their general permits and building regulations. Some may even provide pages with information and links dedicated to signage and advertising device applications. Examples of this is Brisbane City Council, whose Advertising Device guide can be found HERE , and Central Highlands Regional Council, whose Advertising Device guide can be found HERE . Let’s delve into the above examples to discover what signage advertising devices require approval. Central Highlands Regional Council provides a list of sign types that require approval and also refers to the ‘advertising devices code’ – this code is a part of the Central Highlands Regional Planning Scheme and provides illustrations and descriptions of the types of advertising devices. This code also stipulates specific acceptable limitations of each type of sign. 

Your development matches up with the planning zone, but how does it stack up against the finer codes that could make or break your development?

Queensland Government have settled in for a rigorous review of the State's regional plans - but how will this affect your development?

Plans for a new development but the risks have you hesitating? Here’s how we help you manage property development risk!

The misconception of the role of a town planner is often accompanied by assumptions about high costs. So, what does a Town Planner cost?