Development applications and assessment

In a Priority Development Area (PDA), development applications are assessed and decided under the Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act).

View a list of all PDAs

Check if a property is located in a PDA (search by property address or zoom into the map).

MEDQ delegate

The Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) has the powers under the ED Act to assess and decide a PDA development application but may delegate these powers to another entity such as a local government, state government department, authority or agency.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is generally the MEDQ delegate for development applications in PDAs.

However, in the following PDAs the MEDQ has delegated the powers to assess and decide development applications:

• Blackwater and Blackwater East PDAs - Central Highlands Regional Council
• Mackay Waterfront PDA - Mackay Regional Council
• Ripley Valley PDA - Ipswich City Council
• Southport PDA - City of the Gold Coast Council
• Moreton Bay Central PDA - Moreton Bay City Council
• Toowoomba Railway Parklands PDA - Toowoomba Regional Council
• Townsville City Waterfront PDA: where land is not within the strategic port land area - Townsville City Council
• Waraba  PDA -  Moreton Bay City Council

Development application process

Development applications made to EDQ generally go through a multi-step development application process.

Development applications and approvals

If EDQ is the MEDQ delegate for the application, you can search to find out if an application has been lodged with or decided by EDQ.

If another entity, such as a local government or state authority, is the MEDQ delegate for the application, contact them directly for information about current applications and approvals.

Making a development application

Before lodging your development application ensure you have completed the following:

• confirm the location: verify the proposed development site is  in a Priority Development Area (PDA) on the Development Assessment Mapping System
• identify the decision maker: confirm the MEDQ delegate for the development application
• complete the correct forms: use EDQ’s online customer portal or use the correct version of the EDQ approved forms
• obtain owner’s consent: secure consent from all property owners involved in the proposal, including easements or parts of a property
• provide a project cost estimate: include the total design and construction cost estimate of your proposal as required on the application form. Refer to the Planning and infrastructure forms & guidelines for further information
• submit the application: lodge your application via the EDQ online applicant portal OR via email to developmentservices@edq.qld.gov.au

The assessment fee for your application will be calculated in accordance with the EDQ Fees and Charges Schedule. The assessment fee will be confirmed following lodgement, and an invoice will be provided for payment. The fee must be paid for an application to be properly made under s82A of the ED Act.

Development application forms, guidelines and practice notes

If EDQ is the MEDQ delegate for the application, the application must be made using the EDQ approved forms.

If another entity is the MEDQ delegate for the application, contact them to confirm the applicable forms and procedures.

EDQ provides additional information about assessing and deciding development applications in a suite of guidelines and practice notes.

How to make a submission

Anyone can make a submission about a PDA development application.