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Development application process

Development applications typically follow a multi-step process in accordance with the Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act).  Some may be optional, such as prelodgement advice.  Other steps may only apply in specific circumstances, such as public notification (notice of application).

1. Pre-lodgement services (optional)

The prelodgement service is free and provides access to expert planning and engineering advice for proposed developments located in a Priority Development Areas (PDA), prior to lodging the development application.

This service is intended to assist customers by providing site specific guidance, including relevant provisions of PDA development instruments and guidelines. The advice will provide customers with sufficient certainty regarding EDQ requirements to proceed with lodgement of an application and facilitate a streamlined approval process.

The types of advice you can request include:

  • Pre-purchase advice provides strategic high-level feedback on the development proposal to give certainty prior to moving forward with a more detailed proposal. Supporting information is conceptual in nature.
  • Concept design advice provides integrated planning and engineering assessment of relevant assessment criteria. Plans clearly demonstrating the development concept is required.
  • Detailed design advice is suitable for significant development proposals and may involve a sequence of meetings designed to resolve critical issues prior to lodgement. Supporting information is required on each topic area.

Prelodgement advice could be as simple as an email or phone call exchange providing clarification and feedback, or an in person or online meeting where more detailed advice is provided.

No matter the scale of your development, EDQ’s prelodgement advice involves working in partnership with customers to find solutions, unlock opportunities and minimise risk before a development application is lodged.

Generally, the earlier an applicant engages with EDQ to consider a proposal, the more streamlined and productive the overall process is likely to be.

Prelodgement advice also provides opportunities to understand EDQ’s unique self-certification process (explained in the Certification Procedures Manual)

and how your project will benefit during infrastructure delivery.

Prelodgement Advice Terms

EDQ holds prelodgement advice meetings every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 1pm.

To ensure the quality and consistency of advice provided by EDQ officers, at least 10 (ten) business days is required between receipt of the request and your meeting. If a meeting is required urgently, please contact EDQ directly.

The level of guidance provided by EDQ is dependent upon the level of detail provided by the applicant.

Written prelodgement advice will be provided within 2 days of the meeting occurring.

The prelodgement process provides initial advice relevant to a development proposal to assist in streamlining the formal development assessment process.  The initial advice provided is based on the PDA provisions in effect on the date the advice is provided. The advice given by EDQ officers does not constitute a formal response or decision by the MEDQ and in no way fetters a future decision by EDQ.

You can lodge your application through EDQ’s online customer portal.

2. Application Lodgement

Before lodging a development application;

Following lodgement, EDQ will contact the applicant to confirm:

  1. the applicable assessment fee for the application (including any third party peer review costs which will be charged on a 100% cost recovery basis)
  2. all relevant information has been provided (as required by the approved application form)

Application assessment will only commence once the application is properly made.

3. Assessment

All PDA development applications are assessed against the Development Scheme for the PDA, unless an Interim Land Use Plan (ILUP) is in place. A Development Scheme or ILUP may cite other standards and documents, including EDQ guidelines and practice notes.

During the assessment process, EDQ may seek advice from other State government departments and independent technical specialists.

Additional information may be requested from the applicant through an information request and in some instances local community feedback may be requested through public notification.

Supporting information lodged with your development application should identify any relevant state interests. Refer to the State Interest checklist and Practice Note 14 for further information

4. Public Notification/Notice of application (if required)

Public notification of a development application is required if:

  1. the PDA development scheme requires public notice of the development
  2. the relevant development is a PDA-associated development and is PDA assessable development, or
  3. within 20 business days of the application being properly made – the MEDQ advises that public notification of the application is required.

The Economic Development Regulation 2013 sets out the way the Notice of application (public notification) must be undertaken.

The Notice of application is undertaken by the applicant and invites submissions from the public during the submission period. The submission period must be at least 20 business days.

5. Decision

Under the ED Act, there is a 40-business day statutory timeframe, to decide a PDA development application.

If public notification is required, an application cannot be decided until the notice of compliance with requirements.

6. Compliance assessment

Compliance assessment is the EDQ process of endorsing documents (plans, works, reports, strategies), as required by a condition of approval.

The endorsement is required prior to any works commencing and may be repeated where a different design or solution to that already endorsed is sought.

Where compliance assessment is required, the applicant must:

  1. pay the relevant fee (including any third party peer review costs which will be charged on a 100% cost recovery basis). View the current Fees & Charges Schedule
  2. complete the application details via EDQ’s online customer portal.

    3. If you require help with lodgement via the customer portal refer to the FAQ or request support by emailing portalhelp@edq.qld.gov.au

  3. submit the information, as required by the relevant condition of approval.
  4. for endorsement of land uses submit a statement of how the development meets the plan of development. The process and timeframes for compliance assessment is established through the condition of the approval.

Within 20 business days of lodgement, EDQ assesses the information and either:

  • endorses the information as satisfying the condition of approval, or
  • notifies the applicant the information does not satisfy the condition.

To expediate the assessment prelodgement advice is recommended prior to lodgement.

The condition of approval is determined to have been met only when EDQ endorses the information. However, if either party is not satisfied with the processes or the outcome, that party can elect to enter into a mediation process with an independent mediator agreed to by both parties.

7. Approval of Plan of Subdivision (Plan Sealing)

Plan sealing is the process where EDQ officially approves the survey plan for subdivision or multiple dwelling developments after confirming that all conditions of the PDA Development Approval have been met, and all infrastructure requirements have been carried out. Plan sealing is needed to register a lot title with Titles Queensland.

Application requirements

To lodge a plan sealing request, the below mandatory documents are required to be submitted. Without these documents EDQ cannot progress your application.

  • original survey plan complying with approved plan, signed by registered owner
  • Titles Queensland form 18A
  • utilities connection certificate
    • must reference the current development approval (including any change applications) and/or the correct stage number
  • report demonstrating compliance with all conditions of approval, and documentary evidence

    • receipt of payment to EDQ for the Infrastructure Charges. To lodge a request for an invoice via EDQ’s online customer portal

  • copy of fully signed easement documentation (other than easements to be granted to EDQ), if necessary.

Lodge your plan sealing application via EDQ’s online customer portal.

If you require help with lodgement via the customer portal refer to the FAQ or request support by emailing portalhelp@edq.qld.gov.au

If required for your application also provide the following:

  • Building Format Plan
  • Community Management Statement (CMS)
    • must not conflict with the development approval
    • must reference the exact wording of the approval conditions
  • Uncompleted works bond documentation in accordance with the Certification Procedures Manual.

More information

For more information about the development application process contact developmentservices@edq.qld.gov.au

Last updated: 3 November 2025

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