Revoked Priority Development Areas
Priority Development Areas (PDAs) are established to facilitate economic development and development for community purposes. Once the PDA has delivered it’s intended purpose, the PDA is revoked. Below is a list of revoked PDAs.
Moranbah, Isaac Regional Council area
Key details
The Moranbah Priority Development Area (PDA) was revoked on 14 February 2025. The decision to revoke the PDA was made given the significant social and economic benefits the PDA has delivered for Moranbah, as well as for the broader resources industry over its 14-year tenure.
The Moranbah PDA was declared on 30 July 2010 covering an area of 1,218 hectares within the Isaac Regional Council area, approximately 200 kilometres south-west of Mackay in Central Queensland. The PDA was declared to respond to the region’s booming mining industry at the time and address the housing shortage.
During its tenure, the PDA delivered significant economic and social benefits to the Moranbah community. This included:
- Over 340 residential lots, 4,000 workforce accommodation units, and 200 multiple dwelling units delivered under the Development Scheme, boosting the local supply and affordability of housing.
- Bushlark Grove estate, delivering 175 homes in proximity to community facilities, schools and childcare services—fully sold out by 2021.
- Housing solutions for key workers and First Nations Barada Barna group, plus
- Enabling the delivery of essential support services, such as Moranbah Youth and Community Centre
Development over land previously within the PDA is now regulated under the Planning Act 2016 and the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021. Visit Isaac Regional Council for more information on planning and development within Moranbah.
Development scheme
The Moranbah PDA development scheme was the previous regulatory document which assisted with the planning, carrying out, promoting, coordinating and controlling land development within the PDA.
As of the 14 February 2025 the Moranbah PDA Development Scheme is no longer in effect.
Note: Amendments to the Economic Development Act 2012 provide clarification on the transitioning of PDA development applications and approvals to the Planning Act 2016 framework.
Development assessment
PDA development applications lodged prior to 14 February 2025 are assessed and decided against the Moranbah PDA development scheme. Development applications lodged on or after 14 February 2025 are assessed and decided against the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021.
The Economic Development Act 2012 provides transitional provisions for development applications lodged prior to 14 February 2025 and PDA development approvals.
Historical documents
Moranbah PDA Development Scheme
FAQs about Moranbah PDA Revocation
When was the Moranbah PDA declared?
The Moranbah PDA was declared on 30 July 2010.
Why was the Moranbah PDA declared?
The PDA was declared to respond to the region’s booming mining industry at the time, as well as address subsequent housing shortages for locals.
When did the Moranbah PDA Development Scheme come into effect?
The public notification and submission period for the Proposed Development Scheme was held from 7 February to 22 March 2011. A total of 36 submissions were received during this period. The Development Scheme came into effect on 29 July 2011.
What has the Moranbah PDA achieved?
Over 340 residential lots, 4,000 workforce accommodation units, and 200 multiple dwelling units delivered under the Development Scheme, boosting the local supply and affordability of housing.
EDQ enabled the Bushlark Grove estate, by delivering 175 homes and open space close to retail, community facilities, schools, and childcare services. The success of Bushlark Grove saw it sell out in 2021.
The PDA has facilitated a diversity of housing solutions for key workers and First Nations Barada Barna group, plus the delivery of the Moranbah Youth and Community Centre.
EDQ has been instrumental in:
- Unlocking housing supply through the PDA accelerated planning framework
- Delivering small lot topology to meet affordability crisis needs
- Working closely with First Nations representatives (Barada Barna group) to negotiate a “Native Title Agreement” to unlock affordable housing in the Moranbah region.
Moranbah is now equipped to meet the region’s future needs, with a strong foundation for growth.
Why did the Queensland Government revoke the PDA?
Over the past 14 years, the Moranbah PDA Development Scheme has successfully allowed for development to take place, supporting economic and community benefits for Moranbah and the wider region.
At the request of the Isaac Regional Council, both the council and EDQ have been working together to revoke the PDA.
The current Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021 provides for the land previously within the PDA, as well as the future housing and development needs of the community.
Why was there no community consultation on the proposed revocation?
The Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ), consistent with the requirements of the Economic Development Act 2012 determined that the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021 adequately provides for the land within the PDA, and that sufficient community consultation was carried out by Council on the planning scheme. The planning scheme applies zones and overlays that generally align with the Moranbah PDA Development Scheme.
What is the planning and development assessment process now?
From 14 February 2025, all new development applications over land previously in the PDA will be assessed in accordance with the development assessment framework under the Planning Act 2016, which may require assessment against the Isaac Regional Planning Scheme 2021.
The Economic Development Act 2012 provides transitional provisions for development applications lodged prior to 14 February 2025 and not yet decided, and for PDA development approvals.
What happens to existing PDA development approvals?
The Economic Development Act 2012 provides that upon cessation of a PDA development approvals are taken to be a Planning Act 2016 development approval. As such, all Moranbah PDA development approvals valid at the time of revocation, will remain valid.
What happens to development applications lodged prior to revocation?
The Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act) provides transitional provisions for PDA development applications made, but not decided, at the time of revocation. These applications continue to be decided under the ED Act and assessed against the Moranbah PDA Development Scheme as if the revocation had not happened.
What happens to the Moranbah PDA Development Scheme?
The Moranbah PDA Development Scheme is no longer in effect for new development. It will only be applied to PDA development applications lodged prior to revocation and not decided before 14 February 2025.
Last updated: 14 February 2025