Expert Town Planning Brisbane

A Material Change of Use (MCU) is defined in the Planning Act 2016 (QLD) as being any of the following changes to a property:

(a) the start of a new use of the premises;
(b) the re-establishment on the premises of a use that has been abandoned;
(c) a material increase in the intensity or scale of the use of the premises.

The local council is responsible for assessing applications for Material Change of Use and determining whether they comply with the relevant planning scheme and state government legislation. The council may consider factors such as the impact on the local environment, traffic flow, parking, and the character of the neighbourhood.

It is important to note that some changes of use may be considered minor and therefore won’t require assessment by the Council.

The development assessment fees depend on the type and size of the development proposal. The fees are set by the Brisbane City Council and are subject to change.

As of July 2023, the Brisbane City Council’s Development Assessment Fees are as follows:

The above fees are to be used as a guide only, and it is recommended to check with the City Council for the most up-to-date information on development assessment fees and any other relevant fees that may apply to your specific development proposal.

Town planning approval is the formal permission needed from your local council (like Brisbane City Council) to begin certain types of development, such as building a new home, subdividing land, changing land use, or extending a property.

You may need planning approval if your project:

• Doesn’t comply with existing zoning rules
• Involves a Material Change of Use
• Requires subdivision (reconfiguring a lot)
• Impacts the streetscape, traffic, or local environment

Our town planners assess your property, determine the best approval pathway (RiskSMART, code assessable, impact assessable), and manage the application process from start to finish. 

Not sure if your project needs approval? Request a free consultation, and we’ll check for you.

RiskSMART is a fast-tracked development assessment process offered by the City Council. 

It is designed to expedite the development application process for low-risk and straightforward development proposals, such as minor building extensions, home renovations, and small-scale commercial developments.

The RiskSMART approval process involves the developer engaging a private sector town planner to assess the proposed development against the relevant planning regulations and policies. 

The consultant then lodges the development application with the City Council on behalf of the developer. The council aims to assess RiskSMART applications within 5 business days, compared to the standard 20 business days for a regular development application.

To be eligible for RiskSMART approval, the proposed development must meet certain criteria, including:

• It must be consistent with the relevant planning scheme and policies.
• It must not have a significant impact on the local environment or neighbourhood character.
• It must not require any significant infrastructure or public works.

The benefits of the RiskSMART process include a faster turnaround time for development applications and improved certainty for developers.

 It also benefits the City Council by reducing the number of low-risk development applications that require assessment, allowing them to focus on more complex and high-risk proposals.

It is important to note that not all development proposals are eligible for RiskSMART approval. Not sure? Contact us to determine if your proposed development is eligible for the RiskSMART process.

In Queensland, subdividing the lot will trigger the requirement to lodge a development application. You’ll need to submit a development application, at minimum, in order to receive development approval to subdivide a lot.  

This will also likely be accompanied by plans illustrating how you intend to subdivide the property.

Most development applications in Brisbane and South East Queensland are assessed by your local council, such as Brisbane City Council or Logan City Council.

However, in some cases, your application may also need to be referred to the Queensland State Government – especially if it impacts state-controlled roads, environmental areas, or public infrastructure.

Our town planners determine which authority is responsible and handle all council or state referrals on your behalf. We ensure your application meets the right criteria, reducing the chance of delays or rejections.

Unsure who needs to approve your project? Talk to our town planners and we’ll check the planning scheme and referral triggers for you.

A town planner can help you secure approvals for residential, commercial, and industrial developments. Whether it’s building a new home, subdividing land, extending a property, or launching a different business use like a childcare centre or gym.

At bplanned & surveyed, we handle:

• Subdivision & reconfiguring of a lot
• Home extensions & new builds
• Material Change of Use (MCU)
• Commercial fit-outs & new developments
• Community-use and mixed-use projects

We manage everything from pre-lodgement to full approval. We can also coordinate with surveyors and engineers.

RiskSMART is a fast-tracked development assessment process available for low-risk applications in Brisbane and Logan.

• RiskSMART applications: usually assessed in 5 business days
• Standard code assessable applications: can take 20+ business days
• Impact assessable applications: may take 4–6 months

To qualify for RiskSMART, your development must meet strict criteria. Luckily, as accredited RiskSMART consultants, we can help you determine eligibility and lodge your application fast.

Ask us whether your project qualifies for the RiskSMART pathway.

You can apply directly through Council – but without expert guidance, applications often get delayed, rejected, or sent back for revision.

A private town planner:

• Knows how to navigate your council’s planning scheme
• Prepares strong development applications that meet code
• Speaks the council’s language – saving you time and stress

At bplanned & surveyed, we manage the entire process and communicate directly with the local Council and State departments on your behalf.

Engaging a private town planner improves your approval chances and speeds things up.

This depends on your project, but most development applications in Queensland require:

• A site plan
• Proposal drawings or architectural plans
• A planning report showing how the proposal complies
• Supporting documents, such as stormwater reports or bushfire overlays (if applicable)

We’ll assess your site and prepare a tailored list of what’s needed, then handle all documentation for submission.

Not sure where to start? Send us your property address and we’ll guide you step-by-step.

Yes! We work with multiple councils across South East Queensland, including:

• Brisbane City Council
• Logan City Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Redland, Gold Coast & Scenic Rim (on request) 

We understand the nuances of each planning scheme and adapt your application accordingly. Let us know your project location and we’ll advise on council-specific requirements.