How planning in Queensland and Brisbane fits together
Planning for the future happens on many layers in Queensland, South East Queensland and Brisbane. Governed by the Planning Act 2016 (PA), each layer provides rules or guidelines to direct and promote development outcomes for future growth and sustainability.
There are four key levels of planning under PA for Queensland and Brisbane. The responsibilities for the creation of these plans or instruments is divided between Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government.
The Queensland Government is responsible for:
- state planning instruments
- regional plans - for Brisbane, the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017, also known as ShapingSEQ.
Council is responsible for:
- Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan), which is the local planning scheme
- neighbourhood plans, which form part of City Plan.
Instruments and plans that guide planning and development
Neighbourhood planning (Brisbane City Council)
Neighbourhood plans
Neighbourhood plans are created by Council together with local residents and businesses to guide local development in Brisbane.
Once plans are adopted, they form part of City Plan.
City planning and economic development (Brisbane City Council)
Brisbane Vision 2031
Brisbane Vision 2031 is Council's long-term community plan for the city. It details the aspirations for our city's future and outlines ideas for achieving this vision.
Brisbane City Plan 2014
City Plan guides and controls how development currently occurs across Brisbane.
Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP)
The Local Government Infrastructure Plan is included in Part 4 of City Plan.
The purpose of the plan is to integrate and coordinate land use planning and infrastructure planning, and to ensure that trunk infrastructure (like roads and stormwater) is planned and provided in an efficient and orderly manner.
Brisbane's City Centre Master Plan
The Brisbane City Centre Master Plan 2014 sets a 20-year vision for the future of the Brisbane city centre and focuses on sites, streets and other spaces such as laneways and parks.
Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan
The Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2012-2031 provides the strategic direction for infrastructure provision in Brisbane to meet the community's needs while enhancing the city's capacity for long term economic development.
Brisbane Economic Development Plan
Brisbane's Economic Development Plan 2012-2031 establishes the priorities to support Brisbane's capacity for long term economic growth.
Regional planning (Queensland Government)
South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017
This plan guides growth and development in South East Queensland.
Find out more information about the plan from Queensland Government.
State planning (Queensland Government)
State Planning Policy 2017
The State Planning Policy defines the Queensland Government's policies about matters of state interest in land use planning and development.
Planning Act 2016
This is the Queensland Government's planning legislation. Council writes its plans under this legislation.
The Queensland Government's Planning Act 2016 (PA) came into effect on 3 July 2017.
Council has amended its local planning scheme, Brisbane City Plan 2014, to align with the new state government legislation. These amendments do not change Council’s planning intent, but improve and clarify code assessment benchmarks, and reformat the planning scheme structure to improve clarity and overall operation.
Read about the impacts of the legislation on Council's planning scheme and development assessment process.