Planning guidelines and technical documents
Use these guidelines to ensure your development and technical documents meet planning requirements.
The role of technical documents
Technical documents provide essential information about a proposed development. You may need to submit specific technical documents with your development application.
The development assessment manager (e.g. Council) uses them to evaluate your project for compliance with planning requirements, before giving you approval to begin construction.
All building and planning in Brisbane is subject to requirements set by Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan).
Use these guidelines and resources to ensure your development proposal and technical documents comply with Council’s standards and City Plan.
Brisbane Standard Drawings
Brisbane Standard Drawings (BSD) show standard designs, guidelines and details for the construction and delivery of infrastructure assets governed by Council.
Council introduced the BSD suite for use with City Plan.
Importance of using standard drawings
Consistency
Standard drawings establish a common set of design and construction guidelines for engineers, architects and contractors.
Efficiency
Standard drawings can be adapted to project requirements, avoiding the need to start from scratch.
Regulatory compliance
Standard drawings help ensure that infrastructure meets safety, environmental and technical standards.
Reference specifications for engineering work
Reference specifications ensure that engineering work aligns with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Specifications guide your project’s design parametres, material specifications, construction techniques, testing protocol and safety considerations.
These reference specifications show the acceptable requirements for work to be constructed for Council or in a development to be delivered to Council. They include:
- earthworks
- utility trenches
- roadworks
- traffic signs
- road pavement markings
- stormwater drainage.
There are two parts in the specifications system:
- reference specification
- annexures (optional).
Following the reference specifications makes the approval process easier.
If you need to modify the reference specifications, you can do this by:
- a job specification
- an annexure to the specifications
- any additional specifications
- any other modifying instrument.
Infrastructure and construction
Infrastructure Installation and Construction Requirements Manual
The Infrastructure Installation and Construction Requirements Manual (IICRM) outlines the construction handover and practical completion stages of an infrastructure build.
The manual provides information on:
- design construction techniques
- liaison requirements
- quality control
- compliance requirements
- liability periods
- project management considerations.
Use it to ensure that you comply with Council’s infrastructure standards.
Construction management guidelines for major projects
There are major construction projects underway in the Brisbane CBD and surrounding areas.
Use these guidelines to plan for and factor in the construction management of these projects.
The guidelines detail how we’re managing traffic, safety and the overall operation of the inner-city transport network, including:
- development construction activity requirements for proposed development
- associated Council permits and advice
- requirements of a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)
- information on heavy vehicle lock-out periods.
Infrastructure design guidelines
Infrastructure design guidelines are recommendations and specifications for the design and development of infrastructure projects.
The Infrastructure design planning scheme policy (IDPSP) identifies information Council may request for a development application.
The IDPSP is part of Brisbane City Plan 2014 and includes advice on how to satisfy assessment benchmarks, standard drawings and specifications for infrastructure provisions.
It includes such things as road design, stormwater drainage, public footway upgrades and public utilities.
Stormwater pipes and pavement infrastructure system
Access Council’s research findings and technical guidelines on stormwater pipes and pavement management system.
Designed for industry experts, including engineers, planners and designers, these documents provide technical guidance, such as:
- industry best practice in water sensitive landscape design
- guidelines for stormwater outlets in parks
- advice on addressing environmental issues associated with the management of stormwater infrastructure for service stations
- coloured pavement marking guidelines.
Water and sewerage guidelines
Urban Utilities coordinates water and sewerage infrastructure in the Brisbane Local Government Area.
To access design and infrastructure requirements for water and sewerage infrastructure, visit Urban Utilities.
Industry environmental guides
Get guidance on implementing environmentally responsible practices in your operations.
Our series of industry environmental guides helps you to:
- improve your compliance with environmental regulations and legal requirements and avoid penalties.
- ensure you meet the requirements of Brisbane City Plan 2014.
- work with confidence that you’re protecting the environment and minimising risk of environmental incidents.
- reduce operating costs by minimising waste disposal costs
- enhance your business reputation.
The documents available include guidance for:
- boat repair and maintenance
- concrete batching
- motor vehicle smash repair
- surface coating.
Public lighting designs
Designs for public lighting and any associated electrical work must be submitted to Council for acceptance.
Public lighting includes:
- street lighting
- pedestrian lighting
- under-awning lighting
- metered lighting.
Designs are reviewed to ensure they comply with City Plan, Australian Standards and other Council requirements such as:
- maintainability
- operation
- functionality
- sustainability
- impact on residents.
Download our guides to learn more about the acceptance process, design standards and what you need to provide in your submission.
Lighting consultants have comprehensive knowledge of the applicable standards and requirements of public lighting design in Brisbane.
Refer to our Public lighting designs – information guide for more details on design standards and a checklist for lighting consultants.
Design information and documentation must be legible and show calculations in full.
Refer to our 2 information guides to ensure your submission covers all relevant requirements.
Send your public lighting designs and all supporting documentation to City Lighting at CS-Lighting@brisbane.qld.gov.au.
Fees for submission are available in the Schedule of Fees and Charges.
We’ll review your application and send you a response within 30 days.
You may be asked to make corrections or amendments to your application if our assessment identifies defects or non-compliance.
We’ll issue a letter of acceptance via email when your design is accepted. The letter is valid for 12 months and sets out the conditions of acceptance.
You may be required to submit the letter to Energex for their acceptance process.
Frequently asked questions
The technical documents required for your development application will vary depending on your project.
Common documents required include architectural drawings, site plans, engineering reports, environmental impact assessments and compliance certificates.
To ensure your technical documents comply with building standards, carefully review the City Plan building codes and regulations specific to your project.
You can also request planning advice from Council and consult with industry experts such as architects and engineers, who are experienced in building standards and planning requirements. They can help prepare technical documents.
Templates or resources for preparing technical documents may be available from industry organisations.
Check the planning and building requirements for your project to confirm if you need specific technical documents or expert advice.
Yes, it is strongly recommended that you engage experts when preparing technical documents.
They can provide valuable expertise and ensure your technical documents meet the required standards. They can also guide you through the development application process and address any complexities.