Changes to development approvals and extension applications
In some circumstances, you may wish to seek a change to a development approval you have received, or like to request an extension to the currency period (time period) to carry out the required development before the approval lapses.
Change applications
In accordance with Queensland Government legislation, Planning Act 2016, changes can be made to a development approval under the following circumstances.
Minor change
A change can be considered as a minor change if the proposed change:
- does not result in ‘substantially different development’
- does not include prohibited development
- does not introduce impact assessment where previously code
- does not introduce new grounds for assessment by a referral agency
- does not introduce a new or additional referral agency.
A minor change to the development would not be substantially different development where the change:
- does not involve a new use
- does not apply to a new parcel of land
- does not dramatically change the built form
- does not change the operation of the development from that intended
- does not impact on traffic flow or transport networks
- does not introduce new impacts, or increase severity of known impacts
- does not remove an offset component
- does not impact on infrastructure provisions.
A minor change application is assessed in accordance with s81 of the Planning Act 2016 and, as stipulated by Queensland Government legislation, is not required to be publicly notified.
To ensure a minor change application is processed as soon as possible, customers are required to:
- clearly identify the type of change being made to the development approval
- complete the required application form in full
- pay the relevant fee
- provide a clear description of each change and the conditions they affect
- ensure all changes are clearly marked (e.g. with use of ‘clouds’ or marked in highlight) on the relevant plans
- provide a full set of plans, not just those pages that have been amended.
If documentation is required to be re-submitted and re-viewed after lodgement, additional fees and charges may apply.
Change other than a minor change (other change)
You may make a request for a change other than a minor change (other change) to the development approval where the change involves substantially different development.
An other change application is assessed in accordance with s82 of the Planning Act 2016 and the Development Assessment Rules 2017. Assessment of other change applications follow the timeframes of a new development application and may require public notification of the change to be carried out.
To ensure an other change application is processed as soon as possible, customers are required to:
- clearly identify the type of change being made to the development approval
- complete the required application form in full
- pay the relevant fee
- provide a clear description of each change and the conditions they affect
- ensure all changes are clearly marked (e.g with use of ‘clouds’ or marked in highlight) on the relevant plans
- provide a full set of plans, not just those pages that have been amended.
If documentation is required to be re-submitted and re-viewed after lodgement, additional fees and charges may apply.
Extension applications
Before a development application lapses, customers may apply to extend the currency period of a development approval in accordance with s86 of the Planning Act 2016. The currency period is the time period within which the actions stated below must occur before the approval lapses.
Development approvals generally specify the applicable currency period:
If not stated then:
- Material Change of Use - six years for the first change of use to start
- Reconfiguring a Lot not requiring Operational Works - four years for the subdivision plan for the reconfiguration to be lodged to Council for plan sealing
- Building Work - two years for the development to substantially start
- Operational Work - two years for the development to substantially start.
Faster assessment for a request to change a development approval
A network of dedicated Council officers streamline the assessment process where minor changes (Planning Act 2016 s81) are required to the plans and/or conditions of an existing development approval that is 'shovel ready'. This will assist projects where minor changes are required at key milestones of construction or to respond to changed circumstances resulting from the coronavirus pandemic to prioritise these decisions, to avoid delays in achieving the final delivery of the project.
'Shovel ready' definition:
- when there are change applications for existing approvals as a result of compliance/enforcement/plan sealing (where the constructed development does not reflect the approval); or
- where there are challenges during construction and proactive change requests are made to solve problems on site; and
- where the operational work approvals are all in place and contractors have been engaged. This case would include changes to development staging, changes to uses in existing built form and referrals from the 133 PLAN Building and Construction Hotline.
Council will target a turnaround of 20 business days for code assessable, well-made change applications. This excludes time during which the application’s progress is subject to the applicant’s action.
To support the streamlined assessment of all development applications lodged with Council, applicants are required to submit well-made applications at the time of lodgement (e.g. completed Council lodgement forms, plans, reports outlining the proposed development against the relevant requirements of Brisbane City Plan 2014). Council’s request to change a development approval online form has been updated to assist customers to meet the well-made lodgement requirements. Changes to gross floor area or building height are not included.
How to lodge a minor change application, other change application, or application to extend the currency period of a development approval
The fastest and easiest way to lodge your request is by using Council's request to change or extend an existing approval online form.
In addition, to request a change application (minor change or other change), you need to complete and submit the prescribed change application form (Planning Act DA Form 5).
If you have any issues submitting your application, contact Lodgement Support Services on 07 3403 4780.
More information
For further information phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak with a planning information officer.
Prelodgement advice regarding a change application can be obtained via a preliminary change application discussion. For an application to extend a currency period, advise can be obtained through a request for written information, or by requesting a prelodgement meeting. Fees apply.