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Have your say on an application

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Share your thoughts on a proposed development.

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Your opinion about development in Brisbane is important to us. You can have your say on proposed plans that affect your property or local area.  

Your feedback helps us to make decisions about proposed development.

All current development applications are available for review before having your say.

How to have your say on a development application

There are different ways to share your feedback on a development application.

Anyone can formally support or oppose:

This type of feedback is called a 'submission'. 

A submission can be made by a:

  • person
  • group
  • organisation. 

Making a properly made submission gives you the legal right to appeal Council’s decision on the development through the Planning and Environment Court.

You can share your opinion on proposed development that isn’t formally open for submissions.

Your comments will be considered during the application's assessment. 

Making a comment will not give you the legal right to appeal Council’s decision.

Have your say on a neighbouring development that requests advice from Council acting as a referral agency. 

Your comments will be reviewed and considered as part of the application's assessment. 

Consulting affected neighbours is recommended, but not legally required. You won’t have the legal right to appeal Council’s decision on the development.

How to make a submission

1 View the development application

Before preparing your submission, view the development application (DA) to ensure you’re well informed about all the elements of the proposal. 

You can view all the documents and plans associated with a development application using Development.i. 

On Development.i you can:

  • view the application and plans
  • make sure the proposed development is open to receiving submissions
  • check the status of the development application
  • read other submissions
  • check the closing date for submissions.

To find a development application, search by:

  • application number
  • address
  • map location.
2 Prepare your submission

A properly made submission will need to:

  • state what aspects of the plan or proposed development you support or oppose, and why 
  • be signed by each person making the submission
  • include the full name and residential or business address/es of each person making the submission
  • include a postal or email address for each person who is making the submission
  • be received by Council before the closing date for submissions.

Identify the reason for your submission
 

You’ll need to be clear about why you support or object to a development.

If you think a type of development is unsuitable for your area, we want to understand why. You should identify any anticipated impacts arising from the proposed development.

It’s important you focus on planning issues, such as:

  • whether the proposed use is consistent with the intent for the area as expressed in Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan)
  • whether the scale and design of the proposed development is compatible with surrounding development
  • how the development addresses the street and connects with adjoining properties
  • any potential traffic and car parking issues associated with the development
  • hours of operation (for commercial activities)
  • how the development may impact on drainage patterns in the area
  • how the development fits with any objective of City Plan to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Consult an expert


Reviewing a development application will involve looking at drawings and reports from industry specialists.

You may need to seek expert advice to understand the application and prepare a valid submission.

Privacy
 

You can’t make an anonymous submission. Anonymous submissions are invalid and won’t be considered by Council. 

All submissions are published on Development.i for viewing with the development application. You can choose whether you want your personal details published with your comments.

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Note

Once an application is decided, the name and address of all submitters is provided to the applicant in accordance with legislation. This information is also available to other submitters.

3 Lodge your submission

If you know the development application’s reference number, complete the online form to lodge your submission.

If you don’t have the application reference number:

  1. Search for the development application on Development.i.
  2. Click the ‘Details’ icon in the application listing.
  3. Select 'Make a submission’ from the 'More Details' box. 

After lodging your submission

Review your submission at any time on Development.i. You can amend or revise your submission before the closing date. 

Changed your mind? You can withdraw your submission up until Council makes its final decision. 

Notice of decision 

If you made a properly made submission for an impact assessable application or a change application, we’ll let you know about Council’s decision. This will happen following the applicant's appeal period of 20 business days after the decision.

If you made a comment on another type of development application, you’ll be notified when the decision is made.

How to make a comment on a development that isn’t open for submissions

1 View the development application 

Before making a comment, view the development application or request for referral response to ensure you’re well informed about all the elements of the proposal. 

You can view all the documents and plans associated with a development application or request for referral response using Development.i. 

On Development.i you can:

  • view the application or request and plans

  • check the status of the development application or request

  • read other comments.

To find a development application or request, search by: 

  • application number

  • address

  • map location.

2 Prepare your comment

Your comment will need to clearly state what aspects of the plan or proposed development you are commenting on, and why.

Identify the reason for your comment
 

You’ll need to be clear about why you are objecting or supporting a development or request.

If you think a type of development is unsuitable for your area, we want to understand why. 

It’s important you focus on planning issues, such as:

  • whether the proposed use is consistent with the intent for the area as expressed in Brisbane City Plan 2014  (City Plan) 
  • whether the scale and design of the proposed development is compatible with surrounding development
  • how the development addresses the street and connects with adjoining properties
  • any potential traffic and car parking issues associated with the development
  • hours of operation (for commercial activities)
  • how the development may impact on drainage patterns in the area
  • how the development fits with any objective of City Plan to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Privacy
 

You can’t make an anonymous comment as these won’t be considered by Council. 

All comments are published on Development.i for viewing with the development application and request for a referral response. Your personal details will be published with your comments.

3 Lodge your comment

If you know the application’s reference number, complete the online form to lodge a comment for a development application or request for referral response.

If you don’t have the application reference number:

  1. Search for the development application or request for referral response on Development.i.
  2. Click the ‘Details’ icon in the application listing.
  3. Select ‘Make a comment or 'Submit a neighbour comment' from the 'More Details' box. 

After lodging your comment

Review your submission at any time on Development.i. You can amend or revise your submission before the request is decided. 

Changed your mind? You can withdraw your comment up until Council makes its final decision. 

Frequently asked questions  

To write an objection to a development application, you should review the application and identify what aspects of the development you oppose and why.

Focus on planning, environmental and/or transport issues that will have an unreasonable impact on your property and/or local area.

You can view all the documents and plans associated with a development application, as well as other submissions, using Development.i.

Learn more about how to have your say.

Council makes the final decision on a development application. If there’s an appeal against Council’s decision, this is decided by the Planning and Environment Court.

Valid reasons to object to a development application may include inconsistency with the local character of an area or potential car parking and traffic issues that are relevant to the assessment of the proposed development.

Matters that are outside of Council’s assessment or jurisdiction are not relevant but may be raised for consideration.

Find out more on how to have your say on an application.

If you’re not happy with Council’s decision about your development application, you can appeal it in the Planning and Environment Court. 

You can also appeal Council’s decision on a development application if you’ve lodged a properly made submission on a publicly notified impact assessable application or change application.

To lodge an appeal, you’ll need to file a notice of appeal and pay the accompanying fee to the Planning and Environment Court.