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Development application process

Development applications made to EDQ generally go through a six step development application process.

Some steps include actions and processes required by the Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act). Some may be optional or recommended, such as pre-lodgement discussions. And other steps may only apply in specific circumstances, such as the Notice of application.

1. Pre-lodgement discussions (optional)

EDQ encourages applicants to organise pre-lodgement discussions about conceptual and detailed design proposals. This is an informal process that allows developers and the EDQ Development Assessment Team to work together.

Generally, the earlier an applicant meets with us to discuss a proposal, the more streamlined  and productive the process.

A pre-lodgement meeting also provides the opportunity to discuss whether EDQ’s certification process (explained in the Certification Procedures Manual) can be applied to the development proposal.

Download pre-lodgement meeting form (Word icon 269 KB)

2. Lodgement

Before lodging a development application, the applicant needs to:

An application can be lodged with EDQ via:

Following lodgement, EDQ will contact the applicant to confirm:

  1. the applicable assessment fee for the application
  2. all relevant information has been provided.

Application assessment will only commence once the applicable fee is paid and all relevant information has been provided.

3. Assessment

All PDA development applications are assessed against the development scheme for the PDA, unless an Interim Land Use Plan (ILUP) is in place. A development scheme or ILUP may cite other standards and documents, including EDQ guidelines and practice notes.

During the assessment process, EDQ may seek advice from independent technical specialists, request additional information from the applicant and, in some instances, obtain local community feedback through notice of the application.

4. Notice of application (if required)

Notice of a development application is required if:

  1. the relevant development scheme for the PDA requires public notice of the development
  2. the relevant development is a PDA-associated development and is a PDA assessable development, or
  3. within 20 business days of the application being properly made – the MEDQ advises that notice of the application is required.

The Economic Development Regulation 2013 sets out the way the Notice of application must be undertaken.

The Notice of application is undertaken by the applicant and must invite submissions during the submission period. The submission period must be at least 20 business days.

5. Decision

Under the ED Act, there is a 40-business day statutory timeframe, during which the MEDQ Delegate must decide a development application. However, extended timeframes may apply where additional information has been requested from the applicant or the applicant has agreed to a longer period.

If a Notice of application is required, an application cannot be decided until the notice requirements have been complied with.

6. Compliance assessment (if applicable)

Compliance assessment is the process of endorsing documents (plans, works, reports, strategies), as required by a condition of approval.

The endorsement is required prior to any works commencing and may be repeated where a different design or solution to that already endorsed is sought.

Where compliance assessment is required the applicant must:

  1. pay the relevant fee (including any third party peer review costs which will be charged on a 100% cost recovery basis) View development assessment fees and charges (PDF icon 234 KB).
  2. complete the application for compliance assessment form (Word icon 271 MB)
  3. submit the information as required by the relevant condition of approval.

The process and timeframes for compliance assessment is established through a condition of the approval.

Process and timeframes

Within 20 business days of lodgement, EDQ assesses the information and:

  • endorses the information as satisfying the condition of approval, or
  • notifies the applicant that the information does not satisfy the condition.

Within 20 business days of the date of the notification, revised information is to be submitted.

Within a further 20 business days, EDQ assesses the revised information and:

  • endorses the information as satisfying the condition of approval, or
  • notifies the applicant that the information does not satisfy the condition.

The condition of approval is determined to have been met only when EDQ endorses the relevant information. However, if either party is not satisfied with the processes or the outcome, that party can elect to enter into a mediation process with an independent mediator agreed to by both parties.

More information

For more information about the development application process contact pdadevelopmentassessment@dsdmip.qld.gov.au

Last updated: 09 Nov 2021