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. Other steps may only apply in specific circumstances, such as the Notice of application.
EDQ encourages applicants to request pre-lodgement engagement prior to lodging a development application. This is an informal process intended to help applicants with their due diligence, boost confidence in development outcomes, and resolve issues and challenges ahead of lodging a development application, enabling more streamlined approvals.
EDQ’s pre-lodgement services can be tailored, depending on scale and complexity. Pre-lodgement services could be as simple as an email / phone call exchange providing clarification, or a series of meetings or workshops (in person or by Teams), and everything in between. There is no one size fits all.
Whether your project is simple or complex, EDQ’s pre-lodgement services involves working in partnership with applicants to find solutions, unlock opportunities and minimise risk before a development application is lodged.
Generally, the earlier an applicant engages with EDQ to consider a proposal, the more streamlined and productive the overall process is likely to be.
Pre-lodgement engagements also provide opportunities to understand EDQ’s unique self-certification process (explained in the Certification Procedures Manual) and how your project will benefit during infrastructure delivery.
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:
Application assessment will only commence once the applicable fee is paid and all relevant information has been provided.
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.
Notice of a development application is required if:
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.
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.
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:
The process and timeframes for compliance assessment is established through a condition of the approval.
Within 20 business days of lodgement, EDQ assesses the information and:
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:
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.
For more information about the development application process contact pdadevelopmentassessment@edq.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 4 July 2024