Filling and excavation of land
There is more to excavating and filling land than just hiring a backhoe. Undertaking earthworks on a
property is considered Operational Works development. Depending on the excavation depth, amount
and location of fill material, an Operational Works (Earthworks) approval from council may be required.
However, if the proposed excavating or filling is associated with a building application (for houses and/or
domestic sheds), the private building certifier will assess this condition in their building approval, and a
subsequent Operational Works application will not be required.
Operational Works are activities that alter the shape or form of land, i.e. civil works for new subdivision,
filling or excavating, vegetation clearing, landscaping and advertising devices.
All filling, regardless of whether an Operational Works application is required, should take in to account
the possible impacts on adjoining and downstream properties. Even minor earthworks, including fill, may
cause interference to existing stormwater flow paths or flooding and lead to possible civil action.
The quality and cleanliness of fill placed on a property should also be considered. Building waste placed
on land as fill is not acceptable, and should be disposed of in the correct manner, i.e. waste disposal
facility.
Prior to the commencement of any excavation work, you are encouraged to contact Dial Before You Dig
to check the location of services.
Caboolture ShirePlan
Filling or excavating greater than 20m³ of material in the following zones will require a Code Assessable
Operational Works (Earthworks) application to be lodged, and approval from council obtained before
commencing earthworks:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Residential A or Residential B;
District Centre or District Industry;
Local Centre or Local Industry;
Metropolitan Centre;
Open Space;
Regional Industry;
Special Use zones; or
Rural or Rural Residential zone, where filling or excavating greater than 50m³ of material.
Overlays may also trigger the need for an Operational Works (Earthworks) application, particularly if
proposing to fill, excavate or remove material from the overlay area.
Overlays that may apply include:
a) Acid Sulfate Soils;
b) Catchment Protection;
c) Landslide Hazard; and
d) Nature Conservation.
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February 16
PineRiversPlan
Excavating or filling more than 2m above or 2m below natural ground level in any zone will require a
Code Assessable Operational Works (Earthworks) application to be lodged and approved by council
before commencing earthworks.
Despite the abovementioned thresholds for excavating or filling, the acceptable solutions of the Site
Earthworks Code and any other applicable Code will need to be met for all proposals. These
requirements should be investigated prior to the development application for Operational Works being
lodged with council.
Overlays may also trigger the need for an Operational Works (Earthworks) application, particularly if
proposing to excavate or remove material from the overlay area.
Overlays that may apply include:
a) Acid Sulphate Soils;
b) Waterways;
c) Erosion Prone Areas;
d) Biodiversity;
e) Major Flood Events; and
f) Potential Landslide Areas.
Redcliffe City Planning Scheme
Excavating or filling more than 10m³ of material will require the following development application to be
lodged and approved by council before commencing earthworks:
a) a Code Assessable Operational Works (Earthworks) application; or
b) an Impact Assessable Operational Works (Earthworks) application, if located in the Natural
Values Zone.
Overlays may also trigger the need for an Operational Works (Earthworks) application, particularly if
proposing to excavate or remove material from the overlay area.
Overlays that may apply include:
a) Natural Features or Resources Overlay – drainage problem area, area subject to flooding,
Saltwater Creek catchment, and acid sulfate soils risk area.
Please note:
A property search can be undertaken through council’s PD Online facility (available on council’s website
www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au) to determine the property zoning, and any planning scheme overlays that may
apply to the land.
Refer to the ‘Planning terms’ fact sheet and the ‘Using a Planning Scheme’ fact sheet for further information
regarding reading and interpreting a planning scheme (available on council’s website).
The relevant development application fees for Code or Impact Assessable Material Change of Use
development applications can be found on council’s website.
It is important to note that overlays may change the level of assessment for a development proposal. Refer to
the ‘Overlays’ fact sheet on council’s website for more information.
Approvals for building work and plumbing and drainage work may also need to be obtained for a development
proposal.
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February 16