Development assessment prelodgement advice
Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan) has been developed by Brisbane City Council in consultation with the community to
support a simple, fast and clear development assessment process. The plan guides how land in Brisbane can be used
and developed to support economic growth, while protecting our city’s enviable way of life.
Council offers a range of information services to make it easier to understand City Plan requirements when building and
developing in Brisbane. Council’s prelodgement services can save you time and money, by helping to identify potential
issues for a development proposal.
Depending on the complexity of the issues involved, prelodgement advice may be given as a written response or via a
prelodgement meeting. This factsheet provides information about prelodgement meetings, their intended purpose and
how to apply.
What is a prelodgement meeting?
Prelodgement meetings are for customers who:
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want to know more about development assessment issues relating to a particular site
are looking to lodge a development application and want advice on how to handle issues.
By seeking advice in the early stages of planning and design, you can ensure your development application adequately
addresses development assessment issues. This will help to reduce complications and potential delays throughout the
assessment process.
Prelodgement meetings aim to:
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confirm relevant Council development requirements (planning scheme, policy requirements)
identify Council information requirements (such as additional technical studies that may be required)
identify the level of assessment and any approvals required
identify design issues that will need to be addressed as part of a development application
explore possible solutions to those design issues
provide information about the assessment process, including timeframes and what to expect
expedite the assessment process
provide accurate, reliable and consistent advice.
Prelodgement meetings are not intended to:
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provide a detailed assessment of the development proposal
determine the likely outcome of an assessment process.
Prelodgement meetings do not replace the in-depth investigation associated with formally assessing an application and
considering any public submissions. While the advice is given in good faith, it in no way binds a decision made by
Council.
Where are prelodgement meetings held?
Prelodgement meetings are generally held in the Development Assessment Business Lounge, located on the first floor
of the Library and Customer Centre at 266 George Street, Brisbane.
Meetings may also be held via video or telephone conference, saving you travel time and costs. Video and telephone
conferences attract the same fees as a face-to-face meeting.
Prelodgement advice fees
All prelodgement written advice, face-to-face meetings, video or telephone conferences attract a fee. This fee will vary
depending on the complexity of your request and how quickly you need the information. For a breakdown of these fees,
refer to the Development Assessment and Compliance Fees 2014-15 brochure.
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How to get the most out of your meeting
The quality of advice given at a prelodgement meeting depends on the accuracy of the information you provide. It is
important that you research your proposal thoroughly to identify any relevant issues to discuss at the meeting. You may
find it useful to engage the services of a qualified professional to help you identify potential issues.
To ensure a timely response, it is important that the Development Assessment Enquiry Form contains all necessary
information. Council officers will use this information to research and prepare for the meeting.
AdviceSMART – fast-tracked meetings for enquiries before buying a property
Prelodgement meetings generally take place within 10 business days of fee payment. However sometimes you may
need a quicker response.
For this reason Council has introduced AdviceSMART, a fast-track meeting service for customers who are considering
buying a particular property and want to know more about development assessment issues that may affect the site.
In these instances, Council aims to meet with customers within five business days of fee payment. AdviceSMART
meetings are only available for legitimate pre-purchase enquiries and attract an additional fee.
How to request a prelodgement meeting
To request a prelodgement meeting or advice visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au, search for ‘prelodgement’ and follow the
below steps.
1. Complete the Development Assessment Enquiry Form.
2. Ensure all required information is attached, including concept plans and details about any issues to be
discussed.
3. Email the completed form and any supporting information to dalodgement@brisbane.qld.gov.au
4. Make payment (an invoice will be issued once a request is reviewed by Council).
A Council officer will review and determine the most appropriate way to respond to your request, either through a
meeting or written advice.
If a meeting is required, Council will contact you to organise a suitable meeting time within 10 business days of fee
payment. If a written response is considered most appropriate, this will also be issued within 10 business days.
More information
For more information about Council’s prelodgement services, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on (07) 3403
8888. If you are a business customer, you can call Council’s dedicated business hotline on 133 BNE (133 263), 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
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