Local governments throughout Queensland are in the process of reviewing their planning schemes. Currently, Townsville City Council and Western Downs Regional Council have released draft planning schemes for public consultation. Submissions for Townsville Draft City Plan close 25 November 2013 and submissions for Western Downs Regional Council Draft Planning Scheme close 8 January 2014.

On 25 October 2013, Queensland Government released a finalised version of the Queensland Planning Provisions Version 3.0 (QPP). This document, a state planning instrument, provides a standard structure and content (including provisions, definitions and zones) to assist local governments in preparing their planning schemes and to ensure consistency in planning schemes across the state. Although intended as a template, the QPP does make provision for specific local content to be incorporated within individual planning schemes.

This is the first revision of the QPP since Version 2.0 was released on 8 October 2010. A number of changes have been made, and a summary of changes has been developed by the Queensland Government.

If you would like advice on the likely impacts of the Draft Planning Schemes or the new QPP please contact Kelly Alcorn in our Brisbane Property and Projects team.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.