Development Assessment

You may need approval from Council if you plan to:

• Change how land or buildings are used – e.g. starting a new business, reopening a closed use, or expanding an existing use.
• Reconfigure a lot – e.g. subdividing land, realigning boundaries, combining lots, or creating an easement for road access.
• Do operational works – e.g. filling or excavation, installing a sign, clearing vegetation, or works in watercourses/tidal areas.
• Do building work – see our Building page.
• Do plumbing or drainage work – see our Plumbing and Drainage page.

Always check the Cassowary Coast Planning Scheme to confirm if your project is assessable. Some works may not need Council approval under the planning scheme but still require it under the Planning Act (for example, certain vegetation clearing).

Step 1: Pre-lodgement (Optional but Recommended)

• Contact the assessment manager and any referral agencies.

• Identify potential issues or extra information needed before lodging.

Step 2: Lodge Your Application

• Prepare and submit your development application.

• Ensure it meets all criteria so it is “properly made.”

Step 3: Referral (if required)

• Some applications need additional assessment.

• These are sent to referral agencies for consideration.

Step 4: Information Request

• The assessment manager or referral agencies may ask for more information from the applicant.

Step 5: Public Notification (if required)

• The application is advertised for public comment.

• Community members can make submissions to the assessment manager.

Step 6: Decision

• The assessment manager decides whether to:

  • Approve

  • Approve in part

  • Approve with conditions

  • Refuse

Step 7: Appeals

• After the decision, the applicant (or another eligible party) may appeal under the Planning Act.

For detailed information on these steps read the Development Assessment in Queensland

To submit a Development Application to Council you must:

1. Complete DA Form 1 (available from Council or the Queensland Government website).
2. Include all required plans, supporting documents, and pay the required application lodgement fee. 2025-26 Fees and Charges Schedule

To lodge your development application:

• Email: planning@ccrc.qld.gov.au
• Post: PO Box 887, Innisfail QLD 4860
• In person at a Council Customer Service centres

You can also prepare and submit applications online via MyDAS2.

To track your existing application anytime on MyCouncil.

Sometimes Council acts as a referral agency for certain building work applications under the Planning Regulation 2017, including:

• Non-compliance with Queensland Development Code setbacks.
• Non-compliance with Cassowary Coast Planning Scheme provisions for site coverage, setbacks, height, privacy, car parking, or outdoor living.

These applications can be lodged via MyCouncil or using the Referral Agency Assessment Form, with supporting documents and the relevant fee.

If your approval is about to expire, you can apply to extend it under section 86 of the Planning Act.

• Apply before the approval lapses.
• Submit the extension form, required fee, and owner’s consent (if needed).
• Referral agencies do not need to be involved.

Exemption certificates may be issued in limited circumstances and provide property owners with an exemption from lodging a development application.

An exemption certificate can only be given when:

• the impacts of the development are considered minor or insignificant; or
• the development was categorised as assessable due to circumstances that no longer apply; or
• the development was made assessable because of an error.

Exemption certificates are issued only on rare occasions. They do not remove the need to comply with other requirements such as building or plumbing approvals.

Even after development approval, you might still need other permits from Council or State Government before starting work — for example, building approval or environmental permits. See the Required Council Approvals for Development Flowchart for guidance, and contact Council to confirm.

Changes to the Planning Regulation 2017 make it easier for landholders to clear vegetation for firebreaks and fire management lines. See the Firebreaks Factsheet for details.