Council Services
Planning and Development Services
- Town Planning
- Planning Scheme
- Regulated Infrastructure Charges
- Lodging a new Planning and Development Application
- Recently submitted Planning and Development Applications
- Fees
Town Planning
A Planning Scheme, commonly referred to as the "Town Plan" is a regulatory document that guides and determines changes to the way land, buildings and structures are used within the local government area to which the planning scheme applies.
A Planning Scheme is a statutory instrument under the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 and has the force of law.
In Queensland, a Council's Planning Scheme must be approved by the Minister for Local Government.
A Planning Scheme deals with a variety of issues affecting the region and basically specifies what people can and cannot do. For instance, a Planning Scheme specifies:-
- how land can be used;
- the type, form and density of particular development;
- the location of shops, agricultural pursuits, industrial activities and residential precincts; and,
- regulation on how new development may be effected.
A Planning Scheme affects all residential and property owners who want to change the use of their land or develop their land.
Town planning governs both existing and new development within the region and through the use of "zones and development use codes", ensures resources are best managed to suit the needs and expectations of the community.
Planning Scheme
The local authority region of Charters Towers is presently covered by two (2) separate Planning Schemes.
This is a consequence of the amalgamation of the former Charters Towers City Council and the former Dalrymple Shire Council in March 2008.
The Charters Towers City Council Planning Scheme guides development within the boundaries of the former City area whilst the Dalrymple Shire Council Planning Scheme guides development in the former Dalrymple Shire area.
The Planning Schemes consist of maps that depict zones and overlays throughout the region and a document that refers to specific codes and policies applying to each zone and development use.
These special codes under the Planning Schemes apply to particular uses and developments such as residential developments, industrial developments, business development and subdivisions (now called reconfigurations).
The Schemes also require building work in the region and filling of land in urban areas to comply with certain codes depending on their location. A breach of these codes is effectively a breach of the Planning Scheme and can lead to enforcement action.
When assessing your planning application, Council takes into account local and state policies, Planning Scheme requirements and where applicable, any public submissions and comments from other relevant parties or government agencies.
Town Planning Development Permits are required so that land use and development is fair and orderly, economic, sustainable and aesthetically appealing. It also gives the local community and Council the opportunity to help shape future land use patterns and development.
Council, at its Meeting held 14 April 2010, resolved to prepare one (1) new Planning Scheme for the entire region and as such, a new Planning Scheme is currently in the development phase.
Regulated Infrastructure Charges
Effective 4 October 2011, pursuant to Section 648D of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Council adopted infrastructure charges applicable to particular developments within the area of the former Charters Towers City Planning Area. The adopted infrastructure charges resolution:-
- adopts charges for particular developments that are less than the maximum adopted charge for the development as prescribed by the Sustainable Planning (Housing Affordability and Infrastructure Charges Reform) Amendment Act 2011;
- applies to development being:
- reconfiguring a lot;
- a material change of use of premises;
- carrying out building work; and
- applies to development within the planning scheme area of the former Charters Towers City Council as identified in the Priority Infrastructure Plan for the former Charters Towers City Council planning area adopted 10 August 2011. The Priority Infrastructure Plan is contained within the Charters Towers City Council Planning Scheme Version 2, referenced as Part 9 - Priority Infrastructure Plan.
Lodging a New Planning and Development Application
If you are planning to undertake development works, it will be necessary for you to obtain a Development Permit from Council.
The application forms for planning and development works are available from the Department of Local Government and Planning.
Recently Submitted Planning and Development Applications
Pursuant to S.736 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Council must publish on its website particular information about development applications.
The development applications recently received by Council are listed below:-
Application Number | Date Received | Applicant's Name and Address | Development Type | Address | Assess. Type | Public Notification Required |
| RL13/03 | 8/1/2013 | Rosepink Pty Ltd, 8 Linum Court, Bushland Beach Qld 4814 | Reconfiguration of 2 lots into 3 lots | 32-36 Mill Street, Charters Towers City | Code | No |
| RL13/05 | 11/1/2013 | Shorenorth Developments Pty Ltd, PO Box 605, Maroochydore Qld 4558 | Reconfiguration of 1 lot into 4 lots | 24 Towers Street, Grand Secret | Code | No |
| RL13/12 | 21/1/2013 | LA Palmer and LM Collins, 63 Gill Street, Charters Towers Qld 4820 | Reconfiguration of 1 lot into 3 lots | 2 Marsland Road, Queenton | Code | No |
| RL13/19 | 29/1/2013 | William Joseph Pitt, 1 Hanvin Street, Charters Towers Qld 4820 | Reconfiguration of 1 lot into 3 lots | 24 Felix Street, Grand Secret | Code | No |
| RL13/33 | 15/2/2013 | Scott Geoffrey Jackson, PO Box 640, Charters Towers Qld 4820 | Reconfiguration of 1 lot into 2 lots | 52 Archer Road, Breddan | Code | No |
| MC13/35 | 19/2/2013 | Roy & Wendy Griffiths, | Material Change of Use (Multiple Unit Development) | 43 Miner Street, Charters Towers City | Impact | Yes |
| OW13/38 | 20/2/2013 | Chappell Development Group Pty Ltd, PO Box 1912, Cairns Qld 4870 | Operation Works Application - Landscaping, Stormwater | 40-44 Mosman Street, Charters Towers City | Code | No |
| MC13/56 | 11/3/2013 | Covin NQ Pty Ltd ATF The Kevin Zischke Family Trust, PO Box 279, Charters Towers Qld 4820 | Material Change of Use (Expand Medical Centre to include Existing Buildings) | 87-89 Mosman Street, Charters Towers City | Code | No |
| RL13/59 | 12/3/2013 | TL Panagis, PO Box 7590, East Brisbane Qld 4169 | Reconfiguration of 1 lot into 3 lots | 46 Philipson Road, Millchester | Code | No |
| MC13/75 | 2/4/2013 | Towerblue Superannuation Fund, PO Box 1188, Charters Towers Qld 4820 | Material Change of Use (Remove Heritage Listed House and Erect Commercial Building) | 171-173 Gill Street, Charters Towers City | Impact | Yes |
| RL13/80 | 8/4/2013 | David Owen Alloway, PO Box 1757, Charters Towers Qld 4820 | Reconfiguration of 1 lot into 3 lots | Minivale, Great Britain Road, Southern Cross | Code | No |