Demolishing a building in Central Highlands — do you need approval?
Central Highlands Regional Council's planning scheme — the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7) — decides whether demolition needs a development application, and the answer depends on the zone your property is in. Below is what its table of assessment says for each zone; or check your own address.
In a general residential zone
No planning approval needed. Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as heritage) applies, but a building approval for demolition is still needed.
I don't know my zone — choose my council instead
The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.
Zone by zone
Building work (demolition). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| General residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as heritage) applies, but a building approval for demolition is still needed. | Building approval |
| High density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as heritage) applies, but a building approval for demolition is still needed. | Building approval |
| Rural residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as heritage) applies, but a building approval for demolition is still needed. | Building approval |
| Emerging community zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as heritage) applies, but a building approval for demolition is still needed. | Building approval |
| Township zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.6.1 | minor building workIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval |
| Centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless a heritage or other overlay applies, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
| Community facilities zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development unless a heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval |
| Environmental management and conservation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the scheme unless a heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval |
| Industry investigation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.6.1 | minor building work / not otherwise listedIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval |
| Industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.6.1 | minor building work / not otherwise listedIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval |
| Low impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.6.1 | minor building work / not otherwise listedIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless a heritage or other overlay applies, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
| Principal centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless a heritage or other overlay applies, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
| Recreation and open space zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development unless a heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval |
| Rural zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development unless a heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval |
| Special industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.6.1 | minor building work / not otherwise listedIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval |
| Specialised centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.6.1 | Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless a heritage or other overlay applies, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
Overlays that change the answer
- Flood hazard overlay. Within a flood risk category the category of development can change. A dwelling house (incl. secondary dwelling) material change of use / building work in the Balance Flood Risk Category is accepted only where the habitable floor is at least 300mm above natural ground level and no filling is involved; in the Low Risk Flood Category dwelling house / dwelling unit / dual occupancy / home based business is accepted only where habitable floor is at least Defined Flood Event + 300mm and no filling. Building work in Medium/High/Very High flood risk categories becomes code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot in any flood risk category is code assessable. Multiple dwelling (townhouses) in Medium/High/Very High flood risk categories becomes impact assessable. Otherwise code assessable unless accepted conditions met. (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Flood hazard overlay)
- Bushfire hazard overlay. Where within a medium, high, very high or potential impact buffer bushfire hazard area, building work involving a dwelling house, a listed material change of use (accommodation, business, industry, community, recreation activity groups) and reconfiguring a lot must be assessed against the Bushfire hazard overlay code (no change to category but overlay code applies as accepted requirements). (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Bushfire hazard overlay)
- Heritage overlay. Building work not associated with a material change of use that involves alteration, demolition, relocation or removal of a local heritage place becomes code assessable (against Heritage overlay code) where it would otherwise be accepted subject to requirements. A material change of use involving a local heritage place resulting in such building work also becomes code assessable. Applies to premises that are, or adjoin, a local heritage place. (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Heritage overlay)
Worth knowing in Central Highlands
Minimum lot sizes, frontages and rectangular developable areas for each zone are set in Table 8.4.3.3.2 (Minimum lot size and dimensions), which was not reproduced in the supplied material, so numeric minimums could not be captured; the Reconfiguring a lot code (section 8.4.3) and Table 8.2.2 govern subdivision of one lot into two. Under the Regulation, subdivision of one lot into two lots is always code assessable (Schedule 10). The Rural zone contains Gemfields Core, Gemfields Frame and Gemfields Balance precincts which materially change the category of assessment for many uses (e.g. dwelling unit, shop, office, food and drink outlet, community uses) — owners in those precincts should check precinct-specific rows. Building work for a dwelling house and Class 10a outbuildings is generally accepted or accepted subject to requirements across all zones (and fully accepted for Class 10a in the Rural zone outside the Gemfields precincts); a building approval under the Building Act 1975 is still required separately. Development that is accepted does not need a development application. Home-based business is accepted subject to requirements in most zones provided it is not a high impact home-based business activity. Where a use is not listed for a zone the 'all other uses / undefined use' row applies, making it impact assessable. Overlay effects apply only to the part of the premises affected, and the highest applicable category prevails where zone and overlay differ. State Vegetation Management Act clearing controls operate separately from the scheme's operational work provisions.
What else you'll need
- Building approval
More about Central Highlands
- What can you build in Central Highlands? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Central Highlands Regional Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Central Highlands address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Emerald
- Development applications in Blackwater
- Development applications in Capella
- Development applications in Springsure
- Development applications in Mackenzie
- Development applications in Rolleston
- Development applications in Bluff
- Development applications in Comet
Other projects in Central Highlands
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear trees
The statewide position on this project: Demolish in Queensland.
Read from the Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7) tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.