Demolishing a building in Rockhampton — do you need approval?

Rockhampton Regional Council's planning scheme — the Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28) — 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 low density residential zone

No planning approval needed. Demolition is accepted under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, though a building approval is still needed.

1. Where is the property? (optional — it makes the answer specific)

I don't know my zone — choose my council instead

Council Zone

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
Low density residential zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 (section 5.6)	Demolition is accepted under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, though a building approval is still needed.	Building approval
Low density residential zone — Fitzroy River accommodation precinct	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 (section 5.6)	Demolition is accepted under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, though a building approval is still needed.	Building approval
Low density residential zone — Residential stables precinct	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 (section 5.6)	Demolition is accepted under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, though a building approval is still needed.	Building approval
Low-medium density residential zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 (section 5.6)	Demolition is accepted under the planning scheme unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, though a building approval is still needed.	Building approval
High density residential zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolition is accepted development unless an overlay such as the character or heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Rural residential zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6	Demolishing a building is accepted (no planning approval needed) unless an overlay such as heritage or character applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Township zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Emerging community zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the planning scheme in this zone, so no planning development application is needed (a building approval still is) unless a heritage or character overlay applies.	Building approval
Community facilities zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the planning scheme in this zone, so no planning development application is needed (a building approval still is) unless a heritage or character overlay applies.	Building approval
District centre zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolition is accepted development unless an overlay such as the character or heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Environmental management and conservation zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6	Demolishing a building is accepted (no planning approval needed) unless an overlay such as heritage or character applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
High impact industry zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the scheme in the High impact industry zone, so no planning development application is needed unless an overlay applies, but a demolition/building approval is still required.	Building approval
Limited development (constrained land) zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6	Demolishing a building is accepted (no planning approval needed) unless an overlay such as heritage or character applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Local centre zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolishing a building in the Local centre zone does not need a planning development application unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Low impact industry zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the scheme in the Low impact industry zone, so no planning development application is needed unless an overlay applies, but a demolition/building approval is still required.	Building approval
Major centre zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolition is accepted development unless an overlay such as the character or heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Medium impact industry zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the scheme in the Medium impact industry zone, so no planning development application is needed unless an overlay applies, but a demolition/building approval is still required.	Building approval
Neighbourhood centre zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolishing a building in the Neighbourhood centre zone does not need a planning development application unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Open space zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the scheme in the Open space zone, so no planning development application is needed unless an overlay (such as character or heritage) applies, but a demolition/building approval is still required.	Building approval
Principal centre zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolition is accepted development unless an overlay such as the character or heritage overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Rural zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6	Demolishing a building is accepted (no planning approval needed) unless an overlay such as heritage or character applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Special industry zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the planning scheme in this zone, so no planning development application is needed (a building approval still is) unless a heritage or character overlay applies.	Building approval
Special purpose zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Specialised centre zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolishing a building in the Specialised centre zone does not need a planning development application unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Sport and recreation zone	No planning approval needed Table 5.6 / 5.9	Demolishing a building in the Sport and recreation zone does not need a planning development application unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required.	Building approval
Waterfront and marine industry zone	No planning approval needed 5.6	Demolition is not made assessable by the planning scheme in this zone, so no planning development application is needed (a building approval still is) unless a heritage or character overlay applies.	Building approval

Overlays that change the answer

Character overlay — residential character demolition control area. Partial demolition of the front façade of a dwelling house becomes code assessable; total demolition, relocation on site or relocation offsite becomes impact assessable. (Table 5.9.5)
Character overlay — commercial character demolition control area. Minor partial demolition of a front façade becomes code assessable; total demolition or relocation becomes impact assessable. (Table 5.9.5)
Flood hazard overlay. Building work becomes accepted subject to requirements (must meet the Flood hazard overlay code, including minimum finished floor levels). (Table 5.9.8)
Heritage place overlay — local heritage place. Extensions, a new/separate building on the site, or partial demolition of a local heritage place become code assessable; total demolition or relocation becomes impact assessable. (Table 5.9.9)

Worth knowing in Rockhampton

IMPORTANT: The scheme's building work table (section 5.6) is 'Not applicable' — the scheme does NOT itself make domestic building work (sheds, carports, pools, fences, extensions, demolition) assessable in the base case. Those projects are generally 'accepted' under the planning scheme (no planning development application), but a building approval under the Building Act 1975 is almost always still required and must be obtained separately. Overlays (especially Flood, Character, Heritage) can change this — see overlay_triggers. Granny flats: the QPP 'Dwelling house' definition includes a secondary dwelling, so a granny flat follows the Dwelling house row of each zone; in residential/township/rural/rural residential/emerging community zones a dwelling house is 'accepted' (or 'accepted subject to requirements' in Emerging community and Rural), but in centre, industry, open space, sport & recreation, community facilities, special purpose, limited development and environmental zones a dwelling house is not listed and falls to the 'any other use' row = impact assessable. Minimum lot sizes for subdivision are set in Table 9.3.5.3.2 of the Reconfiguring a lot code, which was not reproduced in the material provided — specific numeric minimums per zone could not be extracted, so min_lot_size_m2 is null for all zones. Known thresholds: Emerging community = 10 hectares for code assessment; Rural = the minimum nominated in the Reconfiguring a lot code. Many zones have precincts and sub-precincts; the scheme states that for a precinct/sub-precinct the relevant (parent) zone categories apply for reconfiguring and operational work, but material-change-of-use tables can differ by precinct (e.g. Low density residential Fitzroy River accommodation precinct allows some small-scale commercial uses). Tree clearing: the scheme only regulates vegetation clearing as operational work via overlays (Biodiversity, etc.); the general operational work table (5.7.1) mainly covers filling/excavation and access/services works — most vegetation clearing is accepted under the scheme but the State Vegetation Management Act 1999 rules are separate and may still apply. Home-based business is 'accepted subject to requirements' in residential, township, rural, rural residential, industry and emerging community zones (meet the relevant zone code) and 'accepted' in centre zones.

What else you'll need

Building approval

More about Rockhampton

Other projects in Rockhampton

Granny flat Dual occupancy Subdivide Shed or carport Extension Pool Fence or wall Home business Townhouses Shop, café or office Clear trees

The statewide position on this project: Demolish in Queensland.

Read from the Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28) 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.