Acid sulfate soils overlay in Queensland — what it means if you want to build
An overlay is an extra layer of planning rules that sits on top of a property's zone.
What it is
Low-lying coastal land, usually below about 5 metres above sea level, where the soil contains sulfide minerals. When it is dug up or the water table drops, the sulfides react with air and make sulfuric acid, which can damage concrete, pollute waterways and kill vegetation.
What it means for you
It matters when you dig or fill: excavating roughly 100 cubic metres or more, or bringing in large volumes of fill, can trigger testing and a management plan. Ordinary houses on existing lots are usually affected only if the work includes deep excavation such as a basement, large pool or new services.
How councils treat it
From the planning scheme tables of assessment of 8 councils: what the overlay changes and which projects it touches. Each tag links to that council's page for the project.
-
Brisbane
Brisbane City Plan 2014
-
Potential and actual acid sulfate soils overlay (Table 5.10.15)
MCU / operational work involving filling or excavation below 20m AHD above stated thresholds becomes code assessable.
-
-
Gold Coast
Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29)
-
Acid sulfate soils overlay (Table 5.10.1 Acid sulfate soils overlay)
On land at/below 20m AHD mapped for acid sulfate soils, large-volume operational work or reconfiguration/MCU disturbing soil at/below 5m AHD that is otherwise accepted becomes code assessable (must meet the Acid sulfate soils overlay code).
-
-
Gladstone
Gladstone Regional Council Planning Scheme (Version 2.1)
-
Acid sulfate soils overlay (Table 5.10.1 Acid sulfate soils overlay code)
On land at or below 20 m AHD, a change of use or subdivision that excavates 100 m³ or more of soil at or below 5 m AHD, or fills 500 m³ or more (average depth 0.5 m or more) on land at or below 5 m AHD, becomes code assessable if it would otherwise be accepted.
-
-
Livingstone
Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018
-
Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay (Table 5.9.1)
Below 20m AHD, building work, reconfiguring a lot, operational work or a material change of use becomes code assessable where it involves excavation of 100m³ or more of soil/sediment, or filling of land below 5m AHD with 500m³ or more of fill at an average depth of 0.5m or more.
-
-
Mackay
Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017
-
Acid sulfate soils overlay (Table 5.10.1)
A material change of use (other than a dwelling house, dual occupancy or home-based business) or a subdivision creating 2 or more extra lots becomes code assessable where at or below 5 m AHD it excavates 100 m³ or more or fills 500 m³ or more (average 0.5 m deep), or between 5 m and 20 m AHD it excavates 100 m³ or more below 5 m AHD.
-
-
Noosa
Noosa Plan 2020
-
Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay (Table 5.9.1 Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay)
Any development in Area 1 involving excavation of 100 m³ or more or filling of 500 m³ or more, or in Area 2 involving excavation of 100 m³ or more at or below 5 m AHD, becomes code assessable against the Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay Code.
-
-
Rockhampton
Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28)
-
Acid sulfate soils overlay (Table 5.9.1)
No change to category, but the Acid sulfate soils overlay code applies to assessable development below 20m AHD involving significant excavation or filling.
-
-
Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (Amendment 27)
-
Acid sulfate soils overlay (Table 5.10.1)
Development otherwise accepted becomes code assessable against the Acid sulfate soils overlay code if in Area 1 it excavates 100 m³ or more or fills 500 m³ or more (average depth 0.5 m or more), or in Area 2 it excavates 100 m³ or more at or below 5 m AHD.
-
Is my property in it?
Search your address in Landbrief's free check: it shows the zone and which planning layers apply to the lot.
Common questions
What is the acid sulfate soils overlay?
Low-lying coastal land, usually below about 5 metres above sea level, where the soil contains sulfide minerals. When it is dug up or the water table drops, the sulfides react with air and make sulfuric acid, which can damage concrete, pollute waterways and kill vegetation.
What does the acid sulfate soils overlay mean if I want to build?
It matters when you dig or fill: excavating roughly 100 cubic metres or more, or bringing in large volumes of fill, can trigger testing and a management plan. Ordinary houses on existing lots are usually affected only if the work includes deep excavation such as a basement, large pool or new services. Of the councils whose tables of assessment we have read, 8 mention it, and each treats it differently — see the table on this page.
How do I find out if my property is in the acid sulfate soils overlay?
Search your address in Landbrief's free check, which shows the state layers that apply to the lot. For the council's own mapping, the planning scheme maps and the council's online property report are the official source. Confirm with the council or a town planner before you buy or build.
Other overlays
Bushfire hazardLandslide hazard and steep landFlood hazardCoastal hazard (storm tide and erosion)Vegetation managementBiodiversity, waterways and wetlandsHeritageNeighbourhood characterAirport environsExtractive resources and miningRegional infrastructure and corridorsWater resource catchmentsAgricultural landScenic amenity and landscape characterTransport noise and corridors
Read from each council's planning scheme 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.