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Agricultural land 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

The best farming land: the state's priority agricultural areas and the council's agricultural land classification, which grades soil quality and water. The aim is to keep productive land from being carved up or built on.

What it means for you

Subdividing, building non-farm uses and splitting a farm often needs a development application, and councils frequently refuse lots under the minimum size. A house on an existing lot is normally still allowed.

State and council maps. The free state lookup checks priority agricultural areas for every Queensland address; councils map their own agricultural land.

How councils treat it

From the planning scheme tables of assessment of 4 councils: what the overlay changes and which projects it touches. Each tag links to that council's page for the project.

  • Central Highlands

    Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7)

    • Agriculture overlay (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Agriculture overlay)

      On agricultural land (irrigated / Class A / Class B) a Renewable energy facility becomes impact assessable; other listed changes of use (nature based tourism, permanent plantation, rural industry) that would otherwise be accepted become code assessable against the Agriculture overlay code. Generally no change for ordinary residential projects.

  • Gold Coast

    Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29)

    • Industry, community infrastructure and agriculture land interface area overlay (Table 5.10.13 Industry, community infrastructure and agriculture land interface area overlay)

      For a sensitive land use (including a dwelling house) or reconfiguration in an 'Industry interface area', development becomes code assessable. In a 'Community infrastructure interface area' a dwelling house becomes accepted subject to requirements, while other sensitive uses/reconfiguration become code assessable. Similar triggers apply in Emerging community zone 'Agriculture land interface area'.

  • Mackay

    Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017

    • Agricultural land overlay (Table 5.10.2)

      On Agricultural land class A or B, a Locally important agricultural area or either buffer, a material change of use (other than a dwelling house, home-based business and other listed rural uses) and any reconfiguring a lot become code assessable against the Agricultural land overlay code.

  • Scenic Rim

    Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020

    • Agricultural Land Overlay (OM-01) (5.10 Agricultural Land Overlay Map OM-01)

      Reconfiguring a lot in Class A/B agricultural land or buffer area is code assessable against the Agricultural Land Overlay Code. Dwelling house, dual occupancy and home based business remain accepted in this overlay.

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 agricultural land overlay?

The best farming land: the state's priority agricultural areas and the council's agricultural land classification, which grades soil quality and water. The aim is to keep productive land from being carved up or built on.

What does the agricultural land overlay mean if I want to build?

Subdividing, building non-farm uses and splitting a farm often needs a development application, and councils frequently refuse lots under the minimum size. A house on an existing lot is normally still allowed. Of the councils whose tables of assessment we have read, 4 mention it, and each treats it differently — see the table on this page.

How do I find out if my property is in the agricultural land overlay?

Search your address in Landbrief's free check, which shows the state layers that apply to the lot and, for councils whose overlays we read directly, the council layers too. 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 landAcid sulfate soilsFlood hazardCoastal hazard (storm tide and erosion)Vegetation managementBiodiversity, waterways and wetlandsHeritageNeighbourhood characterAirport environsExtractive resources and miningRegional infrastructure and corridorsWater resource catchmentsScenic 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.