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Extractive resources and mining 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

Land that holds sand, gravel, rock or minerals the state wants kept available, plus the separation area around quarries and mines where noise, dust and truck traffic are expected.

What it means for you

Homes and other sensitive uses inside or near the separation area may need a development application or be refused to avoid future complaints. If you buy next to a quarry, assume trucks, dust and early starts.

A council overlay. A council scheme overlay, based on state-mapped resource areas.

How councils treat it

From the planning scheme tables of assessment of 14 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

  • Bundaberg

    Bundaberg Regional Council Planning Scheme 2015

    • Extractive resources overlay (resource/processing area) (Table 5.9.1 Extractive resources overlay – resource/processing area)

      A change of use that would be accepted or accepted subject to requirements becomes code assessable inside a key resource/processing area — including a dwelling house; only animal husbandry, cropping and a home based business (other than a bed and breakfast or farm stay) are excluded.

    • Extractive resources overlay (separation area) (Table 5.9.1 Extractive resources overlay – separation area)

      A change of use the zone table makes accepted subject to requirements becomes code assessable in a resource separation area, unless it is in an existing building or is a dwelling house, home based business (not a bed and breakfast or farm stay) or most rural uses.

  • Cairns

    CairnsPlan 2016

    • Extractive resources overlay (Tables 5.5.a, b, d, e.1, e.2, h, j, p, s, t.1, t.2 (IF within the Extractive resources overlay rows))

      In a Key resource area's resource / processing area a dwelling house (including a granny flat), dual occupancy, multiple dwelling, home based business or building work becomes impact assessable; in a separation area or transport route separation area building work and a home based business become code assessable (in some zones the tables make any use in the overlay impact assessable).

  • Central Highlands

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

    • Extractive and mineral resources overlay (Table 5.8.1 Overlays — Extractive and mineral resources overlay)

      No change to category, but within a resource/processing, separation or transport route separation area listed material changes of use and reconfiguring a lot must be assessed against the Extractive resources overlay code (dwelling house on an existing lot and home-based business generally exempt).

  • Gold Coast

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

    • Extractive resources overlay (Table 5.10.10 Extractive resources overlay)

      For a sensitive land use (e.g. homes) or reconfiguration within a mapped 'Separation area', '100m Transport route separation area' or 'Resource/Processing area', development becomes impact assessable (a development application that may be publicly notified). A dwelling house is exempted in the 100m transport route separation area, and industrial-zone subdivision is exempted in the separation area.

  • Gladstone

    Gladstone Regional Council Planning Scheme (Version 2.1)

    • Extractive resources and minerals overlay (Table 5.10.1 Extractive resources and minerals overlay code)

      A dwelling house or home based business that would be accepted subject to requirements becomes code assessable.

  • Ipswich

    Ipswich City Plan 2025

  • Livingstone

    Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018

  • Mackay

    Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017

    • Extractive resources and high impact activities overlay (Table 5.10.6)

      On a key resource area (resource/processing or separation area), within 100 m of a key resource area transport route, or in a high impact activity or non-KRA quarry area or buffer, a dual occupancy, multiple dwelling and other sensitive uses, and any reconfiguring a lot, become code assessable.

    • Extractive resources and high impact activities overlay (Table 5.10.6)

      A dwelling house (not a non-habitable outbuilding) becomes code assessable within the Mackay showground high impact activity buffer, or on a property over 5,000 m² within a key resource area, high impact activity area or quarry area or their buffers; non-habitable domestic outbuildings stay accepted.

  • Noosa

    Noosa Plan 2020

    • Extractive Resources Overlay (Table 5.9.5 Extractive Resources Overlay)

      Within the overlay, a change of use other than a dwelling house on an existing lot, home-based business (not bed and breakfast or classes), animal husbandry or cropping becomes code assessable, and reconfiguring a lot is assessed against the Extractive Resources Overlay Code.

  • Rockhampton

    Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28)

    • Extractive resources overlay (Table 5.9.7)

      A dwelling house, dwelling unit, caretaker's accommodation, home-based business or rural workers' accommodation that is accepted or accepted subject to requirements becomes code assessable.

  • Scenic Rim

    Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020

    • Extractive Resources Overlay (OM-05) (5.10 Extractive Resources Overlay Map OM-05)

      Animal husbandry and cropping stay accepted in a Key Resource Area; any other MCU becomes code assessable and reconfiguring a lot is code assessable against the Extractive Resources Overlay Code.

  • Toowoomba

    Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012 (Version 29)

    • Extractive Resources Overlay (Table 5.10:1)

      Within an extractive resource separation area or 100m of a designated haulage route, a dwelling house, dual occupancy or multiple dwelling that would be accepted (or accepted subject to requirements) becomes code assessable against the Extractive Resources Overlay Code.

  • Townsville

    Townsville City Plan

    • Extractive resources overlay (Table 5.9.1 Extractive resources and mining overlay)

      Any change of use other than a dwelling house, home based business, animal husbandry, cropping or associated caretaker's accommodation becomes code assessable against the Extractive resources overlay code (the higher category applies where the zone says impact).

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 extractive resources and mining overlay?

Land that holds sand, gravel, rock or minerals the state wants kept available, plus the separation area around quarries and mines where noise, dust and truck traffic are expected.

What does the extractive resources and mining overlay mean if I want to build?

Homes and other sensitive uses inside or near the separation area may need a development application or be refused to avoid future complaints. If you buy next to a quarry, assume trucks, dust and early starts. Of the councils whose tables of assessment we have read, 14 mention it, and each treats it differently — see the table on this page.

How do I find out if my property is in the extractive resources and mining 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 environsRegional 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.