Landslide hazard and steep 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
A map of steep or unstable slopes where earth movement, rockfall or debris flow is possible, or where the ground is simply steep enough that building and driveways become difficult. The slope threshold varies by council and is often 15 to 25 per cent.
What it means for you
Building, extending or cutting into a mapped slope can need a geotechnical report from an engineer, special footings and drainage, and a development application where it would otherwise be accepted. Subdividing steep land is often refused or limited to fewer lots.
How councils treat it
From the planning scheme tables of assessment of 13 councils: what the overlay changes and which projects it touches. Each tag links to that council's page for the project.
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Brisbane
Brisbane City Plan 2014
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Landslide overlay (Table 5.10.14)
Building work / operational work / MCU involving excavation >1m deep & 3m long, filling >1m high, or >50m³ becomes accepted subject to requirements (if meeting the code) or code assessable. ROL becomes code assessable.
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Cairns
CairnsPlan 2016
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Hillslopes overlay (Table 5.5.l)
A dual occupancy in the Medium density residential zone becomes code assessable.
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Gold Coast
Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29)
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Landslide hazard overlay (Table 5.10.14 Landslide hazard overlay)
On an allotment encumbered by 'Landslide hazard', an otherwise accepted material change of use becomes accepted subject to requirements (Landslide hazard overlay code). Reconfiguration and operational work are not changed but the overlay code still applies.
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Ipswich
Ipswich City Plan 2025
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Difficult Topography and Landslide Overlay (Table 5.9.9)
On land with slope greater than 15%, building work and material change of use are accepted subject to requirements against the overlay code, becoming code assessable if the required outcomes are not met; reconfiguring a lot on such land is code assessable.
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Livingstone
Livingstone Planning Scheme 2018
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Landslide Hazard Overlay (Table 5.9.9)
Within the landslide hazard overlay (where slope not certified under 15%), MCU and reconfiguring a lot become code assessable, and building work involving >50m³ excavation/fill, a retaining wall ≥1m, or vegetation clearing becomes code assessable.
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Logan
Logan Planning Scheme 2015 (version 9.2, with TLPI No. 1/2024)
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Landslide hazard and steep slope area overlay (Table 5.10.8.1 Landslide hazard and steep slope area overlay map OM-08.00)
Filling, excavation and infrastructure work become code assessable in a mapped landslide hazard or steep slope area unless in an approved development envelope or done by the council; house building work is not changed.
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Mackay
Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017
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Landslide hazard overlay (Table 5.10.11)
Within the landslide hazard area a dwelling house or dual occupancy is accepted subject to requirements (Landslide hazard overlay code).
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Landslide hazard overlay (Table 5.10.11)
Within the landslide hazard area other uses (except a home-based business and a few listed uses), any reconfiguring a lot and earthworks over 50 m³ become code assessable.
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Noosa
Noosa Plan 2020
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Landslide Hazard Overlay (Table 5.9.8 Landslide Hazard Overlay)
In a moderate, high or very high landslide hazard area, development other than a dwelling house, community residence, home-based business, Class 10 structure, demolition or work inside an existing building becomes code assessable; earthworks over 50 m³ or vegetation clearing are code assessable against the Landslide Hazard Overlay Code.
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Rockhampton
Rockhampton Region Planning Scheme 2015 (Version 5, 2025-03-28)
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Steep land overlay — slope 25% or greater (Table 5.9.11)
A dwelling house, dwelling unit or dual occupancy that would otherwise be accepted or accepted subject to requirements becomes code assessable (a development application is required against the Steep land overlay code).
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Scenic Rim
Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020
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Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay - Steep Slope (OM-07-A) (5.10 Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay Map - Steep Slope OM-07-A)
Domestic outbuildings stay accepted; a dwelling house, dual occupancy or home based business (not B&B/childcare) in a 15.1-25% slope area becomes Accepted subject to requirements, and any other use becomes code assessable against the Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay Code. Filling/excavation and vegetation clearing above thresholds are code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable.
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Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay - Landslide Hazard Area (OM-07-B) (5.10 Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay Map - Landslide Hazard Area OM-07-B)
Animal husbandry, animal keeping and cropping not involving building work stay accepted; any other use in a Landslide Hazard Area becomes code assessable. Filling/excavation and vegetation clearing above thresholds are code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable.
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Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (Amendment 27)
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Landslide hazard and steep land overlay (Table 5.10.1)
Filling or excavation over 50 m³ (e.g. for retaining) or redirecting water flow, not associated with a change of use or subdivision, that would otherwise be accepted becomes code assessable.
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Toowoomba
Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012 (Version 29)
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Landslide Hazard Overlay (Table 5.10:1)
Accepted subject to requirements and assessable development must also meet the Landslide Hazard Overlay Code's acceptable outcomes (or becomes code assessable).
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Landslide Hazard Overlay (Table 5.7:1)
Excavation or filling for a swimming pool that changes ground level by more than 1m is code assessable against the Works and Services Code.
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Townsville
Townsville City Plan
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Landslide hazard overlay (high and potential debris flow hazard areas or slope over 23 degrees) (Table 5.9.1 Landslide hazard overlay)
A dwelling house (including a granny flat) or dual occupancy becomes code assessable against the Landslide hazard overlay code.
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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 landslide hazard and steep land overlay?
A map of steep or unstable slopes where earth movement, rockfall or debris flow is possible, or where the ground is simply steep enough that building and driveways become difficult. The slope threshold varies by council and is often 15 to 25 per cent.
What does the landslide hazard and steep land overlay mean if I want to build?
Building, extending or cutting into a mapped slope can need a geotechnical report from an engineer, special footings and drainage, and a development application where it would otherwise be accepted. Subdividing steep land is often refused or limited to fewer lots. Of the councils whose tables of assessment we have read, 13 mention it, and each treats it differently — see the table on this page.
How do I find out if my property is in the landslide hazard and steep 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 hazardAcid sulfate soilsFlood 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.