Industry investigation zone in Queensland — what you can build
Land that may become industrial in future but needs more planning first. Until then, the council usually limits what can be built so the land is not tied up before the plan is settled.
In short: Most new uses usually need a development application, with limited scope for housing or subdivision. The table below gives the real answer, council by council.
What the tables of assessment say, council by council
Each council's planning scheme has a table of assessment: for every zone and every kind of project, it says whether you need no application, or a development application and how it is assessed. Each coloured tag links to that council's page for the project. Read from 5 councils.
-
Brisbane
Brisbane City Plan 2014 · Minimum lot size to subdivide 10 ha
-
Central Highlands
Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7)
- Granny flat: Impact
- Dual occupancy: Impact
- Subdivide: Code
- Shed or carport: Accepted if requirements met
- Extension: Accepted if requirements met
- Pool: Accepted
- Fence or wall: Accepted
- Home business: Accepted if requirements met
- Townhouses: Impact
- Shop, café or office: Impact
- Clear trees: Accepted
- Demolish: Accepted if requirements met
-
Gladstone
Gladstone Regional Council Planning Scheme (Version 2.1)
-
Ipswich
Ipswich City Plan 2025
- Granny flat: Impact
- Dual occupancy: Impact
- Subdivide: Code
- Shed or carport: Accepted
- Extension: Accepted if requirements met
- Pool: Accepted
- Fence or wall: Accepted
- Home business: Accepted if requirements met
- Townhouses: Impact
- Shop, café or office: Code
- Clear trees: Accepted if requirements met
- Demolish: Accepted
-
Mackay
Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017
What the tags mean
- Accepted — no planning application needed.
- Accepted if requirements met — no application if your plans meet the council's code requirements; if they do not, it becomes a development application.
- Code — a development application assessed against the planning codes, without public notification.
- Impact — a development application with public notification: neighbours can make submissions and object. How to object to a development application.
- Not allowed — the planning scheme does not allow it in this zone.
“Varies” means the table depends on the details of the project. An overlay such as flood or bushfire can turn an accepted project into a development application — see planning overlays explained.
Common questions
Can I build a granny flat in the industry investigation zone?
It varies by council. Across the 5 councils whose tables of assessment we have read, the most common answer for a granny flat in this zone is a development application with public notification (impact assessment). The split was: 5 impact (each council zone counted once). Check your own council's table on this page, and whether an overlay such as flood or bushfire applies to your lot.
Do I need approval for a dual occupancy in the industry investigation zone?
It varies by council. Across the 5 councils whose tables of assessment we have read, the most common answer for a dual occupancy in this zone is a development application with public notification (impact assessment). The split was: 5 impact (each council zone counted once). Check your own council's table on this page, and whether an overlay such as flood or bushfire applies to your lot.
Can I subdivide land in the industry investigation zone?
It varies by council. Across the 5 councils whose tables of assessment we have read, the most common answer for subdividing in this zone is a development application assessed against the codes (code assessment). The split was: 5 code (each council zone counted once). Check your own council's table on this page, and whether an overlay such as flood or bushfire applies to your lot.
Is your lot in this zone?
A Landbrief site report checks any Queensland address against its zone and every planning layer that applies — $49 as a PDF. Check an address.
Other industry zones
Low impact industryMedium impact industryHigh impact industrySpecial industryIndustryWaterfront and marine industryExtractive industry
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.