Development.i

Development.i is Council's application and property enquiry tool.  Development.i provides access to past and current application details and basic property information within the Ipswich City Council Local Government area. It is easy to stay informed about what is happening in your area​, gather information to help prepare applications and make a submission or comment on an application.

For a more detailed interactive mapping tool, navigate to Ipswich City Plan 2025 mapping.

Making Submissions to Development Applications

For information about when an application needs to be publicly notified and how submissions can be made about an application please refer to the Queensland Government's factsheet by clicking on the following links:

Planning Act Submissions:

• https://dilgpprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/guide-to-public-notification-under-the-da-rules-and-the-planning-act.pdf

PDA (Ripley) Submissions:

• https://www.edq.qld.gov.au/our-approach/land-use-planning-and-infrastructure/development-applications-and-assessment/how-to-make-a-submission

To make a submission on a development application undergoing public notification, please see the Development Application Submission Form

Urban Utilities

Urban Utilities are responsible for receiving, assessing, providing advice and approving applications for connections, disconnections and alterations to their water and sewerage networks. As such, customers will need to apply directly to Urban Utilities for water and sewerage connections, disconnections and alterations.

For further information visit https://urbanutilities.com.au/development or contact the Urban Utilities' Development Services Customer Team directly on 3432 2200.

Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA)

The Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA) covers an area of 4,680 hectares and is located approximately five kilometres south east of the Ipswich CBD and south of the Cunningham Highway. The PDA offers opportunities for further residential growth to meet the region's affordable housing needs and will potentially develop into 48,750 dwellings to house a population of 131,000 people.

The Ripley Valley PDA was declared on 8 October 2010 with Ipswich City Council (ICC) being delegated assessment powers and functions on 30 September 2013 from the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ).

How are Development Applications Assessed in the PDA?

Development applications within the Ripley Valley PDA are assessable against the Ripley Valley Development Scheme (RVDS) pursuant to the Economic Development Act 2012, instead of the Ipswich City Plan 2025.  It should be noted that the RVDS may apply a provision of the repealed Ipswich Planning Scheme 2006 and the Ipswich City Plan 2025, however the RVDS prevails to the extent of any inconsistency with the repealed Ipswich Planning Scheme 2006 or the Ipswich City Plan 2025.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has published a long list of guidelines to support the RVDS. These guidelines cover topics such as housing, development and planning. EDQ has also published practice notes that provide advice about applying the standards and requirements expressed in the RVDS and guidelines.  The guidelines and practice notes can be located on EDQ’s website.

In some cases, ICC’s Desired Standards of Service (DSS) and standards are also applicable.  Details on DSS for trunk infrastructure can be located in the Ipswich City Plan 2025. Refer to Ipswich City Plan 2025 Schedule 6 Parts 7, 8 & 9 and Part 10 Appendices 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 & 4 for construction standards applicable to all municipal works. Completed and signed design and construction check lists from Water by Design, including the required documents and high-resolution photographs, are to be submitted with the Post-Construction documentation submission.

The Ripley Valley PDA Development Charges and Offset Plan (DCOP) accompanies the RVDS development scheme. It identifies relevant development charges, how these charges are calculated, levied and administered, and the trunk infrastructure required to service the PDA.

For more information on assessment requirements in the Ripley Valley PDA, including the Ripley Valley Development Scheme, Development Charges and Offset Plan (DCOP) infrastructure planning, EDQ practice notes and guidelines, please visit https://www.edq.qld.gov.au/our-work/priority-development-areas-pda/ripley-valley

Who Assesses Development Applications in the PDA?

ICC, acting as the MEDQ Delegate, holds delegated authority to assess and decide development applications within the Ripley Valley (PDA).  Notwithstanding, some applications are referred to EDQ for consideration of State interests in accordance with EDQ Practice Note 14 – State Interests in development assessment in PDA’s.  EDQ is responsible for assessing State interests, including consultation with relevant State agencies, and for providing ICC with a consolidated response. In the Ripley Valley PDA, the most frequently identified State interest relates to impacts on the State transport network and therefore EDQ often requires input from Department of Transport and Main Roads.

ICC may also engage with other State agencies such as the Department of Education, Queensland Health and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services when proposals potentially affect DCOP infrastructure and are not addressed through EDQ’s State interest assessment.

All identified State interests and agency feedback are incorporated into the MEDQ Delegate’s Information Request and/or Decision Notice.

Application Lodgement and Fees

All Ripley Valley PDA applications are to be lodged with Ipswich City Council at plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au.

Application lodgement for Ripley Valley PDA is generally the same as for development applications under the Planning Act 2016, with the exception that Ripley Valley PDA Application/Lodgement Form and other Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) forms (as relevant) are required.

The assessment fee schedule for Ripley Valley (PDA) applications has been incorporated into Ipswich City Council's Planning and Development fees and charges. For a copy of the fees and charges, please click here.

Context Plans, Infrastructure Master Plans (IMP) and Overarching Site Strategies (OSS)

Context plans are intended to provide a logical and integrated overall land use structure for a ‘neighbourhood area’ that is consistent with the Development Scheme and PDA guidelines/practice notes which will guide future development. They can provide details on intended land uses, density requirements, community infrastructure land requirements, open space requirements, key movement networks, maximum GFA requirements for commercial uses etc.  Context Plans are prepared by applicants and are required to accompany a PDA development application, generally as part of an application for a management lot RAL or early stages for a masterplan subdivision.  Context plan applications supported by technical reports that demonstrate compliance with development and community requirements, facilitate the review and approval process.

As a condition of context plan endorsement or as part of the assessment process, IMPs and OSSs are required.  The intent of these documents is to provide further detail in relation to key infrastructure, environment and community related requirements that will further assist the assessment of future RAL and MCU applications.

It may be necessary to amend an endorsed context plan, IMPs and OSSs where a proposal is inconsistent with the endorsed plans/documents or to reflect current planning requirements (such as updates to the DCOP).  The most recent endorsed versions supersede any previous endorsed plan/document.

Applications and Approvals

Any applications lodged with and/or decided by the MEDQ Delegate are available through Development.i. Applications decided by EDQ (i.e. prior to 30 September 2013) are available through EDQ’s Current applications and approvals website.

PDA Fact Sheets

• Ripley Valley PDA Well Made Applications Fact Sheet

PDA Resources

• Ripley Valley PDA Project Improvement Plan
• Ripley Valley PDA Standard Conditions

Application Lodgement

In order for a development application to be 'properly made' and thereby processed efficiently, it must satisfy the requirements of the Planning Act 2016. Specifically, an application must:

• Be submitted on the relevant development application form (produced by the State), available at Development Assessment Forms - Planning Act 2016
• Be accompanied by:
  • supporting documentation as specified by the applicable form/s
  • the required application fee (note that Ipswich City Council does not issue development application fee quotes/payment invoices)
  • the consent of the owner/s of the premises (individual / company) where required under section 51(2) of the Planning Act.

In addition to the above, submission of the following application lodgement forms (as applicable) will assist with ensuring the accurate lodgement of your application.

• Development Application Lodgement Form
• Naming Request Form (PDF, 352.3 KB)
• Plan of Subdivision Lodgement Form
• Development Conditions Compliance Checklist (DOC, 53.5 KB)
• Legal Document Preparation/Review Form

Development applications may be submitted via email, in person or via mail. To submit an application via email, simply complete the relevant application forms and submit them along with any supporting material to plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au. Please be advised that there are data limitations for email correspondence. For more information, including access to large file transfer services, please contact Ipswich City Council on telephone 3810 6888.

Private Certifier Applications can now be lodged online, via the 'Online Services' tab at ipswich.qld.gov.au. For more information about the Private Certifier Applications, please click here.

Council is utilising a full electronic management system of development application files and where possible intends to issue most communications regarding applications electronically via notifications to the applicants nominated email address. It is important that applicants update Council for any changes to their specified email address or if they do not want to receive correspondence electronically.

One of the many benefits of receiving communications electronically from Council includes reduced delivery time of communications resulting in improved overall decision time frames.

Application Fees

Application fees must be paid in order for an application to be properly made. For a copy of the Planning and Regulatory Services Department fees and charges, please click here.

Application Fees can be paid in person at our customer contact centres, or via EFT. For more information, please contact us.
For other payment options, refer to Planning & Development Fee Payment on council's website.

Fast Track

Ipswich City Council has implemented a fast track development application process providing opportunity for an approval timeframe of up to 5 business days in certain instances.

Qualifying development applications which may fall under the new assessment timeframes include those which:

• are decision ready;
• are properly made applications;
• are code assessable only;
• do not have any statutory referral requirements;
• are not subject to significant development constraints; and
• do not necessitate the request for, or lodgement of, further information.

Minor forms of development include the following:

• access easements;
• boundary realignments;
• dual occupancies;
• multiple residential uses up to ten units;
• dwelling house uses;
• residential reconfigurations up to ten lots;
• building works assessable against the planning scheme;
• operational work for advertising devices;
• extensions to relevant periods; and
• minor change application to a fast track approval,

No special requirements exist for applicants to lodge a potential fast track application. All applications will be accepted using the existing lodgement methods via, electronic lodgement submission, in person lodgements or mailed lodgements. Council will automatically determine whether an application qualifies for fast track assessment upon its receipt.

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate that no state agency referrals are triggered for their application by including the necessary referrals checklists and ensure all relevant information addressing development constraints has been provided.

Development Enquiries and Pre-lodgement Meetings

Enquiries can be administered by telephone or email. They are intended to give you an opportunity to briefly discuss broad development concepts in relation to a particular site with a Council town planner. They are limited in length and should assist in identifying zoning, mapped planning scheme constraints and broad planning intentions for the land as indicated in the planning scheme. The advice you receive over the phone or in an email from the duty officer should not be substituted for independent professional advice or a comprehensive due diligence process.

To supplement enquiries, pre-lodgement meetings are intended to discuss a particular development proposal for a specific site in more detail. The purpose of pre-lodgement meetings is to reduce development assessment timeframes by identifying likely 'information request' items, which can be addressed prior to application lodgement. Pre-lodgement meetings should be held once you have formulated a development proposal which you feel is compliant with the town plan and other relevant legislation.  Development proponents are encouraged to discuss their intentions with Council prior to lodgement, especially for more complex applications.

It should be noted that a number of Council officers from different branches or departments may be required to provide information for the meeting.  To enable Council officers to provide detailed, accurate advice, and to gain the most benefit from a pre-lodgement meeting, the following details are requested to be submitted to Council at least a week before the meeting:

• Proposal details, including proposal plans drawn to scale
• Proposed meeting discussion items/agenda.

Note: Pre-lodgement meetings are offered as a free service by the Development Planning Branch, and as such meeting minutes are not distributed following the pre-lodgement meeting.  However, you are welcome (and encouraged) to take your own meeting minutes.  Again, pre-lodgement meetings should not be substituted for independent professional advice or a comprehensive due diligence process.

We do not offer pre-lodgement meetings for the types of development listed below.  These types of development are treated as general planning and development enquiries, please refer to the FAQs in the first instance or contact us for further information.

• Dwelling houses (including structures like secondary dwellings, sheds, extensions and carports.  Note: Heritage Adviser Service is available for heritage and character related queries)
• Dual occupancies
• Minor Reconfiguring a lot applications (such as boundary realignments, one lot into two lots, one into three lots etc)
• Home-based businesses (for further information refer to this Fact Sheet)
• Advertising Devices (other than Major Entry Community Signage)

To book a pre-lodgement meeting with Ipswich City Council, complete an online request.

Please be advised that the Planning and Regulatory Services Department have electronic facilities available in our meeting rooms with up to date aerial photography and information on services and constraints. These facilities can be useful in presenting and analysing information in respect to development sites and development proposals.