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Number 204: 7 May 2025
Quarterly Activity Report
This is the latest Quarterly Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area.
The full snapshot can be viewed here.
Number 203: 14 April 2025
Ripley Valley PDA: Project Coordinator and Certifiers to be from Different Entities
In an effort to streamline and improve efficiencies in the delivery of developments within the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA) as outlined in the Ripley Valley PDA Project Improvement Plan, it is now a requirement for the individuals in the roles of the Project Coordinator and Certifiers to be from different entities.
The implementation of this is evidence of council’s commitment to partner with development industry and increase trust in the Project Coordinators and Certifiers. This requirement will provide a separation between these two individuals, remove the potential for conflicts within an organisation and foster better development outcomes. This requirement will also provide accepted individuals with the opportunity to undertake the roles and responsibilities in accordance with the Certification Procedures Manual (CPM) without consequence.
Council will be scheduling a workshop with active Project Coordinators and Certifiers within the PDA in the near future to present in more detail the current practices in the Ripley Valley PDA.
Number 202: 4 April 2025
Update: New Planning Scheme and Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP)
The draft new planning scheme and LGIP are now in the adoption stage of the plan making process having received State Government approval on 14 February 2025, subject to conditions.
Council officers are required to make a number of changes to the draft new planning scheme in order to comply with these conditions before it can be presented to council for consideration and endorsement. At this time, council officers are working towards presenting the final draft of the new planning scheme and LGIP to council at an upcoming council meeting.
Subject to council approval, the new planning scheme and LGIP are planned to commence on 1 July 2025.
You can follow the planning scheme project via https://www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/new-ipswich-planning-scheme.
Number 201: 13 March 2025
New Planning Scheme and Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP)
The draft new planning scheme and LGIP is now in the adoption stage of the plan making process having received State Government approval to proceed to adoption, with conditions on 14 February 2025.
Council officers will now review the ministerial conditions and prepare an updated draft planning scheme for council’s consideration to adopt at a future meeting. A further update will be provided when available.
Number 200: 13 March 2025
Tropical Cyclone Alfred - Extension of Periods Under the Planning Act
Tropical Cyclone Alfred Event (5 - 19 March 2025)
On 4 March 2025, the Planning Minister declared the Tropical Cyclone Alfred event that occurred in South-East Queensland to be an applicable event, which applies to 21 local government areas affected by the event including Ipswich City Council.
Click to view the Applicable Event Notice.
Extension of Periods Under the Planning Act
On 11 March 2025, the Planning Minister made the following extension notice during the Tropical Cyclone Alfred applicable event. The extension notice takes effect on 12 March 2025 and will end on 19 March 2025 when the applicable event ends.
Click to view the Extension Notice.
Under s275R of the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act), the Planning Minister extended by a period of 6 business days for the following:
- the period for the assessment manager to determine whether a development application is a properly made application (known as the confirmation period)
- the period for the referral agency to assess the application and issue a referral agency response (known as the referral agency assessment period)
- the period for the assessment manager to assess and decide a development application (known as the decision period).
Please note: this extension notice does not relate to applications made in the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area or the Springfield Structure Plan Area.
Where applicable, these extended timeframes will be reflected in the Assessment Stages for each application.
Should you have any questions about the revised timeframes relating to your specific application, please contact the responsible officer directly.
For more information regarding Applicable Events, please visit https://www.planning.qld.gov.au/planning-framework/legislation/ministers-powers/applicable-events
Number 199: 5 March 2025
Alert: Cyclone Alfred
Date/s and Forecast Amount
It is anticipated that Ipswich will receive heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to flash flooding as Alfred approaches the coast late on Thursday or early Friday. The current forecast this week from the Bureau of Metrology is as follows:
- Wednesday 5 March 2025 – up to 15mm rainfall, wind gusts exceeding 65 km/h
- Thursday 6 March 2025 – up to 80mm rainfall, wind gusts exceeding 130 km/h
- Friday 7 March 2025 – up to 150mm rainfall, wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h
- Saturday 8 March 2025 – up to 110mm rainfall, wind gusts exceeding 25 km/h
- Sunday 9 March 2025 – up to 35mm rainfall, wind gusts exceeding 25 km/h
Note: Forecasts vary slightly depending on which app or website you are using and are updated regularly as modelling changes.
Weather and Event Information - Tropical Cyclone Alfred | Disaster Management | Queensland Government
Pre-event Actions/ Recommendations
- Ensure a complete site inspection is undertaken and conduct maintenance where required.
- Check all site controls are functional to avoid any damage from high wind and localised flooding.
- Ensure site shade and other materials are anchored / pinned / removed in order to withstand high winds.
- Remove or stored items that are unable to be anchored or could move in strong winds.
- Consider all site erosion control measures are in place to avoid any sediment leaving the site.
- Consider temporary flood/velocity control measures such as sandbags/coir logs/silt socks to protect the site from flooding and wind damage.
- Please ensure all site personnel are aware of potential rain by raising at your prestart/toolbox talk.
Post Event Actions/ Recommendations
- Conduct a full site inspection and with repairs/maintenance to be carried out as necessary immediately after the cyclone.
- Ensure site is controlled after the cyclone to ensure safety of the site workers.
- Site Supervisor/s should be available and contactable at all times.
Number 198: 23 January 2025
Quarterly Activity Report
This is the latest Quarterly Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area.
The full snapshot can be viewed here.
Number 197: 17 January 2025
Rate 3 Streetlighting Improvements
Ipswich City Council (council) have undertaken a review of the processes associated with the assessment and handover of Rate 3 Streetlighting assets. The purpose of the review was to identify areas which could mutually benefit council officers and the development industry. The improvements which were identified will take effect immediately and are outlined below:
Removal of Maintenance Period for Rate 3 Streetlighting
Council will no longer require a 12-month maintenance period once an asset has achieved what was formally known as On Maintenance. Meaning that council will accept maintenance responsibility of the asset once it has reached the requirements of Asset Acceptance. Asset Acceptance will be contingent on the full completion of works (including defects rectification), energisation and an accepted submission of As Constructed Information, certifications, warranties, test results and the Financial Apportionment Form. It should be noted that a maintenance security bond will not be required, however Rate 3 Streetlighting may still be subject to Incomplete Works Bonding.
Condensed Financial Apportionment Form
As mentioned above, one of the requirements of Asset Acceptance is the provision of the Financial Apportionment Form. Council has reviewed the current Financial Apportionment Form and has created a condensed version of the form for Electrical and Streetlighting Works. The updated form can be found at Financial Apportionment Form and Instructions.
Minimum Incomplete Works Bond
Council has also reviewed the Incomplete Works Bonding policy under Planning Scheme Policy 3 – Part 10.1.4 and have considered that the minimum Incomplete Works Bond will be set at $15,000.00. The minimum bond covers the provision of As Constructed Information (As Design As Constructed (ADAC), test certification, warranties, test results and the Financial Apportionment Form) and energisation. It should be noted that Planning Scheme Policy 3 – Part 10.1.4 does not specifically address milestones for Rate 3 Streetlighting works and it is hoped that the minimum bond will provide guidance for applicants looking to bond Rate 3 Streetlighting works incomplete for small to medium sized subdivisions.
Please note that the above relates to Rate 3 Streetlighting infrastructure only and other lighting associated with other development works will be subject to the normal requirements of Planning Scheme Policy 3 – General Works. Furthermore, the Minimum Incomplete Works Bond relates to Operational Works under the Planning Act and council’s Planning Scheme and does not include the Ripley Priority Development Area under the Economic Development Act.
Should you have any enquiries regarding the above, feel free to contact council's Engineering, Health and Environment Branch via email (engineering@ipswich.qld.gov.au)
Number 196: 13 December 2024
New Off-site Stormwater Quality Improvement Policy and Updated Voluntary Payment
Since 2012, Ipswich City Council (council) has operated the Off-site Stormwater Quality Improvement Program (the Program). The Program allows eligible developers to voluntarily pay a fee to council in-lieu of meeting some or all of their stormwater quality improvement responsibilities under the State Planning Policy 2017. Council must use the fees to deliver projects off development sites (i.e., off-site) that achieve an equal or greater stormwater quality outcome relative to what would be achieved by developers meeting responsibilities on development sites.
In late 2022, council undertook a review of the Program to ensure it can meet the responsibilities it inherits from developers participating in the Program in the future. The review identified several issues and recommendations to address them including, but not limited to, the following.
- The preparation of a new Off-site Stormwater Quality Improvement Policy (the Policy) to ensure consistent council decisions aligned to best practice and the achievement of desired economic, environmental, and social outcomes in Ipswich.
- The update of council’s Voluntary Off-site Stormwater Quality Improvement Payment (the Payment) to ensure environmental, financial, and other risks associated with off-site stormwater quality improvement are minimised for council and the Ipswich community.
In December 2024, council resolved to adopt the Policy. Now in effect, the Policy can be found on council's website here. The updated Payment will take effect from 1 July 2025 and be included in the 2025-2026 Register of Fees and Charges. It will include the following changes to the unit and rate used to calculate the Payment:
Payment unit
To ensure consistent assessments of the stormwater quality improvement responsibilities council inherits from developers, and the performance of off-site projects in meeting them, the current unit will change from square metres (m2) of water quality treatment area to kilograms (kg) of Total Nitrogen (TN) per year (kg/TN/year). The change of unit will result in the current rate of $1,121.23/m2 being updated to the equivalent value of $29,506/kgTN/year. Note that this does not represent an increase to the fee rate, and therefore the fees to be paid by developers, only a change in the unit used to measure responsibilities.
Payment rate
To address environmental modelling uncertainties and recover council’s costs for the operation of the Program, including the planning and delivery of projects to meet the responsibilities council inherits from developers, the updated fee rate will increase from $29,605/kgTN/year to $48,532/kgTN/year. This denotes a 64% increase in the fee rate, made up of a 50% increase to address modelling uncertainties and associated environmental and financial risks, and a 14% increase to recover council’s Program and project management costs.
The new Policy and update to the Payment will maintain council’s position as a leader in off-site stormwater quality improvement in Queensland. This has been reflected in historic awards for off-site projects (e.g., Small Creek channel naturalisation) and most recently, the 2024 Award for Excellence in Policy and Education from Stormwater Queensland for the Program’s review.
For further information, please visit council’s Off-site Stormwater Quality Improvement Program website.
Number 195: 29 October 2024
Quarterly Activity Report
This is the latest Quarterly Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area.
The full snapshot can be viewed here.
Number 194: 28 October 2024
New Online Functionality for Private Certifiers
Ipswich City Council is pleased to notify you of a recent enhancement to the Online Lodgements Portal for Private Certifiers, enabling the digital upload of Final Inspection Certificates.
The enhancement brings additional functionality to the Portal, providing Private Certifiers an online option to upload and lodge all of the following documents with council, associated with Building Works applications:
- Form 56 - Notice of Engagement
- Decision Notices BWPC1 and BWPC2 (excluding amended Decision Notices)
- Final Inspection Certificates*
*This new functionality will be available for all new Building Works applications lodged with council after today, Monday 28 October 2024. However, for applications lodged prior to this date, Private Certifiers will need to email the Final Inspection Certificates to council for processing.
This change was implemented to enhance customer experience and add the last piece to the online lodgements process. By enabling the online submission of Final Inspection Certificates, council hopes that your interactions with us are now more efficient, consistent and convenient.
User support information, along with the Online Lodgements Portal link, can be found under the ‘Online Services’ tab at Ipswich.qld.gov.au
If you have questions or concerns relating to the Online Lodgements Portal for Private Certifiers, please contact Ipswich City Council’s Lodgements team during business hours on (07) 3810 6888 or email plandev@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Ipswich City Council appreciates your business and values your past and future feedback.
Number 193: 4 October 2024
Update: Draft Ipswich Plan 2024 (including draft LGIP 2024)
Approval of the draft Ipswich Plan 2024 (including the draft LGIP 2024) was not received from the state government prior to it entering the pre-election caretaker period.
Ipswich City Council will continue to engage with the State Government post-election.
The anticipated adoption and commencement date of Ipswich Plan 2024 (including the LGIP) cannot be confirmed at this stage. A further update will be provided when available.
Thank you for your continued interest in this important project and in shaping the future of our City.
Number 192: 1 August 2024
Annual Activity Report Card
This is the latest Annual Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area during the 2023-2024 financial year.
The report can be viewed here.
Number 191: 1 August 2024
Quarterly Activity Report
This is the latest Quarterly Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area.
The full snapshot can be viewed here.
Number 190: 1 July 2024
Adoption of the Ipswich Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No.1) 2024
Ipswich City Council (council) has adopted the Ipswich Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No.1) 2024, effective on and from 1 July 2024.
The purpose of the Ipswich Adopted Charges Resolution (No.1) 2024 is to:
- replace the Ipswich Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No.1) 2023, including indexation to March 2024;
- state the adopted charges for providing the local government trunk infrastructure networks; and
- state the levied charges to be levied by the local government for development for the demand placed on the local government trunk infrastructure networks.
The Ipswich Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution (No.1) 2024, as well as previous versions, are available on council’s website at Ipswichplanning.com.au/planning-documents/planning-scheme
For further information, please contact council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Department, City Design Branch on (07) 3810 6251.
Number 189: 1 July 2024
Register of Fees and Charges (2024-2025)
Ipswich City Council has adopted a new fee structure for the new financial year which includes changes to the fees applicable for development, operational works, building and plumbing applications, and health and regulatory services fees.
This document can be located here.
Number 188: 20 June 2024
Ripley Valley PDA Application/Lodgement Form Now Available
The new ‘Ripley PDA Application/Lodgement Form’ is now available. This form is for use with lodgement of all applications in the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area and is available from Ipswich City Council’s Ipswich Planning website.
Please note that this is an update and correction to the previously advised link detailed in eAlert 187 dated 14 June 2024.
Number 187: 14 June 2024
New Ripley Valley PDA Application/Lodgement Form
Ipswich City Council (council) officers recently undertook extensive consultation with both internal and external stakeholders (EDQ and the Development Industry) to obtain constructive feedback on experiences and/or challenges that are being faced with developments in the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA). The findings of this consultation have now been analysed, validated and used to inform the creation of a ‘RVPDA Improvement Plan’ (Improvement Plan). It is important to note that the Improvement Plan focuses not only on areas of improvement for council, but also areas that the development industry can improve upon in order for council to facilitate the desired quicker and more efficient development assessment process.
As part of the Improvement Plan, a new ‘Ripley PDA Application/Lodgement Form’ (Form) has been prepared and will be published on council’s Planning and Development website for use with lodgement of all applications in the Ripley Valley PDA. This form will be available for use from Monday 17 June 2024.
The new Form will replace the existing ‘Engineering Certification Form – EDQ’ and is to be used for all applications and/or lodgements in the Ripley Valley PDA, including planning applications through to plan sealing applications. Please note that from Monday 17 June 2024 onwards, the Form and all plans, documents and fees indicated on the Form as 'mandatory supporting information' must be submitted for the application to be accepted. When naming the 'mandatory supporting information' attachments, please name as they appear on the Form e.g. PDA Form – Application for Compliance Assessment, Certification Deed Poll – Project Coordinator, Supporting Plans, Supporting Documents, etc.
Council is hopeful that this new form will contribute towards significant overall improved efficiencies for developments in the Ripley Valley PDA. Once again, as an organisation we are strongly committed to a continued open/honest working relationship with the Development Industry and we trust that the Industry will work collaboratively with council staff moving forward in order to ensure the Ripley Valley PDA Improvement Plan is successful.
Number 186: 6 June 2024
$350 million Incentivising Infill Development Fund opens 10 June 2024
A new $350 million Incentivising Infill Development Fund is about to open, being an initiative of the State government under Homes for Queenslanders to encourage new residential development in well-located areas.
The fund will provide relief from infrastructure charges for market-ready development to unlock more homes for Queenslanders.
To qualify for funding, proposals must demonstrate returns to the Queensland community by facilitating more diverse, more affordable and well-located housing options.
Applications open on 10 June 2024 to landowners, development proponents, and authorised representatives of landowners such as planning consultants and development managers.
Find out more about the process, check eligibility and read the Guidelines.
Please contact the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works IIDFund@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au if you have queries about the fund or application process.
Number 185: 1 May 2024
Quarterly Activity Report
This is the latest Quarterly Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area.
The full snapshot can be viewed here.
Number 184: 18 March 2024
Ipswich Plan 2024: Update
Ipswich City Council (council) is in the process of preparing a new planning scheme, Ipswich Plan 2024, to help plan for the future of our growing city.
The draft Ipswich Plan 2024 was shared with the community from 15 May to 16 July 2023 and the draft Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) from 12 June to 25 July 2023.
The draft Ipswich Plan 2024 received significant interest from the community with 506 submissions received and a further 35 submissions on the draft LGIP.
Council has reviewed the submissions received and has prepared a public consultation report.
If a person or organisation has lodged a submission on the draft Ipswich Plan 2024, draft LGIP or proposed ‘planning change’ (draft Feasible Alternatives Assessment Report (FAAR)) they will soon receive a letter from council directing them to the Submissions Portal where they will be able to access their personal response by using their unique reference number provided in the letter from council.
The draft Ipswich Plan 2024, including supporting mapping, has been amended in response to submissions received. Most of the revisions made are related to clarification improvements, minor updates and minor corrections.
Council has sent the revised plan to the State Government for final review and expects it to come into effect later in 2024, pending State Government and final council approval.
Following State Government and council final approval of the Ipswich Plan 2024, the planning scheme, mapping and associated property report information will be updated online.
Follow the progress of the Ipswich Plan 2024 on the Shape Your Ipswich page and register for project updates.
Number 183: 7 March 2024
Ipswich City Council – Electrical Specifications
Ipswich City Council has released an updated version of the Ipswich City Council Electrical Specifications.
The Electrical Specifications for Parks and Facilities document is available to download.
To obtain a copy, please visit ipswichplanning.com.au/planning-documents/technical-specifications.
Number 182: 30 January 2024
Quarterly Activity Report
This is the latest Quarterly Activity Report which snapshots Development Applications Lodged and Determined, together with information on a variety of Regulatory functions which have occurred in the Ipswich City Council area.
The full snapshot can be viewed here.