All development applications must be completed using approved forms.

Development applications can be prepared either electronically or using paper-based forms.

• approved forms for development applications made on or after 18 December 2009 (the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 applies to these applications)
• approved forms for development applications made before 18 December 2009 (the Integrated Planning Act 1997 applies to these applications).

Development applications lodged on or after 18 December 2009 must use the approved forms under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. Development applications lodged prior to 18 December 2009 will continue to be assessed under the Integrated Planning Act 1997.

Read more about the development application process.

The following information may assist in understanding the development application process and some of the categories of development under the Sustainable Planning Act.

Major Projects Office

Major Projects Office (MPO) offers whole-of-government coordination to help streamline the assessment of eligible major commercial, retail and industrial developments. The MPO ensures the smooth, timely delivery of major projects that will benefit the community and help stimulate the construction industry.

Green Door

Green Door is a state government initiative developed to accelerate the development assessment of exemplary sustainable developments in Queensland. Dedicated state government case managers will work directly with applicants of selected Green Door projects to develop well made development applications which will fast track the assessment of the development.

Compliance assessment of developments

New development assessment processes introduced under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 for certain developments that require a compliance permit.

Deemed approvals for development assessment

Deemed approvals is a new provision introduced with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and applies to state and local government assessment managers.

Development application process

For certain types of developments, an application may be needed for a development permit.

Development assessment online

The Smart eDA system is an online service supporting the preparation, lodgement and processing of development applications. Find out how to register, how the system can benefit you in the development application process and view Smart eDA user guidelines.

Prohibited development

Prohibited development is a new category which relates to developments that are not allowed to be applied for or built.

Self-assessable development

A self-assessable development is one which is identified by an assessment manager as not needing a development permit or compliance permit but must still comply with certain requirements.

IDAS templates

There are a number of template forms that relate to the IDAS process under the Sustainable Planning Act (e.g. changing an approval) which have been developed by the department. These are not mandatory.