What approvals do you need to build a warehouse in Queensland?
Planning & approvals · Updated · 6 min read
Short answer
Most Queensland warehouse projects need two separate decisions: a development approval under the council's planning scheme (unless the use is accepted development on that lot) and a building approval from a licensed building certifier under the Building Act 1975. Under the Development Assessment Rules council has a 35 business day decision period for code and impact assessable applications, and impact assessment adds public notification of at least 15 business days.
1. Is a development approval needed?
The Planning Act 2016 (s44) sorts development into prohibited, assessable and accepted. Assessable development is either code assessable or impact assessable. The planning scheme for your council area, together with the zone and overlays on your lot, decides which applies to a warehouse, workshop or factory.
- Accepted development: no development application is needed, although requirements in the planning scheme may still apply.
- Code assessable: assessed only against the relevant codes (a 'bounded' assessment).
- Impact assessable: assessed against the whole planning scheme, with public notification.
2. Timeframes
| Stage | Period |
|---|---|
| Council decision period (code and impact) | 35 business days |
| Information request (within the decision period) | Up to 10 business days |
| Decision notice issued after the decision | Within 5 business days |
| Public notification (impact assessment) | At least 15 business days (30 with a variation request) |
Days between 20 December and 5 January are not counted. Referral agencies and responses to information requests add time, so a realistic programme allows for more than the statutory minimum.
3. Building approval
A building approval is a separate decision against the Building Act 1975 and the National Construction Code. It is issued by a licensed building certifier (s48). Business Queensland notes certifiers must be licensed by the QBCC, must not design the building or carry out the work, and must be engaged in writing with the fee stated. The QBCC audits certifiers and investigates complaints.
4. State-assessed areas
Some industrial land is assessed outside council planning schemes. Priority Development Areas such as Greater Flagstone and Yarrabilba in Logan are assessed by Economic Development Queensland, and the Bromelton State Development Area near Beaudesert is assessed under the Coordinator-General's development scheme.
This is general guidance, not legal or planning advice for a specific site. We check the planning scheme and overlays for your lot as the first step of every project.