DA Timeline

The development application process under the Planning Act 2016 follows a defined set of stages — from confirming what you need to lodging, assessment, and the decision. Every DA is different, but the process is the same.

1. Pre-lodgement

Before you lodge: confirm your zone and overlays, check whether your project is code or impact assessable, and prepare your DA documents. A pre-lodgement meeting with council is optional but can surface issues early — most councils offer this service, usually for a fee.

💡 Use your council's online planning scheme and Queensland Globe to check the assessment benchmarks before you start.

2. Lodgement & confirmation

You lodge your DA (DA Form 1 plus all supporting documents) with council as the assessment manager. Council checks the application is properly made — that all mandatory parts of DA Form 1 are complete and the fee is paid. If anything is missing, they will ask you to fix it before the assessment clock starts.

💡 A properly made application is one that includes all the information required by DA Form 1. Lodge a complete application to avoid delays.

3. Information request (if needed)

The assessment manager may issue an information request if they need more detail to assess the DA. This is common — it happens in many applications and is not a refusal. You respond with the additional information, and the assessment continues.

💡 An information request is a normal part of the DA process. It does not mean your application will be refused. Respond thoroughly and promptly.

4. Public notification (impact assessable only)

If your DA is impact assessable, council requires public notification. This means: a notice on the site, written notice to adjoining owners, and potentially a newspaper advertisement. The public can make submissions during the notification period. Submitters who are affected persons have appeal rights to the Planning and Environment Court.

💡 Most residential DAs are code assessable and do not require public notification. Impact assessment is the exception, not the rule — check your planning scheme's tables of assessment.

5. Assessment & decision

The assessment manager assesses your DA against the applicable assessment benchmarks — the planning scheme codes, the State Planning Policy, and any other relevant matters (for impact assessable applications). They issue a decision notice: approval (with or without conditions) or refusal. The decision notice must include reasons.

💡 Conditions are standard — most DAs are approved with conditions. Read them carefully: they run with the land and bind future owners.

6. After the decision

If approved, you can proceed — subject to any conditions on the approval. You will still need building approval from a private certifier for structural work. If refused, or if you dispute a condition, you may appeal to the Planning and Environment Court. The appeal must be lodged within the period set by the Planning Act 2016.

💡 A DA approval is not the same as building approval — they are separate. Your certifier will check compliance with the Building Code of Australia and any DA conditions before issuing building approval.

A council-ready planning report is the key document at lodgement. instantDA generates one from current QLD planning scheme data — the same kind of report a planner charges $800–$1,500 for.

Get your planning report — $169 →

Timelines vary by council and DA complexity. The Planning Act 2016 sets the statutory framework — check with your council for current processing times.