Development advice services

Development tools and guidelines - During the initial planning stage of your proposal, you can use our online tools and guidelines to obtain initial advice and make informed decisions.

Chat to a Development Information Officer - Book an appointment to speak with us face-to-face or via phone regarding general information or enquiries.

Pre-purchase meeting - An online meeting that provides planning and development advice before you buy a property. The meeting covers general planning laws, likely site constraints, possible opportunities, and known details about existing approvals and land‑use rights.

Written advice - Written advice about a specific property, or how the planning scheme applies, before you propose a development. The advice covers assessment levels, whether a proposal meets planning rules, existing approvals and land‑use rights, liquor licensing information, and any relevant property notes. It does not provide opinions or certainty about whether a development will be approved.

Sunshine Coast design advice meeting - A pre‑lodgement service for customers seeking early input on a proposed development. It gives guidance on design areas such as urban design, heritage, character, setting, scenic amenity, orientation, and built form. This service helps improve design quality, reduce changes later, and speed up the assessment process. Advice follows the Sunshine Coast Design Principles and the Design Guide for Apartments and Town Houses. Heritage advice is also available for Local Heritage Places and Character Buildings. This service does not apply to standard house design unless the property is heritage listed. 

Pre-lodgement meeting - A one-hour meeting with relevant Council officers to discuss key assessment issues, including proposed performance outcomes, before lodging a development application. 

Personalised case management - Suitable for customers proposing a major or complex development. May involve several meetings and review of technical reports during the pre-application and application stages. 

Assessment of technical reports - (Minor, Standard or Major) Assessment of specialist technical reports outside of the application process. This service determines if the specialist technical report is sufficient for a detailed assessment or meets required conditions of a development approval.

Operational Work pre-design advice meeting - A one-hour meeting for advice on specific performance outcomes for operational work relating to an approved development and prior to submitting a detailed operational work development application. 

In some circumstances, you may wish to change your development approval and Council may need to approve these changes before you can start your project.

Council encourages you to seek advice from Development Services to confirm any change application process and what information you need to provide.

Request changes or extension to a development approval