File retrievals

If you are looking for plans and documents for a house, multiple dwelling or commercial building, council may have copies. Request a file retrieval for a copy of building, plumbing or development files. Availability of files can depend on the age of the building.

Where available within council records, a file retrieval includes a copy of:

• approval documents and plans
• decision notice, and
• reports.

A file retrieval fee applies per application or permit. For example, separate fees may apply for individual applications such as a house, pool, or shed.
Development files after 1 January 2007 are available at no charge via Development.i.

Council may not have files, which may be due to several reasons (e.g. age of application, incomplete lodgement). The fee for the file retrieval process is non-refundable.

Commercial building files are kept for the life of the building. This includes multi-unit residential approvals.

Refer to plumbing searches for:

• copy of plumbing inspection certificate
• plumbing as-constructed drainage plans 
• plumbing records

Older records

It is highly unlikely that any domestic building and plumbing files pre-1996 are available for retrieval. This includes files for standard dwellings and related class 10 structures.

Note: Other records may not be available.

Requesting a file retrieval

Council offers several ways to retrieve a file.

You can request a file retrieval online through MyCouncil. You will need to register to use this service. Once you have logged in:

1. go to the Applications tile
2. select +Submit a new application
3. go to Certificates and Searches for Property Information
4. select Building, Plumbing and Development File Retrieval.

For help with MyCouncil:

• refer to our MyCouncil FAQs
• read step by step instructions and find out what other search options are available.

Alternatively, you can submit the 'Building, Plumbing and Development Search Application Form (DOCX, 293KB), select 'File Retrieval' and pay the applicable fee by email, in person or by post. Charges for retrieval of file documents, which includes decision notice/permit, approved plans, referenced documents and certificates, is payable once invoiced. Refer to fees and charges. (PDF, 421KB)

Note: allow 15 working days for processing the file retrieval from receipt of file request. This is for both online and in-person options.

Search fees are non-refundable, as it covers the time and resources dedicated to conducting the search, regardless of the outcome. Information provided for building, plumbing and development is subject to availability of Council’s records.

You can contact council's development services for more information.