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 - An online meeting for customers seeking design advice on a proposed development such as character, urban design, setting, scenic amenity, orientation, and built form, including reference to the Sunshine Coast Design Principles. Heritage advice for Local Heritage Places and Character Buildings may also be provided. This service is not for dwelling house design, except where the property is a Local Heritage Place or Character House.

Pre-lodgement meeting - A one-hour meeting with two development planners and a specialist 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. 

Pre-assessment of technical reports - (Minor, Standard or Major) Assessment of specialist technical reports before lodging a development application. Determines if the specialist technical report is sufficient for a detailed assessment, before lodging a development application. 

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. 

Plan sealing pre-assessment service - This service is for preliminary advice or early feedback on plan sealing compliance matters, before lodging plan sealing applications, such as condition compliance, documentation requirements (e.g. legal documents, certifications, bonding agreements, etc) and other matters requiring written confirmation. 

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