MBRC Planning Scheme - Reconfiguring a lot

In accordance with the Planning Act 2016, reconfiguring a lot includes:

• creating lots by subdividing another lot;
• amalgamating two or more lots;
• rearranging boundaries of a lot by registering a plan of subdivision;
• dividing land into parts to allow exclusive access or use (for example, subdivision by lease or community title scheme); and
• creating an easement giving access to a lot from a constructed road.

Reconfiguring a lot is commonly known as subdivision. The planning scheme contains the requirements for reconfiguring a lot.

Do I need Council approval?

Reconfiguring a lot is generally assessable development. This means in order to undertake a reconfiguration, development approval is required from Council.

Section 5.6 Categories of development and assessment - Reconfiguring a lot identifies the categories of development and assessment or type of application required for reconfiguring a lot in each of the zones. This section also identifies the assessment benchmarks (requirements) that an application will be assessed against.

Most requirements are contained in the Reconfiguring a lot code, which is found in Section 9.4.1 of the planning scheme. The code is divided into 12 sections, one for each zone.

Refer to the reconfiguring a lot tables in Section 5.9 for categories of development and assessment where in a local plan area.

Proposals for amalgamating lots do not require council approval. A surveyor can prepare a plan for lodgement directly with the Queensland Titles Registry.

How many lots can I create?

The number of lots a property may be subdivided into depends on a range of factors.

The primary requirements that determine the number of lots are found at the beginning of the criteria for assessable development for the relevant section of the Reconfiguring a lot code under the headings Lot size and design, Site density and/or lot design, and Mix and location. Other requirements throughout the code will also influence the number of lots that may be created, especially the mix of lots types and sizes proposed and values and constraints criteria.

The planning scheme specifies minimum required lot sizes and frontages in some zones, precincts and local plans. Where no minimum lot size or frontage is identified, the planning scheme either does not prescribe minimum areas or dimensions, or the density of the development is used to determine the number of lots potentially created.

Requirements relating to proposed lot dimensions, built to boundary wall, mix of lot sizes and diversity in the streetscape are used to ensure an appropriate design and number of lots is achieved and appropriate housing options are provided in the location.

The densities and lot sizes in the tables below are only one aspect to consider when subdividing land. You can find further information in the Reconfiguring a lot code in Section 9.4.1 or the applicable local plan code.

Planning Scheme Policy - Neighbourhood design(PDF, 8MB) in schedule 6 provides assistance for applying the density provision of the planning scheme and designing a development layout in accordance with the planning scheme requirements.

Minimum and maximum density

The following table summarises the zones, precincts and local plans where the planning scheme uses a measure of density for reconfiguring a lot.

General residential zone

Emerging Community zone

Township zone

Caboolture West local plan

Minimum lot sizes

The following table summarises the zones, precincts and local plans where the planning scheme identifies minimum lot size and frontage requirements for new lots being created. In some instances, the planning scheme may also identify a maximum density for development (lots per hectare).

Centre zone

General residential zone

Industry zone

Rural zone

Rural residential zone

Township zone

Caboolture West local plan

Redcliffe Kippa-Ring local plan

* The minimum lot sizes and frontages listed above are mostly examples (E's). If a reconfiguration proposes alternative lot sizes and frontages, the applicant will need to demonstrate compliance with the corresponding performance outcomes (PO's).

** Use My property look up to find out if your property is identified on Overlay map - Rural residential lot sizes. This map can also be viewed via the Interactive map or in PDF format(PDF, 33MB).

The densities, lot sizes and frontages above are a summary of the requirements and should be used as a preliminary guide only. The final number of lots a property may be subdivided into may vary once all relevant requirements in the applicable codes and planning scheme policies are complied with.

When is subdivision not supported?

The planning scheme does not support the subdivision of land in the following zones, precincts and local plans:

• Limited development zone
• Emerging community zone - Interim precinct
• Emerging community zone - Transition precinct (creating developable lots)
• Caboolture West local plan where no Neighbourhood development plan is approved by Council and included in the Local plan
• Redcliffe Kippa-Ring Local Plan Interim residential precinct

Where a property is already at the minimum lot size or density, the further subdivision of the property may not be supported.

If your property is identified on the Coastal hazard or Flood hazard overlay maps and located within the erosion prone area or a high or medium risk area, additional requirements will apply which may restrict the ability to subdivide the property. Use My property look up to find out if your property is identified on these overlay maps.

Influence of the South East Queensland Regional Plan

The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 (SEQ Regional Plan) is the Queensland Government’s broad land use plan to manage growth and protect the region’s lifestyle and environment. The SEQ Regional Plan allocates all land into one of three regional land use categories: Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area, Urban Footprint or Rural Living Area.

Regional Landscape and Rural Production Areas have environmental, conservation, rural production and other non-urban values. The SEQ Regional Plan protects these lands from encroachment by inappropriate development, particularly urban and rural residential development. Most land in the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Areas is included in the Rural zone in the MBRC Planning Scheme.

Any proposal to subdivide land in the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area into lots less than 100 hectares is prohibited unless the allotment is affected by a road severance. There are some exemptions for boundary re-alignments and lot amalgamations.

More information

To further understand the reconfiguring a lot requirements, contact Council or an appropriately qualified professional. While Council aims to assist you through the process, you may wish to engage a consultant, town planner or surveyor for help with your development project.