MBRC Planning Scheme - Township zone

The Township zone incorporates a range of small to medium urban settlements in rural parts of Moreton Bay including D’Aguilar, Dayboro, Samford, Wamuran and Woodford. A mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses can generally be found within the Township zone.

What is the purpose of this zone?

The purpose of the Township zone is to ensure future development is of a scale and design that is consistent with the township role and function and maintains its unique character.

Planning Scheme example of a zoning map

 Township zone

Township zone precincts

Land in the Township zone is included in one of four precincts. Zone precincts provide greater clarity about the types of development intended in a particular location. The precincts are:

1. Township centre precinct - Places recognised as community, retail and commercial service centres. Uses include shops, service industry, office, short-term and temporary accommodation, community care centre, community use, and dwelling unit and dual occupancy if associated with a community or commercial use.  
2. Township convenience precinct - Places providing convenience, small scale local services, commercial and retailing uses including shops, health care services, offices, service industry and community uses.  
3. Township residential precinct - Residential areas where the existing scale, density and character are maintained and consistent with a country town. Uses include dwelling house, dual occupancy on larger lots or community care centre, residential care, retirement facilities and short-term accommodation where close to a Township centre precinct.  
4. Township industry precinct - Low impact and service industry areas supporting local employment and service providers to the surrounding rural areas. Uses include low impact industry, medium impact industry (in appropriate locations), rural industry, service industry, warehouse, hardware and trade supplies and outdoor sales of agricultural machinery.  

What can I expect to see in this zone?

• Little if any expansion to existing commercial and industry areas.  
• Uses continue to be urban in nature and include residential development, local shopping, commercial, industry and community facilities and tourism uses.  
• The townships will continue to support the rural areas of the region by:
  • supplying services and facilities to residents on rural and rural residential properties  
  • contributing to employment self-containment and economic vitality  
  • providing a hub for community activity  
  • providing diverse housing choices  
  • contributing to the unique character of the region.   
• Development supports economic growth and provides job diversity within a township and surrounding rural areas.   
• Development is of a scale and built form consistent with the current character and identity of the townships.  
• Development avoids areas subject to a physical constraint, limitation, or valuable natural resource.  

More information

Assessment benchmarks (requirements) for development (material change of use) in the Township zone can be found in Part 6, section 6.2.12 Township zone code. Refer to Part 5 of the planning scheme to determine the category of development and assessment (type of application required, if any) for development in the Township zone. Section 5.5.12 Township zone Table of assessment  identifies the category of development and assessment for a material change of use. Assessment benchmarks for reconfiguring a lot in the Township zone can be found in Part 9, section 9.4.1.12 Reconfiguring a lot code, Township zone.