Waraba Priority Development Area (PDA)
On 2 August 2024, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Economic Development Queensland declared the Waraba Priority Development Area (PDA). This was done under the Economic Development Act 2012.
The Waraba PDA covers about 2,900 hectares. It borders suburban areas Bellmere, Lilywood and Wagtail Grove to the east, the D’Aguilar Highway to the north, Caboolture River Road to the south and the low hills along Old North Road to the west.
ShapingSEQ 2023, the state's long-term plan, identifies Waraba as a major growth area. Learn more about ShapingSEQ.
The Waraba PDA aims to:
- provide 30,000 diverse homes for about 70,000 people
- boost employment by developing areas for jobs including retail, commercial, industrial and mixed industry activity centres
- deliver civil, civic and community infrastructure and services to support the future community.
Further information about the Waraba PDA can be found on the Queensland Government’s website.
Development assessments
Council handles all development assessments for the Waraba PDA. You should send all forms and correspondence to Council.
Some Unitywater functions are assessed under your development application. You will not need to submit a separate connection application to Unitywater.
When submitting an application, include information relevant to Unitywater such as the:
- land use, which determines the water and sewerage needs of the proposed development
- water and sewerage network for the proposed development, showing it meets the masterplan
- need, location and design of trunk/active assets for the proposed development.
Apply for private work quotes for network construction services and live connections to Unitywater through their Development Portal.
Development scheme
Development assessment in the Waraba PDA is under the Interim Land Use Plan (ILUP). This temporary planning instrument will govern development in the Waraba PDA until the State Government completes a final Waraba PDA Development Scheme.
Pre-lodgement requests
Council manages pre-lodgement advice requests for the Waraba PDA with input from Unitywater and the State Government.
Your request must include mandatory information relevant to Unitywater, such as:
- proposed demand
- staging and connection assumptions
- network and asset designs
- odour and noise impact considerations.
Learn more or request pre-lodgement advice.
Unitywater charges fees for certain pre-lodgement services. Fees will apply to all pre-lodgement services provided for the Waraba PDA.
Development application fees
Development application fees are listed in the Waraba PDA fees and charges schedule(PDF, 214KB). These fees include Unitywater’s assessment and application charges. Assessments are done when you submit a development application with Council.
If a fee is not listed in the schedule, Unitywater or the city’s standard fees will apply.
Development forms