Applying for a Building Permit

It is an offence under the Planning Act to begin building work without obtaining a Building Permit.  Offenders may be liable to legal action.

Our Building Certifiers will assess the application, provide professional advice and carry out the required inspections.

While Council's building section offer a professional service for all your building enquiries and projects within the Burdekin Shire, legislation was changed by the State Government in 1998 to enable independent "private building certifiers" (not employed by Council) to approve building works.

Although Development Application (DA) timeframes under the Planning Act 2016 allow 45 business days for processing, Council endeavours to process applications, if approved, as efficiently as possible.

Once the application has been approved by the certifier you will receive a Development Application Decision Notice. This will list the nominated conditions which apply to your approval.

Fees are set by Council as at 1st July each year. Council building fees are broken up into two costs:-

• A Lodgement fee which covers administration and processing of the application.
• An assessment fee which covers the certifier assessing and approving the documentation and carrying out all relevant inspections with certificates being issued.

Council’s Nominated Conditions which apply to your Approval can be found on the Development Application Decision Notice.  Inspections are carried out when called for by the building contractor/owner builder as per the approved plans and Standard Building Regulation at the time. Inspections do not represent any form of supervision over the builder.

Building inspections can be booked through Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (07) 4783 9800.

The Burdekin Shire Council can issue you with a copy of your house plans provided we have these on file. (Please note fees apply). Should someone else request a copy of your house plans on your behalf, consent is required before releasing these.

The Burdekin Shire Council recommends that youtryfinding the original pegs, or contact the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) to obtain a copy of the original survey plan. However, if this is unsuccessfulyou should contact a private surveyortolocate the exact boundary line.

The act requires certain distances from boundaries when erecting structures. Please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on (07) 4783 9800 to determine if a relaxation to the building line is required.

Unapproved Building Works

If a building or structure on a property has been erected without approval or not in conformity with approved plans and the Standard Building Regulations, a similar situation exists. Relevant approvals must be obtained for unapproved buildings and structures or demolished as required by Part 4 of the Building Act 1975 as amended. Buildings or structures erected contrary to approved plans would be required to be brought into conformity with approved plans

Requisitions

Requisitions and defects are recorded on a parcel of land and remain attached to the specific property until rectified.

On the basis of such information and where action has been instigated, the consequence may include rectification work or demolition of a building or structure. A change of ownership may not affect any of these proceedings and appropriate professional advice should be obtained.

It is a requirement of Council that prior to relocating any house, building or structure, wholly or in part, onto an allotment in the Burdekin Shire that a "Development Permit" be obtained for:- 'Carrying out of Building Work'. Approval will also be required for any plumbing and drainage work carried out as part of the project.