Same Day Approvals & Duty Officers
To improve the Planning and Development customer experience, it was identified that certain low-risk applications could have their assessment timeframes significantly reduced by designing a streamlined process which utilises eligibility criteria. This has reduced the assessment timeframe from 10 business days to the same business day of lodging.
What are Same Day Approvals?
Council’s Planning and Development Department has a Same Day Approval process for low risk applications. Applications meeting certain criteria will be assessed, decided and a Decision Notice issued to the applicant within the day of lodgement.
Applications that Qualify for Same Day Approvals
The application types which can be processed under the Same Day Approval process are:
- Front Setback Encroachment for Dwellings
- Shade Sails within Front Setback
- Property Site Cover up to 60%
- Eaves of Dwellings/Dual Occupancy within Setbacks
- Secondary Road Frontage Setback
- Side or Rear Boundaries Setback
- Screens, Fences, Walls, and Retaining Walls up to 2.2m High
- Over-height Residential Structures within Side Setbacks
Council is currently investigating further development applications that can be processed through the Same Day Approval process.
Eligibility Checklist
To determine if your development proposal qualifies for the Same Day Approval process, please utilise the eligibility questions contained within the application portal.
Lodging a ‘Properly Made’ Application
For an application to qualify for the Same Day Approval process, the following materials and information are required:
- application required to meet eligibility criteria
- lodged prior to 1pm
- payment of the development application fee prior to 1pm
- completed application form
- plans of the development, with the following as a minimum:
- Site Plan
- Floor Plan
- Elevation Plan.
Please note, applications and relevant payments received after 1pm may be decided on the following business day,
How to Lodge an Application
Same Day Approval applications can be lodged the following methods:
- In person at the SERVE Centre at 103 Walker Street Townsville
- Council's Same Day Approval online application
Fee Payment
For your application to qualify for Same Day Approval, the development application fees are required to be paid prior to 1pm of the day of lodgement. If fees are paid after 1pm, the application will be processed the following business day.
To calculate your application fee, refer to the Planning Services Fees and Charges schedule.
Receiving your Decision Notice
Once your Same Day Approval application has been assessed and a Decision Notice is prepared, you may elect to receive the notice by email, post or collect in person.
If you are seeking to collect your notice in person, please visit our SERVE Centre at 103 Walker Street Townsville between the hours of 4pm and 4:30pm.
About Duty Officers
To enhance Townsville residents’ development capacity, the Planning and Development Department offer in person and phone communication with Council Officers who specialise in the following professions:
- Development planning
- Environmental Planning
- Architectural Design
- Cultural Heritage
- Open Space & Landscaping
- Economic Activation
- Hydraulics (Trade Waste)
- Assets (Field Officer & Inspections).
Duty Officer Hours of Operation
A Council Duty Officer is available to speak to in person and by phone between the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Please note that Duty Officers specialising in Hydraulics (Trade Waste) and Assets (Field Officer & Inspections) are available until 4pm.
Contacting a Duty Officer
To speak one-on-one with a Council Officer, please visit our SERVE Centre at 103 Walker Street Townsville or alternatively call 13 48 10.
Please note that an appointment will be required to speak with Officers of the following professions:
- Environmental Planning
- Architectural Design
- Cultural Heritage
- Open Space & Landscaping
- Economic Activation
- Hydraulics (Trade Waste)
- Assets (Field Officer & Inspections).
Book an Appointment with a Duty Officer
To book a one-on-one session with a Duty Officer, please complete the online meeting request form.
Council Officers will be in contact promptly to schedule a meeting.
