Integrated Planning Act

The Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (IPA) forms the foundation of Queensland's planning and development assessment legislation. The purpose of IPA is to balance community well-being, economic development and the protection of the natural environment by providing a framework for managing growth and change within the State.

IPA imposes requirements on State and local government through the Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS). IDAS aims to co-ordinate and integrate the assessment and conditioning powers of government agencies responsible for administering a range of legislation dealing with development approvals.

IDAS incorporates a referral process, established through the Integrated Planning Regulation 1998 (Qld) (IP Reg), enabling relevant state agencies to have input in the assessment process. Under Schedule 2 of the IP Reg, the department has both a concurrence role and an advice role for certain developments that require referral to the department. As a concurrence agency, the department has the power to make an information request, refuse or condition a development application. An advice agency provides advice to the assessment manager (usually a local Government). The assessment manager may or may not accept the advice.

The department is an advice agency for proposed developments that may impact on wetlands, the department Conservation estate and properties that share a common boundary with a place on the Queensland Heritage Register. For more information, see the The department Advice Agency role under IPA/IDAS.

The guidelines listed below have been prepared to assist local governments and applicants to understand the administrative processes and to provide links to legislation.

For more information on the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) and the Integrated Development Assessment System, visit the Department of Local Government and Planning website.

Information sheets

Obtaining a development approval for an Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA)

Summary of key changes in relation to development applications on land that may be affected by contamination

The Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS)

Glossary of Terms

Last updated: 03 April 2009