Brisbane Town Planners
17+ years of planning experience
400+ projects successfully delivered
Whether you are considering a subdivision, planning a new development or trying to understand what may be possible on a property, Elevate can help you find the right way forward.
Our experienced town planners assist property owners, developers, builders, architects and businesses with projects throughout Brisbane and South East Queensland.
Town Planning Advice for Brisbane Property Development
Brisbane’s planning requirements can be complex. Zoning, overlays, neighbourhood plans and development codes can all influence what you can build, whether council approval is required and how an application will be assessed.
Getting the right advice at the beginning can help you avoid unsuitable designs, unexpected costs and unnecessary delays.
Elevate provides practical town planning advice based on the individual property, the proposed development and the relevant requirements of Brisbane City Plan 2014 and Queensland planning legislation.
From an initial site assessment through to lodgement and council negotiations, our team can coordinate the planning process and the specialist consultants your project requires.
Brisbane Town Planning Services
Preliminary Town Planning Advice
Understand the planning requirements affecting your property before committing to a design, purchase or development strategy.
We can review the property’s zoning, overlays, neighbourhood plan provisions and applicable development codes to identify potential opportunities and constraints.
Development Applications
We prepare, coordinate and manage development applications for residential, commercial and mixed-use projects across Brisbane.
Our involvement can include early planning advice, consultant coordination, preparation of the planning assessment, application lodgement and communication with Brisbane City Council throughout the assessment process.
Development Feasibility and Due Diligence
Considering purchasing or developing a property?
Our due diligence and feasibility advice can help you understand what may be possible before you make a significant financial commitment.
We assess the planning framework applying to the site, identify major development considerations and help establish an appropriate planning pathway.
Subdivision and Reconfiguring a Lot
We assist with subdivision proposals, boundary realignments and other Reconfiguring a Lot applications.
Our team can review lot dimensions, access, services, overlays and planning requirements before coordinating the necessary consultants and preparing the development application.
Material Change of Use Applications
A Material Change of Use application may be required when establishing a new use, materially increasing the scale or intensity of an existing use, or re-establishing a use that has been abandoned.
Elevate can assess the proposal, identify the applicable approval pathway and coordinate the application from preparation through to determination.
Change Applications and Extensions
Highest and Best Use Advice
We help property owners and developers identify development options that align the site’s planning potential with its commercial objectives.
Our advice considers the property’s planning controls, physical characteristics, surrounding development and likely approval pathway.
Development and Project Management
Larger applications frequently require input from architects, engineers, surveyors, landscape architects, traffic consultants and other specialists.
Elevate can assemble and coordinate the project team, manage deliverables and keep the development approval process moving.
Understanding Brisbane City Plan
Brisbane City Plan 2014 regulates how land within the Brisbane City Council area can be used and developed.
The requirements applying to a property can depend on several factors, including:
- The property’s zoning
- Relevant overlays
- Applicable neighbourhood plans
- The proposed land use
- Building height and scale
- Site access and car parking
- Flooding and overland flow
- Heritage or traditional building character
- Biodiversity and ecological considerations
- Infrastructure requirements
- The surrounding neighbourhood and existing development
A proposal does not necessarily require a development application simply because it involves building or changing a property. Some development may be accepted, while other proposals may require code or impact assessment.
Our role is to identify the applicable requirements, explain how they affect your proposal and recommend an appropriate strategy.
Brisbane Zoning, Overlays and Neighbourhood Plans
- What development may be supported
- Whether a development application is likely to be required
- The assessment benchmarks that may apply
- Which specialist reports could be needed
- Potential issues that should be addressed during design
- Whether an alternative development strategy should be considered
Why Work With Elevate?
Experienced Planning Leadership
Elevate’s principal town planner and director, Scott Barrett, has more than 13 years of industry experience across local government and private practice.
Before establishing Elevate, Scott spent eight years working within several City of Gold Coast planning departments, including development assessment, strategic planning, planning appeals and development compliance.
This experience provides valuable insight into how councils assess applications, identify planning issues and determine whether a proposal appropriately responds to the relevant planning framework.
Practical, Straightforward Advice
We explain the planning process clearly, identify material risks early and provide advice that helps you make informed decisions.
End-to-End Project Support
Elevate can take your project from an initial planning assessment through design coordination, application preparation, lodgement and council assessment.
Established Consultant Network
We work with architects, building designers, surveyors, engineers and other development professionals to assemble the right team for each project.
Responsive Communication
You will receive clear advice and regular updates, so you understand what is happening and what is required at each stage.
Focused on Development Outcomes
Our advice considers both planning compliance and the wider commercial objectives of the project. We look for practical pathways that help unlock the property’s potential while appropriately responding to planning requirements.
Who We Help
- Homeowners considering a renovation, extension or secondary dwelling
- Property owners investigating subdivision opportunities
- Buyers assessing a property before purchase
- First-time developers who need guidance through the approval process
- Experienced developers managing residential or commercial projects
- Builders and architects requiring town planning input
- Businesses establishing or expanding premises
- Property professionals seeking planning feasibility advice
- Owners responding to council compliance matters
Brisbane Areas We Service
- Brisbane CBD and inner city
- Inner north and northern Brisbane
- Inner south and southern Brisbane
- Eastern Brisbane
- Western Brisbane
- Indooroopilly and surrounding western suburbs
- Toowong and St Lucia
- South Brisbane and West End
- Paddington and surrounding inner-western suburbs
- Chermside and surrounding northern suburbs
- Carindale and surrounding eastern suburbs
- Mount Gravatt and surrounding southern suburbs
We also assist with projects across the wider South East Queensland region.
If your property is outside the Brisbane City Council area, contact our team to confirm whether we can assist.
- Dual occupancies and duplexes
- Multiple dwellings and townhouses
- Apartments and mixed-use developments
- Subdivisions and boundary realignments
- Secondary dwellings
- Dwelling houses and extensions
- Home-based businesses
- Commercial and retail premises
- Industrial developments
- Childcare and community uses
- Indoor sport and recreation facilities
- Short-term accommodation
- Changes to existing development approvals
- Extensions to approval periods
- Development compliance matters
- Site acquisition and development feasibility
Not sure which type of application applies to your project?
We can review your proposal and explain the likely planning pathway in plain language.
Brisbane Town Planning FAQs
We can assess the zoning, overlays, neighbourhood plan provisions and other planning requirements affecting the property.
This allows us to provide preliminary advice about potential development options, likely approval requirements and matters that may need further investigation.
Planning potential should always be considered alongside design, engineering, servicing, access, market and financial factors.
Where available, it is helpful to provide:
- The property address
- A description of the proposed development
- Existing plans, sketches or concepts
- Relevant council correspondence
- Previous development approvals
- Your preferred timing
- Any particular concerns or project objectives
If you do not have all this information yet, you can still contact us for an initial discussion.