Standard development conditions

The Standard Development Conditions Suite is a collaborative document for use of Cairns Regional Council, industry and the community.

For Council use, the document has been prepared as a user guide to assist with imposing lawful, consistent, and robust conditions of approval on development permits issued under the Planning Act 2016.

The document is intended to cover most forms of development Council routinely approves, setting out key technical and constraint-based conditions Council typically imposes on specific development.

It is important to note that these conditions are standard conditions, and there will be particular circumstances where Officers will be required to depart from Council's standard suite and adopt a first principles planning approach to the drafting process. Officers may also be required to prepare and apply original (non-standard) conditions of approval.

General timing clauses have been included for each condition, where relevant. Timing clauses will vary with particular development types and circumstances. The clauses included are to be referenced as a guide only and varied where necessary. The timing aspect for each condition should be stated clearly, precisely and in certain terms, ensuring that the purpose of the condition is achieved. Council officers should use consistent wording across all approvals for relevant timing requirements.

The Standard Development Conditions Suite is intended to remain a ‘live’ document, with amendments to be reviewed quarterly (or as needed). Any submissions for suggested amendments can be made to TownPlanner@cairns.qld.gov.au.