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Levels of assessment

The Planning Act 2016 defines levels of assessment for development. The table below provides an explanation of whether or not approval (via the lodgement of a development application) is required for the different levels of assessment.

Level of Assessment	Council Approval Required
Accepted development	All development other than assessable or prohibited development or identified as such in a planning scheme. No, if the proposed development complies with all of the Acceptable Outcomes from the applicable codes under CairnsPlan 2016. If accepted development does not comply with one or more of the identified Acceptable Outcomes of the applicable code(s), it becomes code assessable.
Assessable Development	Yes, development permit Will be either: Code assessable, requiring a detailed assessment against the applicable codes. This also includes development which is 'accepted development' but does not meet all of the Acceptable Outcomes. Impact assessable, being development which could result in impacts requiring significant assessment (against the entire planning scheme, to the extent relevant), and/or involving land uses which require public notification.
Prohibited Development	No, application/request cannot be made for prohibited development (listed under Schedule 10 of the Planning Regulation 2017).

Level of Assessment

Council Approval Required

Accepted development

All development other than assessable or prohibited development or identified as such in a planning scheme.

No, if the proposed development complies with all of the Acceptable Outcomes from the applicable codes under CairnsPlan 2016.

If accepted development does not comply with one or more of the identified Acceptable Outcomes of the applicable code(s), it becomes code assessable.

Assessable Development

Yes, development permit

Will be either:

Code assessable, requiring a detailed assessment against the applicable codes. This also includes development which is 'accepted development' but does not meet all of the Acceptable Outcomes.
Impact assessable, being development which could result in impacts requiring significant assessment (against the entire planning scheme, to the extent relevant), and/or involving land uses which require public notification.

Prohibited Development

No, application/request cannot be made for prohibited development (listed under Schedule 10 of the Planning Regulation 2017).