Express DA

To undertake an Express DA assessment, both the consultant and consultancy must be accredited.

To become accredited, a consultant needs to apply and meet the criteria. This includes demonstrating their competence in lodging complete and comprehensive applications, knowledge of the relevant planning legislation, familiarity with Council’s planning schemes and policies, and a high level of reliability.

The consultant must demonstrate that they have the required level of expertise and experience. Equally, the consultancy must demonstrate that they hold the required insurance, because it is the consultancy that will ultimately take responsibility for rectifying any breaches or mistakes.

If the accreditation application is successful, both the consultant and consultancy will execute the Express DA Accreditation Agreement ( PDF, 1.21 MB ) on Council’s request.

Approved consultants will also be provided with Cairns Regional Council Express DA branding which can be used to identify themselves as an Accredited Consultant / Accredited Consultancy. Accredited Consultants will also be listed on Council’s website, making it easy for customers to find and use the Express DA program.

Refer to the Express DA Accreditation Kit ( PDF, 1.37 MB ) for more detail on the Accreditation application.

Apply for Express DA accreditation

Only Accredited Consultants are authorised to prepare Express DA applications and provide ongoing advice and support throughout the Express DA process.

Below is a list of the current Express DA Accredited Consultants. Development type codes are:

• DO = Dual Occupancy
• DH = Dwelling House
• BW = Building Works
• ACD = Access Crossover & Driveway
• EF = Excavation & Filling

Note: This list was last updated on 1 April 2025. We recommend that you confirm the accreditation status with the consultant.

Express DA application assessment process is a straightforward process as outlined in the steps below. For more information, refer to the Express DA Application Guideline ( PDF, 1.77 MB ).

Step 1: Eligibility Check

Eligible development types for Express DA are:

• Material Change of Use (Dwelling House)
• Material Change of Use (Dual Occupancy)
• Building Works Assessable against the Planning Scheme
• Operational Works (Access Crossover & Driveway)
• Operational Works (Excavation & Filling - 50m³ or under)

Note: For the Express DA process, the above development types are subject to specific eligibility criteria (e.g. the applicability of certain zones and overlays). Applicants must first confirm that the development type meets the eligibility criteria outlined in the Express DA Application Guideline.

Step 2: Pre-submission Check

Council will review eligible applications prior to lodgement to determine if it is lodgement ready. This Pre-submission Check is intended to ensure:

• applicants are on the right track;
• any potential issues are addressed up front;
• the likelihood of an information request is eliminated; and
• applications are decision ready.

Applicants must prepare an Accredited Consultant’s Report ( DOCX, 0.83 MB ) using the standardised template.

The applicant must request a Pre-submission Check in order to commence the Express DA process. The request must be submitted electronically using Express DA Online and must include the required application documentation as outlined in the Express DA Application Guideline.

Pre-submission is mandatory, free of charge and expected to take up to five (5) business days from receipt of a pre-submission request.

Step 3: Lodgement

Once an Accredited Consultant has received a response to their pre-submission request, they can lodge their Express DA electronically via Express DA Online.

Applicants must include the required application documentation outlined in the Express DA Application Guideline.

Step 4: Assessment

Once Council receives a complete application, it will begin assessment of the Express DA. The Assessing Officer will determine the application’s compliance with the CairnsPlan assessment benchmarks.

From this assessment, Council will finalise the assessment and set development conditions.

Step 5: Decision

An applicant can expect a Decision Notice on all Express DA applications within ten (10) business days after a complete application is lodged.

Express DA forms and guidelines

• Express DA Accreditation Kit ( PDF, 1.37 MB )
• Express DA Application Guideline ( PDF, 1.77 MB )
• Express DA Accredited Consultant’s Report template ( DOCX, 0.83 MB )
• Express DA Accreditation Agreement (Deed) example ( PDF, 1.21 MB )
• Express DA Accreditation Renewal / Transfer Application Form ( PDF, 0.22 MB )
• Development Application Form 1
• Development Application Form 2

Council online mapping and resources

• CairnsPlan Property Report
• CairnsPlan 2016 v3.1 Interactive Mapping – (zoning and overlays)
• Utility Services mapping – (building envelopes, location of stormwater, sewer* and water infrastructure)

Relevant legislation

• Planning Act 2016 (Qld) (PA)