A new version of the Moreton Bay planning scheme commenced on 2 November 2026. Version 9 brings in Major Amendment No. 4 and Minor Amendment No. 4, which Council adopted on 28 October 2026. The two changes most clients will notice are a new planning framework for Morayfield South and wider bushfire construction requirements across […]
Moreton Bay Planning Scheme Version 9: what has changed Read More »
Every week, the team at Steffan Harries reviews new listings across South East Queensland to find sites with genuine development potential: lots that could be subdivided, built on as a dual occupancy, or redeveloped. For each one, we prepare a site-finding report covering zoning, overlays, infrastructure and development opportunities (learn more about that here). Over
Guest post from Bravo Consult, a Brisbane civil engineering consultancy specialising in small lot subdivisions across South East Queensland. We regularly team up with Bravo on subdivision projects, so we asked them to share the engineer’s side of the story. Most people start a subdivision by calling a town planner. That’s the right instinct. The
GUEST POST: 5 Reasons to Engage a Civil Engineer Early in Your Subdivision Read More »
Who Do You Need on Your Development Team — and When? Property development can get complicated quickly. One of the biggest challenges isn’t necessarily finding consultants — it’s knowing who you need, when to bring them in and what questions to ask before committing serious money to a project. This Tuesday night (29th September 2026),
Thinking about demolishing a pre-1947 house in Brisbane? Learn when town planning approval may be needed and what Council checks. If you own or are looking at buying an older house in Brisbane, one of the first planning questions is often: can I demolish it? For houses built in 1946 or earlier, commonly called pre-1947
Thinking About Subdividing? Start With the Right Checks Subdivision opportunities can look great on paper — but not every site that appears suitable will actually stack up once you start looking at planning controls, infrastructure, costs and delivery. That’s why we’re hosting a free 2-part Subdivision Blueprint webinar, designed to help property owners, investors and
Thinking about raising a Queenslander? Learn when Brisbane town planning approval may be needed and why the building core matters. Raising and building under a Queenslander is one of the most common ways Brisbane homeowners create more space while keeping the character and charm of an older home. It can be a great option if
Can I Raise and Build Under a Queenslander in Brisbane? Read More »
If you’re considering splitting your property into two lots, one of the first questions is usually pretty simple: How much is it actually going to cost? Unfortunately, subdivision costs aren’t quite as simple. Two properties that look similar on paper can have significantly different subdivision costs once infrastructure charges, services, civil works and site-specific requirements
How Much Does It Cost to Subdivide One Lot Into Two in Queensland? Read More »
Take a listen here: 54:30min onwards: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/afternoons/107044582 //// What are we talking about? We’ve provided a summary below: Brisbane City Council is progressing some of the most significant changes to its low-medium density residential planning rules in years. AND Council has now agreed to adopt it on the 18th September 2026. I spoke about the
Alex talks LMR amendments in Brisbane with ABC Radio Read More »
Read the full story here. Some extracts from Alex’s comments: Principal town planner at Steffan Harries Planning Alex Steffan said the developments were the modern equivalent of traditional boarding houses. He said they had become an increasingly important source of affordable accommodation as Queensland grappled with its housing shortage. Mr Steffan said Brisbane had long
Alex provides comments to the Courier Mail regarding Rooming accommodation Read More »
