ICC 2024 Planning Scheme Update – How will it affect you?
What is happening?
It’s that time of the decade again, where Councils are updating their planning scheme to reflect the changes in our urban fabric. Ipswich City Council has been undergoing an extensive review and consultation process since it was announced on 15 May 2023. Since then, many different parties have had the ability to offer feedback on any changes Ipswich have proposed to make.
The current Ipswich Planning Scheme has been in effect since 2006 – and consists of hundreds of pages of PDF documents – which has now grown out of date with local expectations within the community.
What changes are being made?
A new planning scheme typically leans into the opportunity for broad changes across the region. In this regard, there are many ways that the planning scheme has been changed. However, on a more specific basis, residential developments have been streamlined throughout the LGA, with most residential uses moving towards being Accepted Development (Subject to Requirements) (ADSR), or Code assessable development applications.
In our review of the new Ipswich Plan 2024, there is a large portion of ‘developable’ sites that will lose their ability to subdivide. This is because of the proposed introduction of maximum density and minimum lot size overlays.
If you own a block in the Ipswich City Council region that is greater than 1000m2, we would HIGHLY recommend you get in touch with one of our town planners to ensure you won’t lose your ability to subdivide.
The issue of subdivable land aside, the new planning scheme does provide for some new opportunities in the region:
- Dual Occupancy – Development of Dual occupancies have now gotten easier, with Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding saying: “The draft Ipswich Plan 2024 supports the faster delivery of more homes through reducing red tape for dual occupancy and secondary dwellings in most residential zones. This is aimed at increasing the housing stock through ‘gentle density’ across Ipswich. (Ipswich City Council, 2025)
- Multiple Dwellings have seen their pathways to approval streamlined, with most applications moving towards being Code assessable and overall – easier.
- Rentable grannyflats – The new scheme will finally align the scheme with the Planning Act 2016 and the Planning Regulation 2017 which means the exemptions for renting your grannyflat will be in effect. That noted, those provisions are set to expire at the end of this year so keep an eye out for any announcements coming out of the Queensland State Government.
Overall, Council’s intention through the release of the new Ipswich Plan 2024 is to increase the number of diverse options in the market to ensure more affordable and accessible housing choices to satisfy the varied needs of Ipswich residents going forward but it could also mean that your site could no longer be developed or subdivided.
How will it affect you?
These changes may not be all good news for everyone, many lots across Ipswich could experience negative shifts in their planning controls, making it advisable to contact our office asap; before the new scheme takes effect. We can tell you how your property specifically will be affected and whether or not you should act now before it does!
The deadline is quick approaching so please get in touch asap by clicking this link.
