Council Pre-lodgement Plans

Understand Your Development Opportunity Before You Lodge

A pre-lodgement meeting is often one of the most valuable steps in the development application process. It gives property owners, developers and consultants the opportunity to discuss a proposal with council before lodging a formal Development Application (DA).

DA Plan prepares professional pre-lodgement plans that clearly communicate your proposed development and support productive discussions with council officers.

Whether you’re considering a dual occupancy, subdivision, townhouse development, childcare centre, commercial project or mixed-use development, pre-lodgement plans can help identify opportunities and potential planning issues early.

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What Are Pre-Lodgement Plans?

Pre-lodgement plans are concept-level drawings prepared before a formal development application is submitted.

These plans provide a visual representation of your proposed development and help council understand your intentions during the early planning stages.

Depending on the project, pre-lodgement plans may include:

Site plans
Concept development layouts
Floor plans
Building elevations
Access and parking requirements
Preliminary design concepts
Development yield investigations

Pre-lodgement plans are designed to facilitate discussion and obtain feedback before significant time and money are invested in detailed design documentation.

Benefits of a Pre-lodgement Meeting

A pre-lodgement meeting can help:

Identify planning constraints early
Understand relevant planning scheme requirements
Obtain preliminary council feedback
Reduce uncertainty before lodging a DA
Improve project feasibility assessments
Assist consultant coordination
Save time and costs later in the approval process

For many developments, early feedback allows project teams to make informed decisions before progressing to formal applications.

What Happens at a Pre-lodgement Meeting?

During a pre-lodgement meeting, council officers review the proposed development and provide preliminary feedback on planning matters that may affect the application.

Topics commonly discussed include:

Applicable planning scheme requirements
Zoning and land use considerations
Building setbacks and site layout
Access and parking requirements
Infrastructure and servicing considerations
Potential assessment pathways
Additional information that may be required with a future DA

While pre-lodgement advice is generally not binding, it can provide valuable guidance and help reduce surprises during the formal assessment process.

Why Choose DA Plan?

At DA Plan, we specialise in preparing plans for development applications and pre-lodgement discussions across South East Queensland. We work with property owners, investors and developers to help identify development potential, clearly communicate project proposals and support early-stage feasibility investigations. Our plans are designed to facilitate productive discussions with councils and consultants, providing the information needed to make informed decisions and progress projects with confidence. By focusing on practical, development-driven solutions, we help streamline the planning process and move projects forward efficiently.

Councils We Commonly Support

We prepare pre-lodgement plans for projects across South East Queensland, including:

Brisbane City Council
City of Moreton Bay
Logan City Council
Ipswich City Council
Sunshine Coast Council
Redland City Council

If you’re planning a project within the City of Moreton Bay, visit our dedicated DA Plans Moreton Bay page to learn more about development applications and pre-lodgement planning requirements specific to the region.

Recent Pre-lodgement Planning Projects

DA Plan has prepared development concept and pre-lodgement plans for a range of projects across South East Queensland, including:

71 Coronation Rd, Hillcrest – Retail extension and townhouse development
37 Clark Road, Morayfield – 57 Lot Subdivision
31 Bahrs Scrub Road, Bahrs Scrub – Childcare Centre and Residential Subdivision

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a pre-lodgement plan before lodging a development application?

Not always, however a clear pre-lodgement plan can help council and consultants understand the proposal early in the process. This often leads to more productive discussions and better-informed development decisions.

Are pre-lodgement plans the same as development application plans?

Not necessarily. Pre-lodgement plans are often concept-level drawings used to facilitate discussions with council. Development application plans may require additional detail depending on the complexity of the project.

Is a pre-lodgement meeting worth it?

For many projects, yes. Pre-lodgement meetings can provide valuable insights into council expectations, planning constraints and potential approval pathways before significant resources are committed.

Who should consider a pre-lodgement meeting?

Pre-lodgement meetings are commonly used by property owners, developers, investors, builders and consultants who are investigating development opportunities or preparing for a future development application.