Development approvals
To determine if your development requires assessment by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the following tools may be used.
Self-assessable code for roadworks on scheduled bus routes
The self-assessable code is in Schedule 1 of the Transport Planning and Cordination Regulation 2005 can be accessed free of charge.
The code contains specific road design requirements or refers to standards in the Department of Transport and Main Roads 'Road Planning and Design Manual'. The code details prescriptive standards for:
- indented bus bays
- intersection curves
- lane widths
- mid-block islands
- road and flat-top humps
- road profiles
- road turns and curves
- roundabouts.
Mapping, indicating the roads that the self-assessable code applies to, can be found by accessing the mapping link below. This mapping is not definitive, and it is important to confirm details as follows:
- Within the south east Queensland Regional Plan's 'urban footprint', contact TransLink on +61 7 3338 4218.
- In all other Queensland regions, contact the relevant Department of Transport and Main Roads office.
Scheduled bus routes mapping
Resource entitlements for development on a state-controlled road
Development applications lodged on land which is a state-controlled road will require a resource entitlement from the department prior to lodging the application pursuant to the Sustainable Planning Act s264. In some situations simpler a general authority may be used in the place of a resource entitlement. For more information on this process please refer to the following fact sheet.
Other approvals
In addition to being referred development under Integrated Development Assessment System, Transport and Main Roads also regulates and approves other activities.
Structures works and activities inside a state-controlled road
Transport and Main Roads regulates structures, works and activities that occur inside a state-controlled road to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the road network. These activities are regulated under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and the Transport Infrastructure (State-controlled Roads) Regulation 2006.
If you are carrying out any activities or works within a road corridor, it may be necessary to obtain one or more of the following permits:
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Road Corridor Permit
- Driveway Approval
- Public Infrastructure Approval
- Resource Allocation (required for development approval under Integrated Development Assessment System).
Major projects
Transport and Main Roads also has an assessing function under the following legislation:
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State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971
— The Act provides the Coordinator-General the power to declare a project to be a 'significant project', based on a range of criteria related to the project's size, complexity, significant employment or investment opportunities or potential effects on infrastructure and/or the environment. Once a project is declared significant, an environmental impact statement is usually required to ensure the project's environmental, social and economic impacts are appropriately considered.
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Environmental Protection Act 1994
— The Environmental Protection Act 1994 provides for the environmental regulation of the mining industry and other proposals as required, including the need for an environmental impact statement environmental impact statement and management of this process by the Department of Environment and Resource Management.
As most declared significant and mining projects are likely to have significant impacts on different transport 'modes', the Coordinator-General and Department of Environment and Resource Management usually invite the Department to participate in their environmental impact statement processes. This provides an opportunity for the Department to identify and assess the impacts of a particular project, and where relevant request appropriate impact mitigation measures be put in place.
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Mineral Resources Act 1989
— The holder of a mining tenement (mine operator) who use a SCR for the transport of minerals from a mine over a threshold of 50,000 tonnes per annum are required to notify Transport and Main Roads (refer section 318EO, Mineral Resources Act).
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Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
— Proponents of gas and petroleum projects, who use State-controlled roads are required to notify the department should they:
• perform seismic survey or drilling activity
• transport petroleum produced or processed in the area equal to or greater than 50,000 tonnes per annum (threshold rate s515)
• exceed 50,000 tonnes of haulage per annum to construct a pipeline.
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Similar provisions apply under the Geothermal Exploration Act 2004, and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009.
If you are carrying out any of these activities you will need to contact your local Transport and Main Roads office.
Interests in planning
Transport and Main Roads also manages transport and infrastructure interests through state planning policies, regional planning initiatives, local government planning schemes, priority infrastructure plans, and land-use and transport studies and surveys. Please refer to the relevant planning documents for more information.
Approvals under the Integrated Planning Act 1997
The Sustainable Planning Act 2009 replaced the Integrated Planning Act 1997 on 18 December 2009. According to the transition provisions in SPA any application lodged prior to commencement of Sustainable Planning Act 2009 will continue to be assessed and processed under the provisions of Integrated Planning Act.
Contact details
For more information regarding any of the information listed above or to organise a pre-lodgement meeting, please contact your Transport and Main Roads regional office.
For more information on the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 or the Integrated Planning Act 1997 please contact the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.
