New Applications

This process is for starting a new environmentally relevant activity.

Register as a suitable operator with DES.

Submit your full development application to Council using the approved forms.

You are responsible for ensuring the development application is complete. For more information on the development application process for ERAs, visit the Business Queensland website.

Council will process your application within the legislative timeframe. Council will contact you should additional information be required to process the application.

Council may inspect the premises before making a decision.

When your development application is approved, Council will issue you a planning approval with conditions.

When your environmental authority is approved, Council will issue you a registration certificate allowing you to commence operations.

Council will also issue you with an invoice with an annual environmental authority fee.

You must pay this invoice within 20 business days otherwise a whole new environmental authority application is required.

Taking over an existing approval

This process is for taking over an ERA with an existing planning approval and environmental authority.

You cannot move or transfer an existing planning approval or environmental authority to a new site, however an environmental authority can be transferred to another person/entity at the same location.

You may apply to Council for a search for information on current environmental authority registration/s and the conditions of approval. This process may require written permission from the vendor.

Register as suitable operator with DES.

Submit an environmental authority application to Council using the approved form. You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete.

Council will process your application within the legislative timeframe. Council will contact you should additional information be required to process your application.

Council may inspect the premises before making a decision.

When your environmental authority is approved, Council will issue you a registration certificate allowing you to commence operations.

Making changes

This process is only for making minor amendments to an existing environmental authority (e.g. that do not trigger or require planning approval).

If the nature or scale of the business is changing or you intend to operate additional ERAs on site, you may need to follow the application process for new activities.

Contact Council to discuss any changes to your activity.

Council will process your application within the legislative timeframe. Council will contact you should additional information be required to process the application.

Council may inspect the premises before making a decision.

When your amendment is approved, Council will issue you your planning approval with new conditions and you to commence making the changes.