Amendment to City of Moreton Bay Planning Scheme – Coming October 2024

A major amendment to the Moreton Bay Council’s planning scheme commences on 30^th October 2024, providing new setbacks for dwelling houses as well substantial changes for secondary dwellings. If you wish to apply under the current planning scheme before the amendment commences, a properly made building application must be submitted to the building certifier prior to this date. Alternatively a person may request that the building be assessed under a superseded Planning scheme request within one year of the amendment taking effect, however it is at the Council’s discretion if they will grant this request.

The changes to the planning scheme that affect design and siting of dwellings include:

1. Some precincts have reduced the minimum side boundary setbacks compared to before;
2. The minimum rear setback is increased to 5m to the wall, or 3m where the longest side boundary is ≤25m;

Where not complying with the minimum setbacks, a Concurrence agency referral application (a “relaxation”) may still be requested.

There are significant changes to the provisions applicable for Secondary Dwellings.

Secondary dwellings will now only be able to be established on lots with minimum dimensions of:

1. In the Suburban neighbourhood precinct or Coastal communities precinct of the General residential zone – a lot size of 600m2 and a primary frontage width of 12.5m;
2. In all other applicable precincts, zones or local plans – a lot size of 450sqm and a primary frontage width of 10m.

The size of the secondary dwelling is also limited to a gross floor area (GFA) of:

1. 45m2, where located on lots between 450m2 and 800m2 in area; or
2. 55m2, where located on lots greater than 800m2 in area.

Gross floor area is defined as the floor area measured around the perimeter of the walls, excluding car parking and outdoor living areas (such as porches and patios).