Operational Works
Operational work refers to any development and/or landscaping works done within a road reserve. It may be required in connection to a development approval for a material change of use or reconfiguring a lot.
Examples include:
- excavating or filling of land (i.e. earthworks, including changes to ground levels for retaining walls);
- civil works for new subdivisions (i.e. connecting to Council and external infrastructure) and other works associated with a Material Change of Use of premises or Reconfiguring a Lot;
- placing an advertising device on premises; undertaking road works on Council roads; and
- modifying the streetscape.
Operational Works applications
Once a Development Permit (for a Material Change of Use and/or Reconfiguring a Lot) has been received, you may be required to lodge a further application for a Development Permit (Operational Works) under the Planning Act 2016.
It is important to read the conditions of approval carefully. In some instances where works under the approval are internal to the site and can be managed under an associated building approval, no further Operational Works application is required.
Where works are external to the site and impact Council infrastructure or the roadway (including the verge and paths), then a separate Operational Works application must be lodged with Council.
A Development Permit is required for activities that impact Council infrastructure but which are not linked to a Development Permit (for a Material Change of Use and/or Reconfiguring a Lot). Examples include:
- Any proposed modification of the road reserve;
- Filling and/or excavation activities;
- Stormwater/water/sewer connections;
- First driveway (where it does not conform to the FNQROC Development Manual specifications);
- All second driveways;
- Landscaping;
- Vegetation damage (street trees and trees within the property boundary in some circumstances); and
- Illuminated signs.
The planning scheme CairnsPlan 2016 identifies when Operational Works approvals are required and the corresponding category of assessment. Refer to the Far North Queensland Regional Organisations Council (FNQROC) for helpful information and checklists.
Additional crossovers and non-compliant crossovers also require Operational Works approval from Council.
Refer to our Driveways and crossovers page for more information including technical standards.
Note: Operational Works approval may trigger infrastructure charges.
Written approvals from referral agencies and other stakeholders are required prior to lodgement. These can include:
- Department of Transport & Main Roads (DTMR);
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF);
- Department of Environment and Science (DES);
- Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME);
- Ergon Energy;
- Landowner's consent for works in/on land not owned by the Applicant/Developer; and
- Others as necessary.
Properly made application
For works involving engineering elements such as roads, paths, driveways, sewer/water/stormwater and earthworks, a properly made application should include:
- Cover letter
- DA Form 1, obtained from Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP);
- Statement of Compliance for Operational Works Design, obtained from Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC);
- Plans (to scale) in support of the application, including but not limited to:
- Plans illustrating the functional layout;
- Road/stormwater/sewer/water/landscaping works including vegetation protection;
- Removal/excavation/fill earthworks; and
- Erosion and sediment control.
- All supporting information required to assist with the assessment of the development application (such as geotechnical reports, acid sulfate soil reports, engineers' reports, hydraulic reports, arborist reports, traffic management plans/guidance schemes, visual impact assessments, revegetation/remediation plans);
- An assessment against the planning scheme CairnsPlan 2016;
- Payment of relevant application fees. More than one fee may apply for applications that cover multiple application types); and
- Payment of the relevant bond for works on roads.
Your Operational Works application should include all relevant plans and information; it should not have to rely on other applications already submitted or reports yet to be obtained from other sources. All engineering drawings and specifications submitted for approval must be checked, approved and signed by a registered professional engineer.
In cases where the proposed works are to commence years after the initial application was made, some specialist reports (such as geotechnical reports) may no longer be relevant due to potential changes in ground conditions and other environmental factors.
Lodging your application
Applications should be lodged electronically, with accompanying plans be submitted in an unlocked and flattened PDF format. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
For applications lodged electronically or by mail, payment must be made over the counter at Customer Service.
Online | |
In person | Over the counter at Council's main Customer Service Centre |
Post | Cairns Regional Council |
Please contact Council's Planning Approvals team at planningadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au for instructions on how to pay via credit card and lodge the application via email. |
Generally, landscaping within private property boundaries does not need approval unless it involves removal of street trees (for example, to construct a crossover or driveway) or the property is covered by specific planning codes.
If your landscaping proposal is not compliant with any of the assessment criteria for Accepted Development, you will need to lodge an Operational Works Application for Landscaping for Council approval.
Landscaping plans must meet the requirements of the Planning Scheme Policy - Landscaping ( PDF, 1.11 MB ) and the FNQROC Regional Development Manual Landscaping Design Guidelines and Specifications in CairnsPlan2016 v1.2.
A professional landscape architect/landscape designer can help to ensure your landscape plan is acceptable to Council and applications lodged by a professional attract a lower overall application fee.
If the plan is not acceptable, we may require you to make amendments to meet the planning scheme performance outcomes and standards of the FNQROC Development Manual, and this may delay assessment of your proposal. We may request amendments such as incorporating sufficient landscaping area, specifying suitable plant species to the Cairns environment and/or to meet conditions of any related approvals.
Where you engage a professional landscape architect/landscape designer, they are also responsible for:
- undertaking a final inspection
- submitting as-constructed landscaping plans (where required) to Council, and
- ensuring all works have been undertaken in accordance with the approved/endorsed plans and FNQROC Development Manual requirements.
Post-approval process
Our step-by-step guidelines and application forms will help you navigate each step for a quicker turnaround time. These forms include any FNQROC forms as required, all in one place. The guidelines are a step-by-step guide to completing the form as well as an excellent source of information about the element of Post Approval you may be applying for.
All applications will be processed in a two-step approach - initial assessment and technical assessment. This will allow greater transparency and consistency for everyone involved. The two-step process allows our technical officers and inspectors to complete more “on the ground” tasks, faster. This will result in more efficient approvals and certifications across the region.
By submitting a complete and compliant application, you will ensure a quicker turnaround time for your approval and your project.
Operational Works Pre-Start
After Operational Works Approval or Planning Approval has been received and prior to construction works beginning, there are several criteria and steps to be completed.
Works Acceptance
A Works Acceptance is required after construction works have been completed, where Council will be accepting ownership of certain assets at the site, for example drains, roads, sewerage and water infrastructure or greenspaces.
Early Plan Sealing
Early Plan Sealing is an option for some developments to enable an early approval of the Plan of Subdivision, prior to full completion of works required for the development, at Council’s discretion.
Landscape plan endorsement and practical completion
Information on how to receive a Landscape Plan Endorsement, pass a Landscaping Practical Completion Inspection and receive a Landscaping Practical Completion Endorsement.
Final Works Acceptance
Final Works Acceptance Certification is the concluding step in the Post Approval process.
Security bonds
Council charges security bonds (payable in cash, cheque or bank guarantee only) for Operational works:
As Constructed Data Certification
Council has adopted the As Constructed Design Certification (ACDC) online solution for the submission of as-constructed information.
Last Updated: 25 January 2024
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