Property searches (land record, building, zoning, sewer etc)
Buying a property or land is often one of the largest investments you make.
There are a number of Council searches available in the Cairns Regional Council area which may assist prospective land and property owners.
Council's CairnsPlan 2016 Property Report tool is an easy and convenient way to access planning scheme information that relates to a specific property. It includes:
- general property information;
- a summary of the applicable planning scheme zones, local plans and overlays;
- maps showing the applicable planning scheme mapping layers; and
- links to relevant sections of the planning scheme and other relevant websites.
The report is device responsive and can be viewed on a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone.
You can take a tour of the Property Report tool using the help button. Use the PDF button to print, share or save your property report.
The information provided in this report is made available for general reference purposes only and does not replace the need to obtain a Planning and Development Certificate or the need to seek professional legal or town planning advice in relation to the existing or intended use of the property.
If you are undertaking conveyancing, development or building certification, it is recommended that you conduct the necessary Council Land Record Searches. These may include (but are not limited to) building information searches, planning and development certificates and flood information searches.
To arrange a search, either complete the online Land Record Search application form (in our Online Self Service site) OR the printable Land Record Search application form ( PDF, 0.17 MB ) and pay the relevant fee/s.
On the application form, you can request searches for:
- Rates
- Water meter reading
- Plumbing and trade waste - including sewer mains plans
- Planning & development (town planning) certificates
- Building - including swimming pool compliance, permit search and building notices search
- Flood zone
- Health - including food business, accommodation facility and sale search (requires authorisation for release of information ( PDF, 0.21 MB ) by current business operator)
Council may hold copies of building files and plans for Cairns properties, which can be helpful if you are looking to buy, sell or renovate. You may request a copy of your approved building plans ( PDF, 0.19 MB ), but Council cannot guarantee that all plans are available for older properties. The building file does not include sewerage or plumbing plans.
Sensitive security information (location of safes, public buildings, ATMs or bank buildings) can only be made available to the owner. Photo ID must be sighted and non-owners must supply either an Owner Permission Letter or a Contract of Sale before sensitive information can be released.
You can request details of sewer mains (As Constructed plans) and Trade Waste information. This service includes a search of Council’s electronic plumbing and drainage records, but Council does not perform a physical inspection of the premises in preparing this information .
Turnaround time for a sewer plan request is 2 business days. We will contact you if it is likely to take longer. All search fees are non-refundable and as Council may not hold the requested information, searches are ordered at your own discretion.
Limitation on plumbing and sewer plan records
Council was not required to record As Constructed house drainage information prior to April 1998 in un-sewered areas. If your property was bult in an un-sewered area pre-1998, it is unlikely Council will hold plumbing and sewer plans. To check if records are available before you order, please phone the Plumbing & Drainage team on 4044 8235 or email pladmin@cairns.qld.gov.au.
You can also view a range of different mapping layers by using Council's Maps Online tool.
A planning search (planning and development certificate) provides information on planning scheme provisions, infrastructure charges or agreements and development approvals that apply to a property. It does not include copies of development plans, nor will it state if the current use is lawful.
See below for more detailed information on the different planning searches.
To apply for a planning search, complete the online Land Record Search request (in our Online Self Service site) and pay the relevant fee. A separate application must be made for each individual property.
Limited Certificate - 5 business days
A limited planning and development certificate contains the following information for a premises.
- A summary of the provisions of any planning scheme or charges resolution applying specifically to the premises.
- If a TLPI applies to the premises and suspends or otherwise affects the operation of a planning scheme provision stated in paragraph (a) - a description of the way in which the TLPI suspends or otherwise affects the provision.
- If a variation approval is in effect for the premises - a description of the way in which the variation approval varies the effect of a planning scheme provision.
- If a State planning instrument applies to the premises - the name of the instrument.
- A description of any designation applying to the premises.
- A copy of any information recorded for the premises in the infrastructure charges register kept by the local government.
A standard planning and development certificate, in addition to the information contained in a limited planning and development certificate, contains the following information for premises:
- A copy of every decision notice or negotiated decision notice for a development approval in effect for the premises.
- Details of any changes made to a development approval in effect for the premises.
- Details of any approval given to extend the currency period of a development approval in effect for the premises.
- A copy of every deemed approval notice relating to the premises, if the development approval that the notice relates to has not lapsed.
- A copy of every continuing approval stated in the repealed IPA, section 6.1.23(1)(a) to (d) relating to, and in effect for, the premises, including any approval, consent or permission that, under the repealed LGP&E Act, section 8.10(8) was continued in effect as if it were an approval, consent or permission stated in the repealed IPA, section 6.1.23(1)(a) to (d).
- Details of any decision to approve or refuse an application to amend a planning scheme made under the repealed LGP&E Act, section 4.3, including any conditions of approval, relating to the premises.
- A copy of every compliance certificate given under the old Act relating to the premises and in effect at the time the standard planning and development certificate is given, including any changes made to the compliance certificate.
- A copy of any exemption certificate for development on the premises given by the local government under section 46 of the Act, including— (i) the day the certificate was given; and (ii) if the certificate is no longer in effect for the premises—the day it stopped having effect.
- A copy of any judgement or order of the P&E Court, a tribunal or a building and development dispute resolution committee under the old Act, about— (i) a development approval in effect for the premises; or (ii) a condition included in a compliance certificate in effect for the premises.
- A copy of any agreement that the local government is a party to about a development condition of a development approval in effect for the premises.
- A copy of any agreement that a referral agency is a party to about a development condition of a development approval in effect for the premises, if the local government has been given a copy of the agreement.
- A copy of any infrastructure agreement applying to the premises that the local government— (i) is a party to; or (ii) has received a copy of under section 153 of the Act.
- A description of each amendment, proposed to be made by the local government to its planning scheme, that has not yet been made at the time the certificate is given.
- If the premises are within a declared master planned area— (i) a copy of each master plan (a current master plan) applying to the premises that continues to have effect under section 315 of the Act; and (ii) a copy of each notice of decision or negotiated decision given under the old Act about a master plan application under that repealed Act for a current master plan; and (iii) a copy of any judgement or order of the P&E Court or a building and development committee under the old Act about a condition included in a current master plan.
- A copy of any decision notice given for a change application made under section 317 of the Act to change a rezoning condition that applies to the premises.
Declared master planned area means an area identified as a master planned area in a master planned area declaration. master planned area declaration means a declaration made under the old Act, section 133, as in force before the commencement of the Sustainable Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2012, section 29.
A full planning and development certificate, in addition to the information contained in a limited and standard certificate.
- If a relevant approval for the premises includes conditions (including conditions about the carrying out of works or the payment of money, other than under an infrastructure agreement) imposed, or required to be imposed, by the local government - a statement about the fulfilment or non-fulfilment of each condition, at a stated day after the day the certificate was applied for.
- If an infrastructure agreement applies to the premises and the local government is a party to the agreement - (i) details of the nature and extent of any obligations under the agreement that have not been fulfilled; and (ii) details of any security required under the agreement, including whether any payment required to be made under the security has been made.
- Details of any prosecution, or proceedings for a prosecution, for a development offence under the Act, the old Act or the repealed IPA relating to the premises that the local government is aware of.
A statement about the fulfilment or non-fulfilment of each condition of fulfilment (subsection (1)(a)) does not apply in relation to a condition of a relevant approval if the condition relates to the ongoing use of the premises.
The applicant may request that a full planning and development certificate be given without the information normally contained in a limited or standard planning and development certificate.
Relevant approval, for premises, means - development approval in effect for the premises; or a master plan applying to the premises that continues to have effect under section 315 of the Act.
A Letter of Enquiry is used to determine whether a residential unit can be used for permanent living or just holiday accommodation. This is used for those wishing to find out this information without having to purchase a standard certificate.
Please note that a Letter of Enquiry is not a legal substitute for a Standard Planning Certificate.
Complete the Land Record Search online application form to order a Letter of Enquiry. Fees apply.
Refer to the CairnsPlan 2016 Property Report Tool to determine if the Flood and Inundation Hazards Overlay is applicable to a particular property.
Even if the Overlay is not applicable, we recommend you request a Flood Zone and Stormwater Tide Information search via a Land Record Search (fees apply).
Easements and covenants are registered on the Certificate of Title and/or Survey Plan for each property. You can order a search online, by phone 1300 255 750 or 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or by emailing titlesinfo@dnrme.qld.gov.au. Fees apply.
A Building Envelope Plan over your property may affect how close you can build to your boundaries. Building Envelope Plans specify minimum setbacks and boundary clearance requirements, and aim to ensure that structures are positioned to protect (or have the least impact on) the amenity of neighbours and the character of a neighbourhood.
You can view Building Envelope Plans on our online mapping tool - visit Council’s Online Utility Services Maps. The plans are displayed as blue hatching. Click on the Plan link to display the Building Envelope Plan.
A Rates Search will also identify whether a Building Envelope Plan applies to a particular property. You can order this search online via Online Self Service Land Record Search Request (fees apply). Alternatively, you can contact Council’s Planning Approvals team during business hours on 1300 69 22 47 or email your request (including property details and your contact details) to planningadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Other than road reserves, all land within the Cairns region is given a zone under the CairnsPlan (planning scheme). The zone code determines what can be developed on a particular parcel of land. The Cairns Plan also contains overlays which apply to land that is sensitive to development, subject to constraints, contains valuable resources or presents opportunities for development.
Use the CairnsPlan 2016 Property Report Tool to determine the zone and overlays applicable to a property. You can search by street number, street name, lot number and plan number, or parcel number.
Two of the most common Overlays that affect residential development are the Hillslopes Overlay and Neighbourhood Character Overlay.
Hillslopes Overlay
Identifies areas that provide a scenic backdrop for the region. It ensures that development on hillslopes maintains this backdrop, while protecting the safety of people and property. Refer to the Dwelling Houses in the Hillslopes Overlay Factsheet ( PDF, 0.44 MB ) for more information.
Neighbourhood Character Overlay
Aims to maintain existing character elements which contribute to an area. It promotes development that is consistent with and sympathetic to the streetscape and neighbourhood character. If the property falls within the Neighbourhood Character Overlay, a development application may be required for any new building or an
Last Updated: 25 January 2024
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