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Development application referrals

For some types of developments, you need to apply for a development permit and consult with a Referral Agency who can give recommendations and advice on the conditions of an application.

We have a role as a Referral Agency for development applications under the Development Assessment Rules of the Planning Act 2016.

This means we may ask an applicant for more details on the development, and/or request Council to impose conditions of approval on a development application. In rare cases, we may recommend refusal of an application.

If your planned development is located near to powerlines and/or a substation it is vital that it doesn’t pose any risk to the safe operation of the network, or the safety of the community. Unmanaged development around electrical infrastructure can result in injury or loss of life.

Types of development we are a Referral Agency for

We will be triggered as a Referral Agency in the following situations:

  • Reconfiguring a lot, if any part of the lot is subject to one of our easements and/or located within 100 metres of a substation site
  • Material change of use of premises, if any part of the premises is subject to one of our easements and/or is situated within 100 metres of one of our substation sites
  • Operational work (filling or excavation) at premises, if any part of the premises is subject to one of our easements and the work is located completely or partly within the easement and/or the work is located completely or partly within 10 metres of a substation site.

For a full list of referral triggers, please see Schedule 10 of the Planning Regulation 2017. And, for more information about working safely near powerlines, please see our powerlines safety information.

How to refer a development application

If your development application requires referral to us, please send the development application documentation to:

Attention: Town Planning
Ergon Energy
GPO Box 1461
Brisbane QLD 4001

Alternatively you can email us at townplanning@ergon.com.au (only recommended for files under 10MB).

Enquiry form

Have a question? If you’d like to make an enquiry regarding electricity infrastructure (e.g. easements and substations) referral requirements, please complete our online Development Application Referral Enquiry Form.

Please allow 15 business days for our response.

More information

SARA is an agency of the State Government which delivers a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to the state’s assessment of development applications. SARA may be either the assessment manager or a Referral Agency for development applications where the state has a jurisdiction. However referrals are often also required for other agencies, including us. For example, an applicant may need to refer a development application to both the SARA and to us.

Under the Planning Regulation 2017, we are triggered as a Referral Agency for a development that would potentially affect the operation of the electricity distribution network.

For more information, refer to our Referral Fact Sheet - Planning Act 2016 (PDF 471.3 kb).

Substations

Bulk supply substations and zone substations require referral. A bulk supply or zone substation distributes high voltage electricity throughout the network. The below images depict the general scale and characteristics of a bulk supply or zone substation within our electricity network.

Easements

Developments on land affected by easements that are owned by us, or our predecessor companies, will need to be referred to us if triggered in accordance with Schedule 10 of the Planning Regulation 2017.

Low Voltage Transformers and Service Pillars

Transformers receive 11kV supply from zone substations and transform electricity to lower voltages suitable for residential, commercial and industrial uses. Service pillars represent a physical point of connection for customers to the network.

The below images depict the general scale and characteristics of transformers (which can be both pad or pole mounted) and service pillars within our electricity network.

A green service pillar box11kV pole regulatorA padmount transformer on a concrete slab

Electricity easements are corridors of land that allow us clear access at any time to construct, operate, inspect, maintain and repair our powerlines and other network infrastructure. They also keep powerlines at a safe distance from other land uses and structures.

Landowners still own the land used for an easement, however they are restricted in how they can use and develop it.

You can find out if there is an easement over a property by doing a title search at Titles Queensland.

Sometimes there may be powerlines and other network assets on privately owned property but no easement. While there’s no need for formal referral in these cases, you should still consider our electricity infrastructure and where it is on the property to ensure the development complies with all safety requirements, as outlined in the Electrical Safety Act 2002 or Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.

Our current easements include those held by the regional Queensland electricity distribution companies that were amalgamated in 1999 to form Ergon Energy. These are:

  • Far North Queensland Electricity Board (FNQEB)
  • North Queensland Electricity Board (NORQEB)
  • Mackay Electricity Board (MEB)
  • Capricornia Electricity (CAPELEC)
  • Wide Bay-Burnett Electricity Board (WBBEC)
  • South West Queensland Electricity Board (South West Power).

A bulk supply or zone substation distributes high voltage electricity throughout the network. Substation sites don’t include pole mounted substations, transformers or voltage regulators, or pad mounted substations or transformers.

Bulk supply substations and zone substations require referral for planning and development activities.

The below images show the general scale and characteristics of a bulk supply or zone substation within our network.

A substation at BirkdaleA substation

Infrastructure Designation is a Queensland Government planning approval process that seeks the approval of the Planning Minister to identify land for community infrastructure (including network infrastructure), such as a new powerline or substation. It's important to protect land that is subject to an Infrastructure Designation.

Where a Development Application is affected by an Infrastructure Designation, it is referred to the State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA), who is then responsible for providing a response to the applicant. SARA may also require information or involvement from us where appropriate in the planning process, and prior to providing a response.

Incompatible development can make land unsuitable for the purposes it was designated for. It can also place additional cost on the community should buildings need to be moved later (e.g. residential buildings within an easement for a future powerline are not appropriate).

When an Infrastructure Designation is involved, SARA is the only assessing referral authority required. However, we are often called upon to provide SARA with any technical input. We are happy to receive pre-lodgement enquiries from development applicants to help resolve issues before lodgement. You can email us at townplanning@ergon.com.au.