From a home extension to a new development, we help you understand your options and navigate the approvals process.

Good planning starts
with the right questions.

We look at your property, your plans and the local planning requirements, then explain the options in plain language. From the first assessment to preparing and managing your application, we stay involved.

We work with property owners, designers, investors and developers to turn ideas into considered applications.

Find your starting point

What are you planning?

Every project starts with a question. Choose what you have in mind to see how we can help.

Make room for your plans.

Planning an extension or an extra dwelling? We check the planning controls and identify where council assessment or building certification needs to be considered.

Setbacks / site cover / overlays
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Development potential

Realise your property’s development potential.

From site acquisition to development planning, we help property owners, investors and developers understand what is achievable, make informed decisions and move forward with a clear planning strategy.

Find the right property

Assess prospective sites against your development objectives and identify planning risks before purchase.

Understand its potential

Explore additional dwellings, subdivision, redevelopment or alternative uses, taking account of zoning, overlays, existing approvals and planning scheme requirements.

Plan the approval pathway

Understand the development approvals, specialist inputs and key dependencies needed to progress your preferred option.

A clear basis for your next decision.

Get a clear view of the planning opportunities, the issues requiring further investigation and the recommended next steps. We help you understand the options before committing to a purchase or development.

Discuss your property’s potential

Share the address or lot/plan reference, whether you own the property or are considering buying it, and what you hope to achieve.

Services.

Practical support for the decisions and applications that move your project forward.

Development Applications

Planning a new use or a more intensive development? We identify the approval pathway, prepare the planning case and manage your development application.

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Subdivision & Lot Reconfiguration

Explore subdivision, boundary realignment or amalgamation, with advice on lot design, access, servicing and the reconfiguring a lot process.

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Changes to Existing Approvals

Plans changed? We review the existing approval and advise on minor change, other change and extension pathways where applicable.

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Property Due Diligence

Buying, leasing or investing? Understand the planning controls, approval history and development constraints behind the opportunity.

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Site Finding & Feasibility

We help identify suitable sites and assess development options, approval risk and the investigations needed before investing further.

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Short-term Accommodation

Considering holiday letting or hosted accommodation? We assess the local planning requirements and identify related approval questions.

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Our approach.

We start by listening to what you want to achieve. Then we work through the planning requirements, explain the choices and keep you informed as your application progresses.

01

Tell us what you have in mind

We discuss your property, your goals and the information needed to get started.

02

Understand the property

We check the zoning, planning controls and constraints that matter to your proposal.

03

Agree on the way forward

You get a clear explanation of the application route, supporting work and issues to consider.

04

Keep things moving

We prepare and lodge the application, coordinate notification where required and follow up with council and relevant agencies through to a decision.

Our projects.

Our projects include change of use applications for residential, commercial and industrial developments, as well as approvals for telecommunications facilities.

Australia

Common planning questions

A few questions that often come up at the start of a project.

Do I need a development approval?+

That depends on the proposed development and the rules applying to the land. Queensland distinguishes accepted, assessable and prohibited development. Accepted development can still have requirements, and separate building or other approvals may be necessary. We check the actual proposal against the relevant controls.

Is a material change of use the same as rezoning?+

No. A material change of use is a type of development under Queensland’s planning framework. The application pathway depends on the proposed use and the applicable assessment requirements. We identify the appropriate route rather than assuming the planning scheme’s zoning must be changed.

Can I subdivide my property?+

We assess subdivision through the reconfiguring a lot framework. Zoning, lot design, access, services, overlays and existing approvals all need consideration. An approved subdivision also needs implementation steps before new titles are created.

Is planning approval the same as building approval?+

No. A town planning review and building certification address different requirements. We explain the planning pathway and identify where a building certifier, designer or other specialist should be involved.

Can I use my property for short-term accommodation?+

The planning position depends on the property and the proposed operation. In Noosa, lawful planning rights must be established before a short stay letting local law approval is obtained. Other councils have their own requirements. Check the approval history before buying or advertising.

Can Planco review a property before I buy?+

Yes. We review the planning framework, available approval history and likely application requirements against your intended strategy. Early planning advice helps focus the next investigations alongside your legal, technical and financial due diligence.

Our offices.

Reinier Hanekom, Managing Director and Principal Planner at Planco

THE PERSON BEHIND PLANCO

Reinier Hanekom.

Managing Director & Principal Planner

Reinier brings over 15 years of town planning experience across South Africa and Australia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a postgraduate qualification in Sustainable Development.

He works with property owners, architects and developers on planning due diligence, development feasibility and planning applications, helping them understand their options and navigate approvals.

Speak to Reinier

Let’s talk
about your plans.

Send us the property address or lot/plan reference and a few words about what you have in mind. We’ll help you work out where to start.

Image credits

Noosa: Noosa National Park 2019 by Tsctc2019, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and cropped to fit; the photograph retains this licence.

Planning Insights photographs from Pexels: David McBee, SHOX ART, Angie Reyes and Clodoaldo Franco. Licensed under the Pexels licence. Editorial illustrations, not photographs of Planco projects.